Depression

 DEPRESSION

 The insidious malady called depression came to mind, 

when  two very noted personalities we read were said to be suffering from it.  

One  a very young world-renowned lady athlete,  

while the other a former president of the Philippines in his 60's.  

The latter had since passed on.

Over the years we had heard so much about this condition 

But kept a safe distance of the topic paying only nodding attention. 

But now we are told that the world has seen its prevalence. 

And with large numbers in agony, we give it its due attention

 It is a very real, consumptive, and debilitating ailment.

 

Worse, it could also be career-ending and life-threatening.  

Necessitating professionals specialized in such conditions.

We had  nonchalantly associated depression with loneliness, or melancholy. 

Not giving it the gravity that it deserved.

 Now medical professionals labor and toil to do something.  

Many of us also went through such forlorn periods of feeling very low, 

at times we did not even want to get out of our beds to face the world.

I remember my own episodes when I was still single and unemployed.  

But somehow we out-grew it though not that the condition has deserted us for life, 

but somehow we have been able to lessen not only its gravity but its frequency.  

Somehow also we learned to tackle with it, each in our own ways.  

Maybe the resolution being  when we turned to a higher power 

and lodged the providence of our health and safety in that kind of faith.

Still as mere mortals with very limited knowledge and understanding 

of such an insidious and almost invisible enemy, 

We surrender our ignorance and abide our trust on others.

To those educated as  better equipped.

We should resolve to continue our own searches for truths about it. 

And thus they ought not be stifled, neglected, or even dismissed by others.  

We can only be better persons if we are curious about its ramifications.

In the midst of all this, may it also be incumbent that as a species, 

we duly acknowledge that we  have changed a lot, 

occasioned by a civilization that has gotten more and more complicated.

Worsened by our having to live in very close quarters with so diverse peoples

 with very diverse ideas.

It could be likened to what is happening in the US since the last several years. 

And happening to younger and more educated people. 

They are angrier, more and more intolerant, and very hateful. 

And appearing quite ill-equipped to handle challenges in daily life. 

Thus, we see this erupting in violence and other forms of miscreant behavior.

A Little Backgrounder: Historic Vista Hermosa

 

A Little Backgrounder:  Historic Vista Hermosa

On this historic site atop the first Carmen Hill crest.

It was in the mid-60's.  And the place was as pristine and untouched as an unutilized place could get.  It was owned by a first cousin, Engr. Edgardo N. Marfori.  Truant kids around the area would wander thereabouts picking up wild fruits like guavas during idle and hot summer days.  As forgettable a place as any during those idyllic days of the city.  But one redeeming factor was the spectacular view of the city on its crest.  The old poblacion shone in great light and glory from that vantage point.  None like it in the city.

But the Christmas holidays were approaching, days when the lazy city would get festive and lively.  Organizations woke up from slumber and started preparations for the coming holidays.

I was president of the Commerce fraternity and Ms. Rose Chan was president of the sorority of XU.  Bro. Paulino Santos was adviser.  We wanted some thing novel and startling for our festivities, especially for the dance and program as culmination for the celebrations.  Good idea.  But where?  So it could be really novel and a first.

That lonely undeveloped hilltop came to our collective minds.  Once decided we realized the monumental task involved.  At least monumental during that time.  There was no road going to the top, though we knew a jeep could negotiate it with 4-wheel drive if necessary.  No electricity.  No structure of any kind.  It was literally in the jungle!

Getting my cousin to say yes for the use of the place was no problem.  Bro. Santos was a close friend of wife Nang Lili.  But the other issues were challenging to say the least.

But somehow all sticky challenges were met and overtaken. Bro Santos with the help of school resources was able to bring a generator for our lights, and many wooden pallets as dance floor and stage.  Prior trips to the top with jeeps and trucks established the paths for vehicles on their ascent.  

And our members had a most memorable time during that happy festive night. It was a First, indeed.

Inspired no doubt by our very positive feedbacks, It was not long afterward that my cousin broached his idea of creating a hotel on this historic hilltop.  The first of its kind!  It became Vista Hermosa Hotel.  

And no doubt, the view was beautiful!  But It had since then been converted into the Pryce Plaza Hotel which has to his day been shuttered.

What Civilization Brings to Man

 What Civilization Brings to Man

Many fault civilization and the civilized living it brings as a bane to the lot of humanity.  In this vein many gush with justified awe at the crude and coarse living of many in the poverty-stricken places in the world.

It is not uncommon for fresh eyes witnessing new experiences for the first time to regard them with prideful wonderment and appreciation. 

And be generous in their plaudits.

However in the fullness of time and after seeing, or witnessing, or even living the life that exudes from these same dreary experiences, their stark and maybe drab realities will undoubtedly peep out to bring the viewer back to earth.

And a more realistic and more reasonable assessment of life in the midst of such coarse and crude environment will no doubt be discovered. 

Allowing one to repaint the whole canvas with righteous colors.

With colors true enough for one to accept that living in more modern, more orderly, and hygienic surroundings would redound better to the population.

That is what civilization brings to the table for humanity. 

In spite of the fact that yes, order and efficiency may appear too predictable and thus boring, and yes, be also less radiant in local colors. 

But we know that modernization is for the good of all humanity

A Tribute To Jogging

 A Tribute To Jogging

The image of a man in jog does not necessarily imply ease.

One sees and many likely conclude, look how easily he does it.

But in reality it is likely never that facile, from one who does it.

One starts with constricted breaths and leaden feet.

And indeed after a few rounds, the body responds .

With wakened feet responding to quickened cadence.

Breaths kick in with more depth, inducing a bit of euphoria.

And then just as quickly the end of the exercise nears.

The now-heated body pours out profuse sweating to cool.

Feet feeling rubbery, disposing one to quicken pace.

As one heroic attempt to shorten the agony of the run.

One digs deeper for stray breaths, lumbering to the end.

The winding-down process then begins in earnest.

One's pulse starts to slow as the body again responds.

A few minutes later, one lets out a huge sigh of relief.

And one moves on to the chores of the day.

The physical regimen set aside for the moment.

To be initiated again the following day.

We Call It Life, But Is It?

We live and we call it life.  But is it?

Oh, yes, many call it a blessing.

A gift so precious, it is the most valued.

What lengths man would pursue for it.

But then we continue to ask for answers.

Why is it so full of deaths and afflictions?

Such a repository of snares, enemies, and ills?

So many calamities, miseries, and enemies.

And even whilst the first of those are still with us,

Others crowd in to harass  our benighted living.

And no doubt we heap blame on the world.

Not really knowing why we are so attached to it.

Unable to detach from such strong bonds.

We blame it for its addictive vanity and deceit.

Unable to fathom the real reason why.

When in all honesty the problem is us.