I AM not referring to electoral candidates whom the Commission on Elections considers as such. As per Section 69 of the Omnibus Election Code, it is stated that a nuisance candidate is someone who has filed a certificate of candidacy with the intention of putting the election process in mockery or disrepute, one who is causing confusion among voters by the similarity of their name to other registered candidates and those with other circumstance or acts which demonstrates that he has really no intention to run for office.
For its dictionary meaning, a nuisance is a person, thing or circumstance that is causing inconvenience or annoyance to others. In other words, nuisances come in different packages and different effects to others.
Most of Monday-to-Friday workers often plan of not waking up early during weekends and having an extended stay in bed during such rest days of the week. I am one of them and to make my Saturday morning worthy, I preferred to have a little more hours of sleep, but fail.
In much dismay, I was awakened yesterday by my neighbor's noise on their rented videoke machine. Those noise machines are often guests during occasions and activities such as birthdays, fiestas and others. I see no festivities in my neighbor's compound however except perhaps their cravings to make noise.
With the noise which is better considered a nuisance, I stood up from bed and had my day ruined that early. The songs they sang, which are better called noise, are more out of tune, this I can consider even if I am not actually a singer.
Since the invention of these machines, composed of a CRT Television (cathode-ray tube), a videoke player, a microphone, all encased on a plyboard customized box, the meaning of noise pollution was made popular in peaceful, quiet communities
Although Filipinos are known to be fond of singing, these machines should have been invented not to be nuisances. There are proper things at proper places, so I thought.
When President Rodrigo Duterte assumed the presidency, one of his unwritten policies is the limiting of videoke noises until 10 in the evening only. Since such was not written in the papers, the policy seemed to have faded in the minds of Filipinos who loves to sing at the top of their voices unminding of the peace of others.
Videoke singing may seem to be nothing to others but is indeed a great annoyance to many who just seem to be quiet and adamant to confront their neighbors just to preserve relationships in neighborhoods and communities.
Meanwhile, those who cannot help but sing in their personal or rented videokes, they should be conscious enough to determine whether their machines and voices are way beyond the tolerable. They should learn how to respect the solitude of others especially those who are grabbing the opportunity of taking their days off.
It’s not funny to be annoyed by someone who does not care of others. There are many ways to celebrate some occasions aside from singing using these noisemakers. While it’s everyone's right to sing and be merry, such right should not impair the rights of others to be on a quiet place and rest.
I hope there shall be a legislation -- that is to be strictly implemented, against videoke singing. After all, everyone deserves peace in their dwellings.
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