ASIDE from climate change, the Bible warned of the days when multifarious wickedness will flourish over all animate objects that ingest energy from the sun. We hear terrorists dropping bombs and murdering the innocents, including children; even the police have their own version of blasting off the tsunami of killings under the canopy of drug war ideals. On this distinct self-gratifying motive, the Bible foretells that the love of many shall wax cold.
Allow me to stimulate your discerning mind with a tale of a self-gratifying motive I have seen last Wednesday. My business brought me from J.P. Laurel Avenue to Ponciano Street boarding a Sasa route PUV, passing through the circuit of malls. As we approached the not so busy portion of the thoroughfare near the NBI office, there were two ought to be passengers flagged down the jeep and the driver wanted to pick them even if the vacant slot was good only for one. Then the passengers began to murmur and spew some vile words against the driver adding the air and noise pollutions.
Reaching the next block, a lady was picked-up to complete the seven-passenger allotment on our side. The driver was so arrogant and inconsiderate of our sizes that we could hardly accommodate the seventh; we were obliged to give in.
After a while, I offered the lady to push her butt backward as I also pushed mine forward to give her comfort because I understand she was in a half squat position. She conceded and I suffered for about 10 minutes because of the early traffic logjam.
That situation reminded me of the thing I used to do, not so long ago when I was just wearing khaki short pants and my knees were still strong. My teacher used to punish me of 10 to 15 minute-squat near the flagpole not because of bad disposition but for the habitual and repeated tardiness beyond my control to commit. Our school is about two kilometers away from home and at that time there was no access road yet to the village, only a quadruped trail to tread.
Many of you remember well that short pants during those days are worn only by 10 years old and younger, not like today that even the men at late 60s are still excited to wear shorts to somehow look younger.
Just like the woman next to me whom I offered comfort. At 40’s she wore a “mini” of a mini skirt that I anticipated in the next few footbrakes, the thing above her knee will be exposed including her verboten.
Pardon me to pound your conscience, but “res ipsa loquitur” (the thing will speak for itself) that by not giving accorded courtesy to women, in respectable attire or not, including the senior citizens in any public utility vehicles, is an index of self-gratification.
It is no wonder that Apl de Ap of the Black Eyed Peas is asking “what’s wrong with the world momma?” not because he saw women in odd attires but because he wants to hit your senses by questioning “Where is the love?”
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