Through the Fog

By Rolo B. Cena
Arabian Diaries
Dumaguete Star Informer
14 February 2010

For those who have been in the Kingdom for quite a long time, seeing the thickest of fog along the thoroughfares annoys them. Why? The almost zero-visibility convergence of the fog renders all commuters to slowdown from 120 to 80 kph for safety.

Today’s morning fog, the thickest so far I have seen in almost two years, inspires me. The mists it distributes to all windshields and windows tickle my working mind and soothe my ever-curious eyes. More so, it reminds me of two things: obstacle and opportunity.

This morning, our Indian driver who have just arrived from vacation, managed to drive us all to our workplace through the fog with an ounce of discipline. Although he has been noted to be a skillful driver, the right attitude that is pre-requisite to road courtesy and discipline survived his ordeal. And driving through the fog sans discipline endangers not just the driver but also the riders and other commuters. It may abort life instantly. People without this deliver themselves to deathbed and statistics show.

Spouses always encounter the thickest of fog in their lives. Most often separation ensues. However, if one spouse is brave enough to analyze how thick the fog is and turn this into an opportunity to discuss the internal conflict with the partner, then this may strengthen marital relationship. The same holds true with parents against their children, neighbors against their neighbors, and brothers against their brothers.

The presence of fog in our lives, no matter how thick or thin it is and no matter what time of the day it appears, determines our conviction to conduct familial, official or personal affairs with prudence. This is attitude expressed in different tone.

Almost always, our government officials are hindered to see the real meaning and purpose of their positions. They are “fogged” by their own selfish and vested interests in holding the position. From barangay officials to the top elective post in the Palace by the foul-smelled Pasig River, their own “political fogs” destroy their promised 20/20 vision.

Because of this individual fog that converges in the plenary halls of all houses, the troubled and “self-serving” politics is adversely affecting, if not crippling, the Philippine economy that has been left behind by its Asian neighbors. More than two decades ago, the Philippines’ was considered to be among the top economy in Asia. In fact, the modern-day technocrats of China, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and other countries were trained in our noble soil.

Arguably though, we lost this glory and honor due to the uncontrollable “fogs” that has been plaguing our disarrayed social and political system. This is the fog that brought us to places of honor; the same fog that destroyed our image in the same places where we were honored before.

In May 2010, another thick fog, if not the thickest so far, will dominate the Philippine electorate with an annoying number of candidates to choose from; the voting populace will be “fogged” again by “who is who”, “who has what”, or maybe, “who’s got the money” to vote for.

History has it that people are bribed to vote for Juan even if Pidro deserves to be chosen just because Juan has the money. And not merely money, we are talking about the color of money here. Exasperatingly frustrating!

This fog in the electorate, if not cleared, can bring another fog in the political arena of the country. It breeds, just like the virus breaking through the system. The problem between the human-created and nature-created fog is that the latter disappear in due time by nature’s call; the former needs will power to be totally vanished from the air. In which case, we shall wait when these people will, by their own will power, completely remove this fog.

Again, this is awfully annoying!

Through the fog, the community of united Filipinos in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the United Filipino Basketball Federation, survived the grand opening this week of the 9th Basketball Season dubbed “Basketball is Life”. Forty-two teams, all composed of Filipino expatriates in the Eastern province of the Kingdom participate to compete for the crown in the unique spirit of Filipino sportsmanship.

Fog is obstacle; fog is opportunity. Through the fog, we can manage to survive life, if we choose to.