Turning on the alarm clock...

My sister just reminded me today how lucky I am to be able to enjoy the finer things in life, which I shamefully admit I often take for granted. Coming back from her immersion, she could not have reiterated more how real (and harsh) reality is. If I am to be precise about it, it’s how majority of the population are living below the poverty line.

What touched me even more was hearing my sister talk about how her host family was so gracious to them. Despite having a tight budget, her host family took great lengths to keep them full and satisfied. The couple they stayed with made sure they were well-fed and comfortable. If there were any difference in the social statuses of each one (which normally is made so distinctly clear in this society of ours), it was neither felt nor seen at all. The lines were all blurred. My sister actually felt she was a part of the family.

It’s a heartwarming feeling to see them spending a little over their budget just to make dinner extra special (note: caldereta, pusit, melon juice) for you. It’s also a heartwarming feeling to see them fussing over you making sure all the electric fans are turned on. An extra dish of caldereta or melon juice may mean nothing to us since we’re used to having anything we want but for these people, it’s a big thing. It’s already an extravagance for them which really is “nakakataba ng puso” to see them sharing it so willingly to you.

It’s just ironic (and sad I must say) to see how these people have so much to give despite having so little while some of their counterparts despite having excesses barely give out anything at all.