REFLECTION

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As we go through the hurdles that 2022 will bring, perhaps it is also good to pause for a while and reflect. Reflection could help organize what seems to be a clash due to needs over wants.

At this time that the world has been living with the pandemic for the past two years already, there must now be a realization that life should be lived with care and meaning. 

While true that everyone is gifted by time but tomorrow is never promised. There are 24-hours in a day, seven days in a week, and 30-days in a month to complete the year cycle for 2022, and in between these periods one could either leave or come to life. Therefore, it would be good to know your sense of purpose, your mission in life because in this period of uncertainty anyone can go ahead of anyone. And for people living with uncertainty, they easily forget. Thus, you can either be forgotten after a month or you could be remembered for your support and what you have contributed.

So before missing the chance in this winding road, step up in putting extra meaning to life and living as not everyone gives value to waking up in the morning. This writer is no different to most people, as there are days that I look at life narrowly, and there are moments in a day that I can also feel the world, from their predicament to challenges. 

Truly, ordinary people are too small to do a quick change but if people would agree to make a common stand on how the people and the world should view and value life in this era, there is a chance to make it happen and instill change.

 

Plus if you will include God in your day-to-day activities it would be better, because with Him you can lift up all your troubles and worries (Jeremiah 29:11) that you can not easily share with anyone. 

HUMAN RESILIENCE

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The ability to cope with sadness, tragedies, and circumstances are among the many gifts God has given to mankind. The health crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has been with us globally for the last two years has truly affected everyone be it physically, socially, psychologically, or economically. 

In fact, even the superpower nations like the United States, European countries, and China were not spared from the effects of COVID and so, neither are the ordinary people. The International Labour Organization (ILO), identified that at least 81 million jobs were lost in 2020 in the Asia-Pacific Region. While a study from the Statistical Research Department (SRD) claimed that in the Philippines 64% of households surveyed said a member of their family lost a job due to the pandemic. 

Credit to the owner of the photo Anastasiia Chepinska Please check her site.

With the current state of poverty in the country, the closing of national, city, and provincial borders during the first year of COVID-19 definitely hurt the economy, the people, and the businesses including the delivery of services in the rural and urban communities. The challenge to provide food, healthcare, employment, transportation, and safety has become very difficult. And two years into this crisis, still the health experts could not say how long the pandemic would survive our surface.

Thus, making it harder for people who have lost family members, employment, businesses,  and to be physically separated from loveness including those who were tested positive to slowly recover. Although, admittedly, the chances of moving on these days are more possible as 115, 303, 412 doses were administered in the country. Of which 1, 035, 197 doses were given to Filipinos on January 11, 2022. However, with the ongoing surge of the Omicron variant, once again the attempt to push the economy once again has been halted.

The people have become more and more restless and desperate in finding ways to meet the requirements of every family, as well as, to reach out and to console others are way too challenging not to include the demand for food, house rental, utility bills, medical needs, and education were among the top considerations. Thus, an income for every household is crucial to sustaining the basic requirements to survive in this period of a pandemic. And this applies not only to ordinary people but also to the likes of comedian Pokwang, and singer/host Billy Crawford who had to consider moving on to other networks to provide for their families.

A report by The Borgen Project explained that in a country like the Philippines, the pandemic has brought so much fear as Filipinos by nature are a close-knit family and receptive community. Therefore, social isolation, general fear factor, and uncertainty have greatly impacted people's mental wellness.

Although the health authorities are still suggesting to remain at home and avoid person-to-person contact, I believe it is necessary for everyone to take this as an opportunity to adapt to the new normal, by starting to transition to online and social media. Though these platforms appear to be difficult, young and old must accommodate as this is the new way of living now, so as to stay connected without risking one's safety. 

Credit to the owner of photo Onder Ortel.
Please browse Ondeer Ortel page. 

Do something not for other people but for yourself. Start fighting your fears by reaching out to family members, relatives, colleagues, friends, or anyone you know that could be in need of assistance. There may be people who are reluctant to seek help. Utilize your cellular phones, private messages, video calls, even the landlines to get connected and communicate to people. Remember no one is an island. 

Also, it helps to level up a bit more your personal relationship with the almighty. Whatever your religion is, it doesn't matter as long as you talk to Him. Offer your fears and troubles and request for His intervention in your life, relationship and situation because God always listens. Try it, ask Him to be with you as you face your troubles.☺

ARCADE GAME

It has always been a wish as I was growing up in the '80s that Tatay Manuel would once again bring me to Kalaw Street in Manila, and let me play at what he introduced to me as an Arcade Center. 

I cannot remember my age when I felt privileged to have entered that magnificent place, only the overwhelming joy of riding and maneuvering that electronic car called Bump Car that to this day I still love to experience. 

In the late '90s when I was already working in a radio station I would always treat myself after payroll to an arcade center. Since I am from Sta Ana, Manila it's a toss between Timezone and Tom's World which can be both found and enjoyed at Robinson's Manila. When Tom's World then still has the Bump Car I would frequently visit their store as I enjoy driving.

Truly, the excitement, fun, and joy that the arcade games provide are immeasurable. Five years ago, I suffered from a minor stroke, and as a consequence, my right body suffered physical deformity. Gladly, after some time it slowly went back to its usual form. However, Dr. Rob, my attending Neurologist at that time explained that not all will return to their old form. 

Photo of Iram Bueno, former Batch '91 President of MMMHS.
Please check MacJoy Cactus & Succulents Garden 

Dr. Rob has recommended that I help myself by doing the chores and activities I usually do before the stroke. While it will be tougher on me because of my health condition, it will eventually be beneficial to my body. As such, going to the arcade to play ball shooting, billiards, Pacman and other arcade games did help improve my physical development, even my speech that was also affected. 

Noting the inherent benefits of arcade gaming not only to children but also to adults for according to studies gaming stimulates and gives comfort to the brain that cannot be acquired through routine exercise. And I must agree that I indeed benefit from arcade gaming's improved cognitive abilities, reflexes, and muscle memory, and mostly it helps reduce stress and depression.

These perhaps are among the many reasons why to this day you can still see senior citizens or even adult professionals or couples taking time to enjoy and play at the arcades be it TIMEZONE or Tom's World as they not only bring comfort to mind and body but it also takes you back to your youth.