I was riding a ferry on my way to
an island when I was seated beside a man, perhaps in his mid-30s, munching his
big-sized junk food. I knew he was done with his snack when he crumpled the
plastic pack and stood up, probably to throw it into the trash can in front of
us. To my surprise, the man threw the trash into the sea. I was a second late
when I called his attention. Despite being younger and smaller in physique, I
shouted at him saying why would he throw it into the sea when the trash can was
just a meter away from him. The man hurriedly transferred to another spot
without opening his mouth, his face turned red out of embarrassment.
I was plying a busy and narrow
street one night when a passenger jeepney, whose tail lights were not working,
suddenly stopped to pick up a passenger in the middle of the road. A couple of
inches more and my car would have collided with it. When I had the chance to
overtake him, I rolled my window down and told him to position his car properly
the next time he picks up a passenger. He responded with a curse then yelled at
me saying I should mind my own business because he is just doing his job.
Enraged, I cursed back at him and told him to do his job properly.
I was about to cross an
intersection when the vehicle in front of me and another one in the opposite
direction had a stand-off, completely blocking the intersection. No one wanted
to give way as they were passing the blame at each other. As vehicles starting
to pile up, I went out of my car and took the initiative to solve the impasse.
I told the driver of the car in the opposite direction to give way since his
lane has the space to do it. He refused and told me that it should be the other
car since it was not his fault. I made him realize that a dozen more cars would
be trapped if they continue their petty fault-finding. He finally gave way
without further objection.
But these are the few times when
good takes a jab at evil. And sure we all have experienced these:
It was the usual afternoon rush
when cars, including mine, were on an extended standstill. Out of nowhere, a
motorcyclist hit my right side mirror. Instead of stopping, the driver zoomed
away without even acknowledging the wrong that he just committed.
I was on my way home when a
street child, probably five years old, climbed on my car and insisted that I
give him money. When I refused, he gave me the most solid “putang ina mo!” When I alighted, he ran away, still cursing.
I hailed a taxi cab one day and
went inside immediately. But the driver asked my destination first before
proceeding. When I told him, he arrogantly asked me to leave. Annoyed, I step
outside and closed the door as hard as I can. The driver alighted his cab,
checked his window then approached me and threatened to break my face if I had
broken his window.
Unfortunately, these are the many
times when evil somersaults good. And so I ask myself: Do Filipinos not know
how to throw trash properly? Don’t we have respect to laws and ordinances?
Don’t we know how to acknowledge our own mistakes? Don’t we know the concept of
courtesy and civility? Are our manners deteriorating as years go by? Maybe it’s
time to revisit how we teach good manners and right conduct. Maybe the
so-called GMRC is not enough to be taught, maybe it has to be shown. It should
be shown.
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