Homesickness, Vacation and AutoLoad

Homesickness, Vacation and AutoLoad

“To state it on a romantic level, I go there to further my roots, to look again at old, familiar places, to listen to a language I rarely use. To be pretentious about it, I go there to refurbish memory; it is this memory, collective in nature, which, after all makes a nation. In plain words, I am just homesick.” --- F. Sionil Jose “Why are we Poor? (Termites in the Sala, Heroes in the Attic)

The verdict for Erap’s plunder case may have been the completion of the gradual process of disillusionment towards journalism. One of the many reasons why I have been fascinated with the works of journalists during my callous teenage years was because through journalism: I will be able to voice out my opinions towards the infamous leader. I realized that journalism is not just an eloquence and articulation. It is also about politics and marketing. In fact, most audience today prefers journalist/model/celebrities. There seems to be a merging of the news division and the entertainment division. This is one of the realities in journalism. I could also mention ageism, where network executives are terminating old news anchors in placed for the youthful looking models/journalists/celebrities.

In a sense, I still enjoy writing. However, I would not consider it as a source of livelihood. Such notion would be against my pragmatic side. I am glad I chose nursing. I told Arriz, one of my college friends in the University Of Santo Tomas (UST), that my attitude towards nursing has undergone its reformation. During my freshman in UST, I was not a staunch and a supportive nursing student. As I am saying, the disillusionment on journalism was gradual. I went for a drive on my Alma Mater: UST. It was 11 pm, but I can see how a school can change in six years. Arriz told me that there are rumors that UST hospital was bought by a German-based company, and one could only ask on how the charity purpose of the hospital would still push through .Parking structures is a bleak phrase for improvement. The parking structure near the engineering building was constructed, and there are already in-campus establishments and restaurants (KFC, chowking etc.). Arguably, corporate based commercialism have inched their ways towards scholarly institutions.

The days of my vacation on the Philippines are fleeting. It seems to be trickling down the drain. I do not dread to work back. in the hospital. I maybe compared to a child who is having separation anxiety. The attachments to my roots, and to the extended family I am leaving behind are galvanized. In the 6 years that I have live in the United States of America, I realized that an incontrovertible sense of Filipino identity and culture is much more important. Acculturation to some of the American Culture is important under the banner of conformity.

I consider my trip to SM Mall of Asia to be disappointing. I heard great comments and advertisements about it back in the US. I was dashed. It is seemed to be structured like any malls in the US. I find it similar to Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga: the same exquisite but overpriced establishment and goods. I thought it would be representative and specific to the Pinoy culture on Malls, such as the mall I grew up with: SM North Edsa. I find the Trinoma Mall to be Pinoy Culture Specific. Pinoy culture specificity refers to the notion that you can go to malls even if you are just there to hang out and window shop. The money one could have is just enough for the public transportation fares and the budget meals in Jollibee and McDo. Pinoys can find happiness on such simplicity.

I bought a Globe SIM for P65. Cellphones, specifically, text messaging has been part of the Pinoy culture. Abraham Maslow may have to modify his hierarchy of needs and put text messaging on the bottom of the triangle as it applies to Filipinos. For instance, some teenagers argue that it is easier and affordable to text message and deliver snippets of affection, than to date, and deal with the traffic and expensive public transportation fares (P7.50 is the minimum jeepney fare as of press time).

I am enjoying every minute of my vacation. I now like wet humidity. As I go through the days of my fleeting vacation, I realized that the sages were correct: cultural identity is the key.