The Distressed Wave

Two weeks ago, we embarked on our first Road-Trip to Toronto to visit our kids and grandkids. 

Mur googled our route. We will spend our first night at Thunder Bay. Our second night should be at Hampton Inn at Sadbury, skipping Sault Ste. Marie. That’s two hours less. And by midday the next day, we reach Toronto. 

As a passenger, I keep my wife/driver alert and amused. It’s a bonus I enjoyed the roadside’s scenic beauty; it’s lakes and rock mountains formation. 

I am puzzled. It’s funny how they named their towns and localities. A town called Serendipity amused me. I forgot what the word means. 

I asked Mur. 

She said. “It’s a movie”. 

I laughed! 

“There are two movies of that title. I mean what the word Serendipity mean?”.  

“Who cares,”. She said!

I searched it up on my cell. No signal. I realized – not all of Ontario had internet.   

Meanwhile, I got piqued again by this place called Yellow-Brick Road. That’s Elton John’s songs!

 I almost wanted to jump out of our car with this one: Wawa!       

Now we reach a point where trucks and cars are getting scarcer and scarcer. And no cell tower in sight, meaning no GPS (Global Positioning System) guide.  

Four hours of that eerie quiet place, on its bend, an arrow sign appeared: Hwy 144. 80 kms. Its entrance – an unasphalted desolated dirty track, forested on both sides. Thirty minutes passed, we didn’t see any vehicle neither coming onto us or behind us. 

Mur remembered a story she read on the internet about a couple disappeared after losing their signal and then found dead afterwards. 

Once in a while, we saw a car coming onto us. 

“I think we should come back,”. Mur said.

“Come back…? That’s another 8 hours before we get to Hampton Inn for our nightcap,”. I said.  

“Let’s make a distressed wave if ever we met a car coming onto us. If they stop, we can ask if we’re threading the right way,”.

So, we waited. 30 minutes passed. Cloud of dust approached us. We both waved at the passing car. 

It zoomed at us. Bathed us with dust. 

We stopped, just wait for another.

“How can we make a distressed wave?”.

“Maybe like a car wiper blade cruising on storm.”.

We stopped our car and waited. 

A Camper Truck coming! 

We waved our hand like a busy car wiper blade. 

The Truck passed us! But Mur looked at her side mirror. The car stopped and drove backward. 

I come down, approached the White old couple. 

“Are we on the right track?”.

“Yeah. You save two hours drive,”.

“How come street is like this?”.

“It’s not government’s. A Loggers’ road. Only Logs Truck passed here,”.  

“On our way back home, we’ll not skip Sault Ste. Marie. Nevermind if it’s two hours more. I pity our car,”. Mur said.

Delayed Eulogy

On July 13, 1991, I wrote a letter to Conrad Siega, one of my best friends in Saudi.  I told him of my first two jobs in 1989 – the year when we landed in Winnipeg.

EDP hired me as Data Entry Operator (keying) details printed on Air Lines Tickets. Accustomed on male office environment in Saudi, surrounded by female workers made me conscious. And I had a supervisor: stunning as Sharon Stone. She has shapely legs and milky thighs.  It disturbed me. She sprinkles magnetic field on my terminal; it choked my fingers typing. Result: my three weeks probationary period ended. I ran short uniting speed and accuracy in typing.  

Orderly is my second job at Tuxedo Villa Nursing Home. I got an orientation on day 1: about the company, building, facilities, etc.  On day 2, assigned at Station L, vegetable section, they called it. People destined here for ‘total care’. Confused. Cranky.  Dependent.  Violent. They should be up in the morning, do their personal grooming, hygiene, dress them and transfer on their wheelchair. Or walk them to the big dining room at every meal. 

‘Pogi’ an Orderly whom I didn’t see any semblance that merited that name, assigned to me as my buddy. I followed him, watched his mechanical execution.

On my third day, I am on my own. I panicked, but I calmed myself, arranged my thoughts. So … I got eight people. Up by 8:30 am. Neat. Dressed up. Sat in their wheelchair, wheeled them at the large dining room for breakfast.

