When I took up law, I learned that I have so much to learn. The advantage of being a law student does not lie on the assumption that you are better than the others, knowing a little of something that others do not just boosts up your morale.
No matter where you are, you would agree that you will see children and families begging for money, for something to eat, for mercy. The fourth day of my perspective series is about charity. I will try to avoid sounding legalese but a discussion of some legal terms is necessary to express my idea thoroughly.
Presidential Decree No. 1563 is the law intended to control and eradicate mendicancy because it is declared that mendicancy breeds crime, creates traffic hazards, endangers health, and exposes mendicants to indignities and degradation. Section 3(a) of the law defines a mendicant as any person, except those enumerated in Section 4 of this Decree, who has no visible and legal means of support, or lawful employment and who is physically able to work but neglects to apply himself to some lawful calling and instead uses begging as a means of living.
It is not enough to know who and what a mendicant is but more importantly it is imperative to take note that the law provides for criminal liability against the mendicant, the parents of exploited minors and of course the persons who give alms to the mendicants. Yes, you heard it right; giving alms to mendicants is a violation of this law. I will quote the last paragraph of Section 5 of the law “Any person who abets mendicancy by giving alms directly to mendicants, exploited infants and minors on public roads, sidewalks, parks and bridges shall be punished by a fine not exceeding P20.00.”
Despite the seemingly obsolescent penalty of P20.00, the fact remains that supporting mendicancy by giving alms is punishable. Thus, when I went to C&E publishing to get the books which I reserved, I pitied the children draped with almost nothing while soaked in the rain. I was torn between obeying the law and exercising acts of charity.
Good thing was one of the children offered to get me a taxi, which I instantly appreciated. When I was seated comfortably, I reached inside my pocket and gave her some coins. She said “salamat kuya”, then the taxi went off. I felt satisfied for when I pondered, I concluded that the child was not a mendicant because at the time I gave her some coin, it was in payment for the service that she performed. Facio ut des. Charity without violating any law.
Adsum
12.17.2011
12:13 pm
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Perspective: Day 3 (Impression) 12.16.2011
If given a chance to change one of my characters, I will willingly let go my being an “impressionist”. By being an impressionist I meant having a negative first impression against someone which I tend to carry against or in favor of that person for forever, so that whatever that person says or does will be construed by my pity self negatively.
I understand we all feel the same way at some point. Let us take this arrogant man whom I heard ignites fire. We haven’t even talked but because of what I heard and what he did to my friend, I started to dislike this person. I never even imagined being with his company. Another person is the charlatan, the know-it-all kind of man. I can not explain but since day one, his aura reverberated pomp which I cannot take. There is also this kid which voice I did not like so that every time he utters a word, I suffer from internal turmoil which myself created. The bossy lady who imposes all her ideas without considering the opinion of others also comes within the list and so on and so forth.
At first I tried to justify such reaction by believing that it is rational, by believing that my impressions are true and by believing that I can not change my impression because it’s my natural human reflex. However, after giving myself a chance to reach out and know the people I hated, I realized that being so much of an impressionist has burdened me.
By some twist of fate, I was able to talk with one of the victims of my impression. As the conversation progressed, I admitted to myself, maybe I was wrong all along. I came to ponder on the fact that people were created differently so that there is a natural tendency for people to treat and react to others differently. A person’s treatment to my friends may differ when it come to me and vice versa. It all boils down to sensitivity and responding to the people around you.
Today I learned to let go of associating an impression to a particular person. I learned to be selfless by considering what the others feel instead of thinking what you feel towards others. I learned to stop expecting a particular response to your deeds because when the response you receive is not commensurate to your expectation frustration fills in. When frustrated, you forget to appreciate the wonders offered by your environment. Instead you become trapped inside a world of frustration that you yourself created.
Today I will have a new perspective. Today I will let go of the monster in me.
Adsum
12.17.2011
10:47 am
I understand we all feel the same way at some point. Let us take this arrogant man whom I heard ignites fire. We haven’t even talked but because of what I heard and what he did to my friend, I started to dislike this person. I never even imagined being with his company. Another person is the charlatan, the know-it-all kind of man. I can not explain but since day one, his aura reverberated pomp which I cannot take. There is also this kid which voice I did not like so that every time he utters a word, I suffer from internal turmoil which myself created. The bossy lady who imposes all her ideas without considering the opinion of others also comes within the list and so on and so forth.
At first I tried to justify such reaction by believing that it is rational, by believing that my impressions are true and by believing that I can not change my impression because it’s my natural human reflex. However, after giving myself a chance to reach out and know the people I hated, I realized that being so much of an impressionist has burdened me.
By some twist of fate, I was able to talk with one of the victims of my impression. As the conversation progressed, I admitted to myself, maybe I was wrong all along. I came to ponder on the fact that people were created differently so that there is a natural tendency for people to treat and react to others differently. A person’s treatment to my friends may differ when it come to me and vice versa. It all boils down to sensitivity and responding to the people around you.
Today I learned to let go of associating an impression to a particular person. I learned to be selfless by considering what the others feel instead of thinking what you feel towards others. I learned to stop expecting a particular response to your deeds because when the response you receive is not commensurate to your expectation frustration fills in. When frustrated, you forget to appreciate the wonders offered by your environment. Instead you become trapped inside a world of frustration that you yourself created.
Today I will have a new perspective. Today I will let go of the monster in me.
