THE NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION

By Reymundo Salao

I have usually had no complaints about products made in China. Instead of paying P 800 for a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, I pay P 100 for the same copy made in China. Instead of spending P 2,000 on Diesel sneakers, I can get sneakers made in China that look 97% similar to Diesel sneakers. Instead of buying a popular-brand DVD player (like Samsung or JVC), which usually only have one-region compatibility, I can buy a P 2,000 DVD player from China which, not only is a multi-region player, but also is an mp3 player. The capitalists that have spearheaded Globalization are now scratching their heads with what to do with China’s “abilities”.

But where do I personally draw the line when it comes to buying these products from China? It is when it comes in competition with our local products. Specifically, considering the season, there are the firecrackers and pyrotechnic products which I believe have now become a threat to our own firecracker and pyrotechnic industry. More and more, pyrotechnic products of China are invading our stalls and our customers. People are buying Chinese firecrackers instead of those made by our brothers and sisters in Arevalo. The amounts of these products are so overwhelming that it has now come to a point that it is not competition anymore; it’s an invasion.

Well, I hope that when we’re out there shopping for firecrackers, we can remind ourselves to patronize our very own Pinoy firecrackers and fireworks. Don’t make your New Year’s celebration so un-Pinoy. Start the New Year with some cheers and good hope for the entire nation.

There’s no bastard more hideous, more foolish, more ignorant, more reckless than the ones who will indulge in indiscriminate firing of their firearms this New Year’s celebration. Siya ang gago sang mga gago. Indiscriminate Firing can victimize ANYBODY. Even the elderly and the children (Indiscriminate gani). Those fools indulge in this…for what?!!! For a mere animalistic exhibition of utter ignorance? Please, to those who have firearms, please do not indulge in such actions. You do not want karma to punish you with your own slug hitting a loved one. And to those who would witness the commission of such crime, please do not be afraid to report the matter to authorities. We must help ourselves in completely avoiding such a crime to be committed on this joyous season. In stopping this crime, we are not only saving the lives of others, but maybe the lives of our own loved ones as well!

Well, well. We have come to the last day of 2005. My year was not so perfect but at least I’m thankful that it was not hell. To those who had hell, well, I hope that the next year would bring you some taste of heaven. My Askal Projection column have been a bit slow this season coz I still have my focus set on the Metro Manila Film Festival that seems to perpetually need improvement. Anyway, I hope to bring you more stuff to ponder on for the upcoming year. May all of us truly have a HAPPY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

X

Tired of making New Year’s Resolutions? Well, why not make up suggested resolutions for other people?
MY NEW YEAR’S WISH FOR EVERYBODY ELSE

For the City Government: - To truly implement a SERIOUS and STRICT No Smoking Policy in Public Places, specifically Jeepneys, Buses, Tricycles and Taxi cabs.

- To remove (or at least, minimize) the unsightly “Beautification Project” mini-placards in the gardens by the street. We know it’s beautiful already; we don’t need several placards to know that.

- To implement a SERIOUS ANTI-LITTERING Campaign as well! The one of the biggest problem of this city is its (almost-annual) flooding. The cause of bad drainage system is due to the clogging of garbage.

For all who plan to take up the NURSING course: THINK TWICE! Not every nursing student story is an American Dream come true. It is a difficult course that requires a lot of time and sacrifice. It’s not a walk in the park. And yes, sometimes, there are people who fail the Board Exams.

For all who are about to leave the country for a job someplace else: Congratulations! You will probably earn a lot more now, that is, if you are hardworking and resourceful. If you’re such a lazy spoiled little prince/princess in this country, then welcome yourself to hell. In addition, do Not forget that YOU ARE PINOY. Do not come back to this country claiming that you have forgotten how to speak in your native tongue Do not try to sound like you have an “Americanized” accent either. Dusagago ka.

For almost ALL (except for maybe two) Coffee Shops: Please play some good music! I did not go to a Café just to be immersed on the same Chihuahua music of Ogie Alcasid and Air Supply. If I wanted to do so, I would’ve just stayed home!

For a certain movie theater: PLEASE turn off your lights when the trailer is being shown. It distracts our viewing the trailers, which is, in itself, also part of the movie watching experience.
For each and every Filipino: Have a little hope in ourselves. The reason why the state of things in this country is that our sense of patriotism has long been damaged by a long-standing colonial mentality and westernization. Corruption exists because we are not patriotic enough to stop it. There is not much progress because we have no urge to give progress to the glory of the Filipino. Things may be far from perfect; but we can rise up from it.