I calculated each resident requires nine minutes.  None of the mechanical execution I watched from ‘Pogi’ stuck in my mind. I am more confused than the people I cared for. Distraught, I had done nothing crucial for 15 minutes. 

Mrs. Clover slapped my face when I tried to comb her hair. “You bitch…”  she mistook me for a woman. “You conspired with my siblings stealing my money. Well, you’ll never get it tart…!” Scared, I like to run and quit. 

My eight residents arrived last in the large dining room. One by one as I brought them, meaningful glances among the Orderlies; Nurses, Health Care Aides, Dietary Technicians, flew around. They whispered and talked. 

Mr. Harm had no underwear. His limping sausage dangling, lapping on his wheelchair. Mr. Moles, his flaky morning secretion glued to his upper and lower eyelids. A witch starved for blood reflected on Mrs. Mutter’s face. Unbuttoned clothes of Mrs. Donaldson peeped her entire soul. Mrs. Clover’s brassier superimposed on her blouse. 

The Charge Nurse told me to get sheet cover for Mr. Harm. A sweater for Mrs. Donaldson to hide her upper body. Took off  Mrs. Clover’s brassier atop her blouse. The other needed to fix later after breakfast. 

Toward the end of my shift, the Charge Nurse called me at her office. I am done! 

“Can I interest you to study Health Care Aid Course?” She asked. Relieved,   “I’ll be pleased,”.

I enrolled, but never lasted on that job. 

“How is Gwen?” Conrad’s wife. I say, to end my letter.

Conrad didn’t reply.  

July, this year, a certain Thirdy Siega appeared on my Facebook Account. His profile resembled that of Conrad, so I messaged him. 

“Are you in any way related to Conrad Siega,”? 

Thirdy Siega answered.

“May I know who you are?”

I said, I am one of his closest friends in Saudi. 

“Ah, I guess you don’t know. My Dad died on collision accident at Saudi five years ago with his other friends on board,”.

Shocked, my eyes moistened as my remembrance of him unfolded when we were together in Whittaker and AMG company in Riyadh.

A Buried Story Revives By Conspiracy Theory

Conspiracy theories that sprouted around the 5G networks technology bordered on idiocy. 

Conspiracists theorized that the spread of the virus from Wuhan had links to the 5G towers. Truth is, the 5G infrastructure in Wuhan are still incomplete. They claimed, too, that waves leaked by 5Gs antenna weakened the human immune system.    

WHO (the World Health Organization) hammered that viruses do not hover around radio waves or mobile networks. The pandemic rolled out in many countries which don’t have yet the 5G technology.  

The Philippines, for example, with still under used 4Gs because of inadequate tower transmission, huge onslaughts of the coronavirus kicked in. Official tally shows.   

What made these theories click then?

There should be a villain. Someone or something to endure the blame. When distress becomes a trend, people appealed on the anti-hero sentiments. 

The 5G provoked irrational fear. That’s the fruit of a technological breakthrough. People are uncertain. They perceived it as invasive. 

As people suspect the 5G’s, this is further fueled by the influencers and celebrities who relay and reinforce this message of fear. 

Conspiracists concocted that 5G can be the “Internet of Everything.” Nothing can escape from monitoring, capturing; and recording. Be it a conversation, scenes or images. This is superb for surveillance and spying. 

A buried story I kept triggered.  

The “Internet of Everything” resolves the dilemma I had for my main character.  

I saw this movie “Death Wish” at Baliwag Cine Gloria in 1974, played by Charles Bronson. 

Impressed, I ambition to write a novel based on this movie.

It is a vigilante film. Paul Kersy, the hero revenged for the murder of his wife. He took the law in his hand. 

My leading man, as I envisioned him, is a die hard nationalist and a multi-millionaire. He loves the Philippines so much. He wanted to spare his country from the clutches of the crooks, corrupt and white-collar criminals. Eliminating them by himself in solo flights. And for every nasty guy he disposed, he left the evidence on the scene justifying their fate. 

