Malu Fernandez and OFWs

It is an unusually long day at the office, until my officemate asked me if I've already read the controversial Malu Fernandez’ article, “From Boracay to Greece”, published on the People Asia magazine. Filipino bloggers and OFW groups have been lambasting this (former?) writer of Manila Standard and of People Asia for demeaning Overseas Filipino Workers in her lifestyle article with her "Mean Girls" slant. (What kind of magazine would dare waste two pages on articles of this kind.)

I remember one speech of late Blas Ople who, while he was the Secretary of Foreign Affairs at the time, issued a strong statement to ambassadors and staff in Philippine embassies that they do not have any right to degrade OFWs.

Well, that is for the diplomats. But for Filipino writers like her who outrightly show their own foolishness by belittling other Filipinos, they deserve more than a million hate mails.

word for the day

Yep, one of my most-visited sites is the Merriam-Webster Online. Sounds too nerdy... but this is a proven useful tool for writers. My first Yahoo mail was mostly filled up with the Merriam-Webster "word of the day" subscriptions that I need to take time to transfer them all off to one document file during my 'mail clean-up' modes such as this time. Going through each message, I noticed some words like these:

1. props

You'd always hear this word whenever when there is a stage play, especially during elementary years. Props, as in stage props or "something used in creating or enhancing a desired effect."

But according to their email subscription, it's used informally - short for "proper dues." It is "something that is said to publicly thank and give special attention to someone for doing something - credit or recognition. Like, "Props to everyone that made this movie a success."

It can also mean "respect," as in "The lawyer earned our props with an outstanding performance in court."

There is also that "mad props" to mean "very enthusiastic praise."

2. doohickey

If you're so used to "whatchamacallits" or "thingamajigs," you can use "doohickey" for an object or device whose name you do not know or have forgotten.

For example, "I need one of those doohickeys with the long handles."

There are also a lot of common words that were surprisingly included in the word-for-the-day subscription, such as draft, typical, delight. And there are some that you may never use in your lifetime. Oh well, just another dagdag-kaalaman for the day.

Currently Listening All of the Above By Hillsong United My Future Decided see related

to a mourning soul

What can you possibly say to someone who's loved one has just passed away? I have a friend who lost his newborn child and his wife a few days ago, and I can't seem to find the words to say. I know, based on personal experience, that nothing, nobody, could ever comfort me, than God's soothing words promising me, "I have a plan. I have a plan."

And of course I would not dare say this one - and this should be the last thing a mourning person wants to hear - "Tanggapin mo na." These words are still ringing in my ears until now. 

You just know that you should get over it, but hearing these words at the instance when you were in the middle of all the drama, with the band of bugles and trumpets in the background, as that would be the last day you'd see your father's remains. "Could I just have this moment of mourning? Could you just please give me this time to cry my last for Papa?"

In the province, it's a common sight of people, neighbors, mga "nakikiramay," playing cards or bingo until the wee hours of the morning. The minute I arrived at our house and saw these people, I wanted to do what Jesus did - I have the earnest desire to turn over the tables and shove the people around and say, 'How dare you do these things here?!' Really, no joke. But if the dead was just someone not emotionally attached to you, you would not care less and then join the bingo crowd.

There is, indeed, a time of mourning - and you can never get away with it, pretending you're okay. And you can't just overcome that grief without ever having to express it. How about the crying-it-all-out therapy? (Could I tell him, "Iiyak mo lang 'yan lahat?" - Not!)

I remembered that the song "Still" was playing in my mind minutes after my aunt broke the news about Papa. I can really say I was at peace. And that is one of my testimonies wherein God's grace is more than enough for me to smile and be calm amidst the uncertainties of the future with Papa no longer with us physically. It's like God stripping away things, shaking everything in you, so that the unshakable will remain. 

The death of a loved one is not merely a soul-crushing, painful experience. 

And so I have encouraged him with God's promises and plans... prayed for comfort and peace...

Up to now, I'm still thinking of what else to say. Or better yet, I just leave it all up to God to work in his heart.

Currently Listening All of the Above By Hillsong United Desperate People see related

where art thou

when you receive an office memo & it's plain injustice

"I am the One who strengthens you. Why should you fear mortals, who are no more enduring than grass? Have you forgotten the Lord who made you, who stretched out the heavens and laid the eart's foundations? Why should you live in constant fear of the fury of those who oppress you, of those who are ready to destroy you? Their fury can no longer touch you. Those who are prisoners will soon be set free; they will live a long life and have all the food they need. I am the Lord your God; I stir up the sea and make its waves roar. My name is the Lord Almighty! I stretched out the heaves and laid the earth's foundations. I say to Jerusalem, 'Your are my child!' I have given you my teaching, and I protect you with My hand." - Isa. 51:12-16