Miri Krismas, Magbigay Ka
14 Dec 2009 1 Comment
in Rants Tags: Christmas, Pinoy, Rants
This afternoon on my way to the wagwagans near the public market I passed on an overpass where the blind men usually play musical instruments and beg for alms. Chained on the railing was a brand new electric guitar with a paper cup fastened on its neck and a cheap amplifier (the sort that you could buy at local stores for your karaoke machine). On my way home and on another Baguio overpass, I encountered a blind man who had a plaque card hung on his neck that said: MIRI KRISMAS, MAGBIGAY KAYO. He played an electronic keyboard.
What I saw was enough to convince me that these beggars are like those in India portrayed by the movie Slumdog Millionaire who are part of some syndicate group who take advantage of these people and their disabilities(which they themselves inflicted) so they can selfishly earn money. When I was in my grade school years, older folk usually told me not to give alms to these blind beggars not only because of their involvement in a scam, but also because it encourages familiarity and motivates them to beg even more. The sad part is that the alms they receive are taken from them by the ‘managers’ of the syndicate group they’re in and they are left with scraps if not nothing altogether. I’ve been instructed to give them food rather than money. Because of these I learned not to trust and encourage these unfortunates.
Nevertheless, I could not help but feel sorry for the blind man from this afternoon and obligated to give him a few of my loose change. Quite hypocritical eh? Yeah, probably. Maybe I should have given him a sandwich or something he could fill his stomach with for a few hours. Maybe I will next time. Anyway, as I look back to my walk towards the jeepney station at Perfecto Street, I imagine what their Christmas must be like. No carols, no gifts, no traditional food like puto bung bong, queso de bola and hamon, no feasts, no fireworks, no love, no nothing. Having realized this made me thankful that I am fortunate to have a family who loves me to spend the holidays with, and food to fill this stomach of mine that always seems to want more food.
I think we who can have and do have what these beggars can only wish to have should be grateful. If you aren’t, take a good long look at the beggars around you who go crazy and have no home and turn to the spoils of fast food chains and garbage to satisfy their hunger. You’re something else(and something i don’t want to be acquainted with) if what you see doesn’t move you.
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Jan 08, 2010 @ 15:28:27
There will definitely be people around us that we may encounter whose plights may break our hearts to pieces or move us to purposeful action, if we but open our eyes and hearts.