Proof gathering for my hero is where I got stuck. Even he is a multi-millionaire, there’s no way to produce the evidence to justify the killing.   

Now, “The Internet of Everything” courtesy of 5G technology  postulated by conspiracist is useful to me. 

I am ready now to put the story on paper.   

Hints of Firestorm Coming!

Ignoring China’s built up of its military facilities in the South China Sea, the US in 2019 messaged Duterte to put a tough stand against China.

Duterte said, paraphrasing him. “Your Seventh Fleet is there. You know what’s happening. You’re aware they cannot do that (referring to UNCLOS decisions) Why don’t you. Declare war. Fire the first shot. And we will follow,”. 

President Duterte dodged preserving the Philippines’ national patrimony to Washington, in deference to Beijing. An unpatriotic statements coming from a leader.  

As the world’s current happenings heated, segued by the coronavirus pandemic, the racial tension had engulfed by George Floyd killing, Trump chances of getting elected this November 2020 get nil. Political pundits predicted. 

Despite the US mobilization of its forces across the South China since last year, now, even more aggressive movements and exercises happened. An armada of American navy ships ready of any untoward incident. 

If talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping faltered, and if it derail Trump’s prospect for a second term, he can unleash an opening salvo against China. His chance to bolster his image for the Americans.  

Disturbed, China can retaliate. This means conflagrations. 

Which country could burn? The Philippines is a candidate. Helmed by Duterte with tested blunder for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, this can be the worst disaster ever for the Filipinos.  

Changes are until 2022 election. Yet on June 1, 2020, to sustain his power, the Congress approved the Anti-Terrorism Bill in its final reading. 

Meanwhile, the Senate sits on its second reading. 

If the Senate version of the bill approve before the SONA (State of the Nation’s Address) it can enforce decimation of the opposition party, repeating the mid-term election of 2018. 
Until when the people of the Philippines can endure Duterte’s rule? 

WhatsApp? Social Distancing!

Social distancing of the Covid-19 pained us: (myself and Mur). It deprived us of once a week visits of Rico and Ella. For two months, it starved us of our grandchildren’s intoxicating charm. 

Yes! The social-media helped.  It moistened our quench. We have had a splendid time, too, with Naiah and Dvora – our granddaughters in Toronto. 

But, “WhatsApp” cannot replace the warmth and joy of physical interaction. That on-guard intimate smile which melts us. The mischievous glints of their eyes that sparkled our spirit. Their inventive tricks that mesmerized. Their unstoppable energy, which induced me to work out better than my treadmill.

We are a vulnerable bunch. Seniors can get harmed by the virus. Hosting it will endanger the adorable creature of our next generation. “WhatsApp” then is a temporary relief for social distancing.   

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s along with his provincial counterparts in their daily briefings since the Covid-19 struck showered goodies for those affected by the pandemic. But forceful for the strict compliance to prevent the spread of the virus. It imposes heavy fines and longer jail time. Not much disagreements on these. 

Canada, I believed, exemplified how the government and it’s people dealt the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.  

If the government is receptive, expect people to be appreciative.  

On Pandemic Reflection

One breakfast morning, to my surprise, Mur philosophised. She expressed profound thoughts. When she did, I better listen.

“Can you imagine how coronavirus, so tiny, yet in unison, thrown people of the world in contemplation,” 

Scientists measured the coronavirus. It’s 0.125. Microns, where 1 micron is a millionth smaller. Compared to the speck of dust particles  ranging from 0.06 to 014 microns, which can only irritate or make you sneeze, this one, once it gets inside the body, snuffs out one’s life after 14 days.   

Tallies of deaths. Quarantine. Social distancing became the buzzwords. 

For once, a lull in people’s activities outside home tamed. Peace and serenity ensued. Clean air peeped in. Gas prices tumbled.   Hurley burley in the opened supermarket stopped. Social distancing disciplined them.     

World’s leaders of most nations did their best. They made sure those affected by business closure had enough to to tide them over till the pandemic subsides. 

