WHAT IT MEANS TO BE STRANDED

Yesterday, we did not have electricity for almost 24 hours, starting from midnight of Tuesday. Daytime of Wednesday, I was stranded at home, unable to to open my email although my computer was running (on battery), listen to the radio, call up Barangay Imelda as to when current would return, and even to make an S.O.S. call thru my celfone. The works. However, later in the day, the signal on my celfone came and I was able to send newsbits about what was happening at our place to the radio stations DZRH, Super BB and DZMM, the latter charging P2.50 per text. Also, a bit earlier, I was able to tune in to the FM radio stations through my celfone although it did not have any signal. Unfortunately, FM stations do not carry news, except for DZBR which gives tidbits; but I think it does not dish out reports that are critical of government work or would make the Pag-asa appear inept in reporting what is happening, or even to say why electricity was kaput in our area. In fact I heard two broadcasters chat and their conversation rather circumvented the issues -- and lacked in depth analysis, appearing more like two friends out to fill up airtime for the sake of filling it up. I wonder if P. Noy would be asking the government station to have a new set of programs that would reflect new perspectives in reporting and opinion-making.

So what did Basyang teach us? 1. We need to buy extra batteries for our celfones, always charged in order to keep them working through difficult times. 2. Meralco should start underground cabling of all MetroManila wires to prevent electricity from conking out for hours and hours. Those cables are very unsightly to say the least, apart from posing danger to life and limb during typhoons. In our subdivision, cables go haywire, up and down, twisting here and there by the electric posts like the uncombed hair of an orang-utan. It's no wonder Hollywood and other film companies shun MetroManila. To think that Star Cinema is a sister-company of Meralco.

3. All FM stations should deliver news every hour, if only to make them relevant during those critical times. The National Telecom Office should require them to exercise social responsibility especially since most of our kababayan belong to the lower classes who are in need of news. Why FM stations? Simply because celfones, the affordable device and which can be brought everywhere, carry only FM radio. A few have AM but that is very rare to find.

4. All barangay should have a loudspeaker during those brown-outs to announce every three hours or so, the status of electricity returning to our homes. I tried calling up the barangay yesterday but even their phones were not responding. By the way, they should have training on how to do that -- not only keeping the people informed of when the lights would return but also to share sympathetic words that we must be strong in the light of uncertainties in our life, somewhat like a spiritual uplift in these times. Maybe in this manner the tanod who have rather a brusque manner of dealing with the public would develop a more humane and nurturing attitude towards the people

5. The barangay should also inform the public as to the level of the creeks, the river, the esteros nearby which could cause floods and great havoc should the rains continue for hours and hours. Many times in the past, we would only know that the waters were rising when they start entering our homes. The barangay should have alert watchers, measuring in one way or another the level of waters rising in the water channels.

By the way, I am not criticizing Capitana Connie Malangen our barangay chair who is now suffering from cancer but still on the go in serving despite her having to undergo chemotherapy in between. She has done a good job in our barangay but there are just some recalcitrants in our area who do mischief when she is not around. But perhaps to insure her early recovery, she should also accept the fact that barangay work will not insure her ascent to heaven; hence she should take care of her health first, and our prayers for her overcoming the C will continue. In her place, an equally competent and self-sacrificing official should take over.

Perhaps, Secretary Robredo of the Dept of Interior and Local Government, as well as Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista could take note of this message. It is difficult having an ill capitana as we don't know whom to deal with when we call up the office. A clerk, a janitor, a you-know-who answers but we never know if they are telling their exact names.

By the way, once, while the tricycle I was riding in passed by the barangay office, someone hitched a ride at the back and I heard the ceiling make "kalabog." When we were about to turn to our street, the guy alit but not after having pounded the ceiling again. I asked the driver to stop but the guy was running towards the barangay again. I presumed that it was only one of those guys working there who would be brazen enough to do that.

When I narrated this to my friends in a film company, Eve told me, "Lahat sila ganyan, hindi lang sa barangay mo." This made me think that perhaps Sec. Robredo has a lot of tasks to do, primarily uplifting the culture of gangsterism in every locality.

Well, I have said everything which I have been wanting to say, Folks. This is living in the raw in the Philippines apart from having to deal with a gutsy Basyang.

Let's pray that better days come our way soon.