Adsum
12.17.2011
10:47 am
Perspective: Day 2 (Faith) 12.15.2011
I do not want to consider this as another jeepney story though it all happened in a jeep. Last Thursday, I was to attend an exclusive Christmas party but due to the painstaking and laborious labor law review exam and recitation and the fact that I did not have the fund yet I was not able to buy a gift for my Manito in advance. Actually I did not worry because he was leaving for Leyte, so I said maybe I can give it next year. By good riddance our class ended early to give way for the scheduled class Christmas party (which by the way, I did not attend). Upon knowing of SM’s extended mall hours, I immediately proceeded there without even thinking of what to buy. It was 6:30 pm, while on the jeep, I prayed to God that he deliver me safely and on time. I also asked Him for a minute so I will be able to hand my gift to my Manito.
After my swift shopping, my primary concern was to get to the venue on time. The taxi line was so long, so I decided to take a jeep and then taxi after. I was seated near the driver and for the whole duration of the ride, I was just praying for a minute—a minute so that I will be able to hand my gift before my Manito leaves.
I repeated the same mantra all through out, I claimed it in God’s name and entrusted everything to Him. I gave all the impatience to him. At that point, I was tested—my faith was tested.
When I arrived at the venue, to my awe and amazement, my Manito was there because the ship was not allowed voyage due to the impending threat of typhoon Sendong. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways. I asked for a minute, He gave me hours. I asked for support, He gave me unconditional help. I asked for favor, He flooded me with assistance.
Today I learned the true meaning of faith. We should change our perspective towards entrusting everything, especially the impossible to Him. Today and the days onward, I will shout, proclaim and claim that all will be possible if we ask and be humble enough to recognize that there is someone Supreme willing and ready to lend His hand.
Adsum
12.17.2011
8:54 am
After my swift shopping, my primary concern was to get to the venue on time. The taxi line was so long, so I decided to take a jeep and then taxi after. I was seated near the driver and for the whole duration of the ride, I was just praying for a minute—a minute so that I will be able to hand my gift before my Manito leaves.
I repeated the same mantra all through out, I claimed it in God’s name and entrusted everything to Him. I gave all the impatience to him. At that point, I was tested—my faith was tested.
When I arrived at the venue, to my awe and amazement, my Manito was there because the ship was not allowed voyage due to the impending threat of typhoon Sendong. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways. I asked for a minute, He gave me hours. I asked for support, He gave me unconditional help. I asked for favor, He flooded me with assistance.
Today I learned the true meaning of faith. We should change our perspective towards entrusting everything, especially the impossible to Him. Today and the days onward, I will shout, proclaim and claim that all will be possible if we ask and be humble enough to recognize that there is someone Supreme willing and ready to lend His hand.
Adsum
12.17.2011
8:54 am
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Perspective: Day 1 (Positivity) 12.14.2011
In a jeepney, why do people hate to sit behind or at the seat nearest to the driver? Various plausible answers are available. One, a person want to save time and distance (not to mention, the hassle in passing through legs and baggage of other passengers) in alighting. Two, some feel comfortable to sit in the rear end to save themselves from the discomfort of claustrophobia. Third, people would not want to serve as the “collector”—the medium through which the fare pass from the passenger to the driver and from the driver to the passenger.
The third reason is understandable because some of our co-passengers are insensitive to the feelings of others. Some forget to use words of request, instead brandish a tone order sans humility. Still some are just born proud that a simple request for help is construed as a humungous sacrifice.
In my quest for self development and transformation, I challenged myself to change my perspective—love what I hate, understand the enigmatic, smile when I am desperate. It has been an open secret that the true key to success lies in one’s attitude towards the events confronting him. So that, sitting behind or near the driver should be viewed in a positive way. Instead of avoiding that seat, grab it and fight for that little space because by occupying that part of the jeep you are rendering service to your fellow men. I made a resolution that instead of boggling my mind about the smirk of the people whom you pass on your fare or the yell of the people passing to you their fare, let it pass and think of the great favor you are giving them and the contribution who give to the social group you are in.
At the end of the day, you will realize how lucky you are because you are able to experience riding a jeep, seeing people around you while communicating with them. You should also learn to appreciate the simple things you see and the people you interact because these are the blessings scattered around which remain unnoticed. If you view things in that perspective, you will not be mindful of the scorching heat, or the settling dust, of the deafening noise, or the long wait. Most importantly, every time you step down that jeep, you will realize that instead of losing a part of you, the fact is you gained more—more fulfillment and altruism.
Adsum
12.15.2011
4:34 pm
The third reason is understandable because some of our co-passengers are insensitive to the feelings of others. Some forget to use words of request, instead brandish a tone order sans humility. Still some are just born proud that a simple request for help is construed as a humungous sacrifice.
In my quest for self development and transformation, I challenged myself to change my perspective—love what I hate, understand the enigmatic, smile when I am desperate. It has been an open secret that the true key to success lies in one’s attitude towards the events confronting him. So that, sitting behind or near the driver should be viewed in a positive way. Instead of avoiding that seat, grab it and fight for that little space because by occupying that part of the jeep you are rendering service to your fellow men. I made a resolution that instead of boggling my mind about the smirk of the people whom you pass on your fare or the yell of the people passing to you their fare, let it pass and think of the great favor you are giving them and the contribution who give to the social group you are in.
At the end of the day, you will realize how lucky you are because you are able to experience riding a jeep, seeing people around you while communicating with them. You should also learn to appreciate the simple things you see and the people you interact because these are the blessings scattered around which remain unnoticed. If you view things in that perspective, you will not be mindful of the scorching heat, or the settling dust, of the deafening noise, or the long wait. Most importantly, every time you step down that jeep, you will realize that instead of losing a part of you, the fact is you gained more—more fulfillment and altruism.
Adsum
12.15.2011
4:34 pm
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