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Saturday, July 15, 2006
Roperos: Blind masseurs’ appeal
By Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics Also
Last Monday, there was a story on page A4 of this daily about the appeal of blind masseurs for public support.
“Visually impaired” is the polite way of referring to the blind who would otherwise have been begging on street sides. In a way, extending services as masseurs enables the visually impaired to earn honest and decent living.
For a number of times in the past, we have been supporting the organization of the visually impaired in the city. It was one of the favorite beneficiaries of the act of charity of my wife. And when she was not around, I used to take over.
But we really had no way of knowing, neither did we receive information, on the manner contributions and donations that the blind’s organization received were used or spent. Almost every year we were tapped for whatever assistance we could give.
When that news came out last Monday, I wondered what happened to the group that appeared to be doing well in the past, even monopolizing the services in places like the airport and shipping terminals. Something must have been wrong in the way the organization comported itself.
Then I received a text message from a friend who always availed of the services of the group. The friend, Albert Reformina, is a civic conscious and involved Boholano.
Albert said that he and many of his friends always patronized the services of the blind. They felt they owed it to them to extend whatever assistance they could afford, as that was the only means of livelihood they have.
But recently, they have stopped doing that. The reason is that the services of the visually impaired have become quite expensive. In fact, Albert used the words “swell-headed” and demanding.
Not only have they become strict about imposing a time limit for their services, they have also upped the ante. He said that humility seems to have vanished from the behavior of the blind masseurs. For example, if you ask for home service, you have to send them home on a taxi.
Albert estimates that some 80 percent of the group’s former patrons have disappeared.
Well, I cannot make an objective reaction to Albert’s comment since I have yet to engage a blind masseur’s service. But it is possible that those handling their affairs in the city (who may not necessarily be blind) have unduly increased the rates for their services, as well as strictly imposed the hourly rate limits on each call.
And the group’ handlers may have overlooked the fact the visually impaired now have increasing competition from lady masahistas. Indeed, a cursory look at the classified ads of local dailies would show there are now dozens of massage clinics operating in the city, offering even home services for both male and female clients, that is, even husband and wife.
The service period is negotiable and the hourly pay depends on prior agreement. Against these beauteous young things, what chance does the visually impaired have?
My friend, Albert, may be right. The blind should consider the competition in pricing their services. While it may be true that the visually impaired deserves our understanding and sympathy, still in a “dog eat dog” world, beauty is decidedly preferable.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 15, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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