With the President of the Philippines, however, because of massive ineptness of his leadership – imposing Quarantine without a concrete plan added worries and hunger for the daily wage earners. 

Two years ago, the President forgot to implement the National Identification (ID) System, mandated by law for Filipinos to determine the people who may get the aid. Result: it’s a guessing game. Funds fell into cracks; to the politicians in charge of distribution. 

The GMA TV networks offered Seven Suggestions of what the Duterte government can do. Wonderful thing even before the GMA video came out, The Philippine’s Vice President Lennie Robredo spearheaded Point No. 4 & 5.  

China: A Condemned Culprit

The Chinese Communist Party of China reaped the world’s condemnation.

Now that the evil intent of world domination by the People’s Republic emerged, democratic nations seek retribution.

The tail-ender of the documentary: “Tracking Down the Origin of the Wuhan Corona Virus” premiered by The Epoch Times on April 7, 2020 – in just 24 hours amassed over a million views across the media platforms. 

Joshua Phillips, an award-winning investigative reporter, the narrator, concluded his narrative with dire consequences for China’s duplicity.   

The Eurasians Times bannered this headline: Google, Microsoft To Move Out of China. It implies they may no longer be the production hub of the Tech Giants. 

New data reported by Forbes, a United States Global Media Co. showed that companies are leaving China in disrupting their supply chain and musing on relocating to Southeast Asia to avoid tariffs. 

Likewise, Japan boosted their support package to their manufacturers to 243.5 billion Yen to shift out to other countries. Because the pandemic starved their major trading partners of parts for their production.      

Explored legal avenues neared the doorstep of the United Nations International Court of Justice.

Beijing breached the world’s health care responsibilities – concealing the widespread infection of the coronavirus to the outside world. 

The Henry Jackson Society, a British foreign policy Think tank, assessed China’s culpability to the tune of 351 billion Pounds.

Larry Klayman, a former U. S Justice Department prosecutor and founder of Freedom Watch, on March 19, 2020 filed a  

Complaint at the International Criminal Court in the Hague against China. It is a crime against humanity as it developed outlawed biological warfare. 

It alleges that the defendants; Xi Jinping failed to prevent the Wuhan Institute of Virology personnel from becoming infected with the bio weapon and then carrying the virus out in the open.Yang Sen-hong, a human rights activist, a public health expert and a commentator in Taiwan, says the “Made in China” era has ended. Globalization without China, a new expectation.

Insightful Journey

Insightful Journey is a six-minutes vlog. The urge of putting the less than half an hour original video is a crime on Facebook. So I speed up the footage, maintaining its integral part.

Going to Underground River

I save the film for posterity’s sake. But the original article, I rediscovered from my WordPress Site: Tiny-Titanic Thoughts, which remained idle for so many years. 

That’s one thing good with social media. Once you get in there, it remains forever.   

Part 1 of this vlog is our departure from Winnipeg and our visits to Baliwag. On our way back to Mabuhay Manor, the hotel where we stayed, an incident occurred. 

The car we rented, cruising along the inner lane of North Diversion Road, had its rear tires losing air. We knew cars behind  zoomed at 100 kms. Abrupt change lanes or stops can be fatal. Our driver clicked the signal going to the shoulder. Minutes later, the Escort Security came out of nowhere and accosted us. Those guys helped replace the tires. 

We had our lesson. The next time we travel back home we make sure we use a rented, well-conditioned vehicle. 

Part 2 of the video is our visit to the Underground River in Palawan – a three-hour trip from Puerto Princesa. At the hotel we’re booked in, they  arranged everything: transport, banca rent, tourist guide, food.  

Lured in traveling in 2007,  before Palawan, Globe and Mail Newspaper gave us a promo for 10 days to get away to London and Paris as subscribers. Mur had planned it. That’s good.  

Miscalculation happens when you’re a greenhorn taking a trip.

From our hotel near the Heathrow Airport, we’ve learned the best way to downtown London is by taking an Underground train, called the Tube.  For three days, we took the Piccadilly line going to the heart of London. And roamed around the city using the Big Bus Tours. 

