IN THE Philippines, National Disaster Consciousness Month is observed every July by virtue of Executive Order No. 137 signed on August 10, 1999, by then President Joseph Estrada.
Eleven years prior, the first week of July was declared National Disaster Consciousness Week but this observance has since been extended to a month to include man-made disasters and other emergencies.
Remember the July 16, 1990 earthquake? The month-long observance seeks to remind everyone about preparedness and readiness for natural hazards and its man-made impacts.
The Marawi Crisis has been ongoing for over a month now. This man-made disaster has wrought unprecedented tragedy not only in Marawi City but all throughout the nation. The declaration of martial law by President Duterte in Mindanao has been welcomed by many but has also been met with criticism and rejection.
The Supreme Court has spoken and the High Tribunal has recently upheld the validity of the declaration. The pros are relieved while the oppositors may be crying foul. But that's the way things go - you win some, you lose some.
Another July 2017 "national disaster" is the defeat of the "Pambansang Kamao." Many "experts" believe the Pacman was robbed and got the short end of the stick. Some have even gone too far in social media to vent their ire on the new Champ. I think bringing Jeff's wife into the picture and bashing her for the result of the "Battle of Brisbane" is very inappropriate. "Wala namang kasalanan 'yung tao, 'di ba?" Jeff Horn may have played "dirty." He may have landed fewer jabs and power punches than Senator Manny. He may have actually lost the fight. But the judges gave the win to Horn. The referee allowed Horn to play dirty and get away with it. It is what it is - you win some, you lose some. So move on people!
A gracious Manny Pacquiao said he respected the decision to award Jeff Horn a stunning upset victory in their WBO welterweight title fight, despite a widespread belief that the Australian should not have been declared the winner on the judges' scorecards. I'm pretty sure Manny feels bad about the result. But he, himself, said he respects the judges' decision. "I didn't expect that... that's part of the game. That's the decision of the judges. I respect that," he said. That's classy and totally professional from my point of view. You win some, you lose some.
When Gina Lopez was rejected by the Commission on Appointments, her followers said that mining money led to her rejection. Those who believed Gina wasn't fit for the job declared it was the right thing to do for government. It happens, right? You win some, you lose some.
Let's say you bought the recently revived 3310 cell phone at full price yesterday and then found out it went on sale for 90 percent off after a week. That's a mighty huge difference and you're still slapping yourself for rushing in and not holding off for a few more days. It only means you can't always buy everything on the cheap. There's always a time where you miss a deal. Don't make a big deal out of it. You win some, you lose some.
"You lose some, you win some. Nothing wrong with that at all." ~ Stefan Edberg
"Life's a game. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But no matter what your cards in life, whether club, spade or diamond, always remember - never play without a heart!"
"“Be thankful for the bad things in life. They open your eyes to see the good things you weren’t paying attention to before.”