If I keep scratching my head, I think I might scratch it open or run out of hair.  The things that happen behind the scenes of community events make me really wonder “what on earth were they thinking?”  For that matter, are they even thinking?

The Multi-Purpose Centre (MPC or by whatever name they have nowadays) decided to hold a birthday party and the celebrant used the event to spill out his frustrations on the attacks on MPC.  These people just don’t get it! Let me rephrase one more time.  You cannot continue to demand the community’s cooperation, expect donations and then leave them lurking in the dark.  It simply is not morally right.  And for those who ring me, or email me to complain, I can only hope that they would stand up and beg to differ at least.  Besides, have the three personal loans been settled?  Has Rooty Hill site been sold?  Have they bothered to issue an explanation to the community?  Crying “poor me” is wearing thin. Why should the community be penalized for their mistakes especially when they weren’t included in the planning stage nor do they have an input?

At the recent SAFSI Seniors annual party, the new Vice Consul Tony Reyes, proved that he had charisma as someone did not want to leave his table.  When Mr. Lastica left his seat to get drinks, someone was ushered to the vacant seat by mistake.  It is alleged that despite attempts from those already seated on the table advising the person that the seat was taken, the response they got was “I don’t care.”  Relocation attempts also proved futile as “Attorney I don’t care” allegedly refused to budge.  To avoid any further incidents, four of the people already seated and who have had their entrees abandoned posts and moved elsewhere.  Moral of the story:  Don’t leave your seat unattended to buy drinks especially when sitting next to a person of title. 

At the same event, a community leader delivered a bombastic speech, fiery enough to send the place reverberating that some of the Senior Citizens thought they were going to have a heart attack or their hearing aids were malfunctioning.  As one Senior Citizen succinctly put it “Ano akala niya, binggi kami?”  Actually, the shocked Senior had a much funnier adjective but not for print .

The Ilocanos held a party in honour of Chavit Singson who had been given a special advisory position with the military by President Arroyo.  After the glorification party, another party was held to mark the success of the party.  This time hosted by Kapitbahayan.  What do you know – a party to celebrate the success of a party?  Non-stop partying, ha?

FILCCA also had their conference in Tasmania and of course it was time for their “sampu sang pera” awards.  And I can make a bet whose fingers were in the pie.  I am sure the awards were to fill an otherwise empty hall. But when a certain someone did not get a much anticipated award, the email loop was burning,

I guess we Filipinos are basically nice.  Irregardless of the gravity of the mistake, despite the absence of remorse, apology, or restitution, we choose to forgive and forget for fear of being “out”.  We tolerate and quietly suffer in silence instead of putting those in the wrong in their right place.  We continue to stand on the same rail tracks waiting for another train wreck to drag us through.  It is also no wonder, we have not progressed.