On our fourth day, we Tubed again to Piccadilly Circus Station and from there; we walked to St. Pancross Station for us to get to France. And from France we will fly to Montreal. Then back to Winnipeg.     

Mur packed our essentials in our non-wheeled duffel bag. And while walking our way to the St. Pancross, the handlebar snapped. Forcing me to use the shoulder strap. 

I remembered Clint Eastwood in the Dyango movie. its soundtrack rang in my ears, pulling a coffin, while I dragged our carry on luggage. Most male Londoners took pity on me and offered help. I am too embarrassed.  

When we got to France, we bought luggage right away.     

That travel paved the way for my wife to become a good vacation planner. Since then, she had been so itchy testing her new vocation.

We visited the Philippines in 2005, and we stayed in one place. We didn’t venture on those exciting scenic spots. That’s a disgrace!

Out of unpatriotic guilt –  here we come to the grandest holiday planned by my wife, which includes our two daughters: their first time to set foot in the Philippines after twenty years.

Early Take of Nation’s Leader on Corona Virus

Leaders of most countries faced the impact of Convid-19. It strained their brains balancing the economic downturn and the pandemic.

US President Donald Trump, dilly dallied at first. His businesses suffered a slump. A little later, he yielded to the enormity of the plaque. He laid out the infrastructure to decrease its effect on the Americans.  

German Chancellor Angela Merkel tackled Convid-19 in a calm repose. She didn’t impose curfews. Closures are minimal. When she addressed her constituents, she spoked – minus the blame and the accusations.  Her tone: Direct. Honest. Concerned. Emphatic. Her voice drilled the seriousness of Convid-19. She assured people of the government’s help. 

South Korea, meanwhile, set aside the nation’s economic fall out.  They highlighted their strong public health approach. Disturbed by the lesson learned from the outbreak of (MERS) Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in 2015, they deployed a successful strategy for Convid-19.   

The South Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention followed the post-MERS reform. They allowed unlicensed tests for Convid-19. By February 26, they tested 46,127 cases. Compared to Japan of only 1846. The US is much lower at 426.

A concerted effort from government public health functionaries documented infected people to the minute and published them to the existing media outlets.

In deference to China, Philippine’s President Duterte dawdled on his decision to impose preventive measures to plug the source of the virus from Wuhan, China. 

He mocked the virus severity, instead.  

Only when death rose in other countries, Dutere rushed to decide on collective quarantine without a well-thought out plan amidst the sliding economy.  

Result: Chaos and confusion. No measure how the public health directives are being followed. Inadequate transparent communication. Disinfection campaign trickled. Supply logistics lacking. These inured the Filipinos to the max. 

The Best and the Bust of the Busuanga Affair

I started making videos in 2013. This video represents one of my  attempts. When I uploaded this 18 minutes video on YouTube in 2013, that’s passable. Long in today’s standard.  Facebook favored a minimum of three minutes. Five minutes – a stretch. But that’s how far I can go to maintain its juices.  

The first part of the video showed Mur’s birthplace in Gimaloto, Sorsogon, Sorsogon. People who live there are her relatives: A half hectare lot surrounded by a rice field bordered by a river. Her relatives, if they wished to go to the town they have to cross this river, walks two kilometers to reach a feeder road where a Tricycle can take them to the town. 

Seasonal fruit-bearing trees: Banana. Calamansi. Cocunuts. Guava. Jackfruit. Pili. Santol, available all-year round. 

Walking to Sorsogon Bay, a Bicol Peninsula is a 30 minutes walk from their place. 

The Palawan part towards the end of the video where I am included detailed our journey to Busuanga. A 10 kilometer ride to a feeder road going to the Palawan town. 

When we did our Island Hopping and swam in one of its beaches, I soaked my camera under the water. The camera failed to work since then. 

Clumsy as I am trying to repair, I ended up dismantling it. Good, the hard disk never had water. I retrieved the footage.

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