Megacity Of Decay

Yesterday afternoon, amidst heavy rain, two billboards collapsed on top of a bus terminal in Quezon City. This is with just a mild gust of wind. Some two years ago, there was a similar incident that claimed the life of a cab driver. The previous incident prompted the authorities to give directives to the public works department to check on the integrity of these colossal structures dotting the whole metropolis. Nothing was heard of a report about that directive or news of billboards being taken down in the last two years.

The last incident did not result in death, but several have been hurt and there was massive damage to private properties. The incident though leaves a big question about how safe these billboards are- as there are thousands and thousands of them all over Metro Manila alone, and there could be thousands more outside of the metropolis. That may be one freak accident and may happen only once in a while, but still that leaves a possibility of it happening again. Coming into consideration also would be that very often than not, these structures (or most other structures in the metropolis, for that matter- blame it on corruption in our system) are built using sub-standard materials and that most have been built sometime ago.

If you would look around this megacity, you would notice that many structures and buildings are quite old already. These posts danger to the citizens without a question as of course integrity of materials lowers as it ages. There are many buildings that are dilapidated and by international standards may be unfit for occupancy, and even some are dangerous to be close to for humans. Yet, these are still occupied and used. There has never been an incident before in the Philippines of a collapse of a building on its own without factors such as earthquakes or storms. However, it may only because we have been lucky so far and it will just be a matter of time before such a thing happens.

In the crossing between Ortigas and EDSA, just right across the POEA building, a massive hole has been dug for a building construction several years ago. The construction though was stopped when it was found that it was causing some problem to the foundations of the nearby elevated metro rail. The excavation was just a few feet away from the foundations of the rail system and just inches away from the curbside of the highway. It has been a source of anxiety for me every time I pass by the excavation on my commute to and from work, which is four or five times in a week. The hole has not been filled up back and has been widely agape for several years already. A wall made of G.I. sheet has been put up around the excavation to prevent any accidents of falling off into the hole, but it doesn't address the possibility of the sides of the excavation collapsing. If that would be the case, it could bring down with it a portion of the elevated rail system and the highway.

I tried to search for at least information about what are the steps taken or being taken by the government about such hazards in the metropolis, however I did not find any. With such a big risk to safety of the people, there should have been reports available to the public about government undertakings to tackle this issue. As if living with the constant threat of crime is still not enough, city life is further made stressful by these things that are otherwise resolvable.


Photo lifted from http://www.inquirer.net/

HOME SWEET HOME

With the daily rat race I am on, it is not very impossible to miss home. For all the two years I have lived here I still don't feel I'm cut out for the big city life. I miss the simple and laid back life at home. I don't know. Even back then I have never stopped working since after college, the same nine-hour jobs and sometimes even more, but still it seemed more tiring to work here in Metro Manila. I guess there really is no place like home.

True. My work here allowed me to earn more and acquire more material things; and my wife and I should be living comfortably now. There even was a thought before that in time we'd get over missing home, but I have seen otherwise with most people I know who have migrated and lived here from the countryside. There always will be a yearning to be home for at least a few days at a time.

It's not that we have never been home those past two years. I am allowed four weeks' worth of vacation each year by my employer and we have twice gone home for vacation since. The only reason I am a bit more missing home now is that because we have planned a vacation some three months ago, and the leave I filed at the office was not approved then. The next time I can file for a vacation will still be in December, which is still some months away, and still it is subject for approval. With each passing day I miss more and more the feeling of having white powdery sand in places I can't mention, the freshness of morning breeze, soaking away beneath a waterfall, trekking in forest and mountain trails, and eating my ever favorite home-made "suman sa ibos".

Those simple things that may not amount to any endearment or attachment to if you're back home are seemed the ones you tend to miss most. Even things as simple as your old house clothings and your favorite spot in the house-- when you're away it creates a huge gap that can't be filled in by anything else.

Well, you may argue that I should have stayed home instead if I didn't want to be away from them; take into account, however, the fact that there are more opportunities for financial and career growth in the big cities than in the countrysides. As for my case, the money I am earning now from my job is equal is a little less than the worth I am earning with my day and night jobs back home and also that of my wife's job altogether.

On my commute to work early this morning, the bus I am on was picking up passengers from the bus stop when I noticed this homeless man sitting in a corner with his belongings in two large bags. He seemed cold and hungry and was all grimy as you would expect from those living off the street. From his looks he seemed to be in his forties. As I do usually whenever I see homeless people, I felt very sorry for him. It came to my thought as the bus moved on that he could also from the countryside, like most people here in the metropolis, and also wanting to go home like me. He must have failed to make a success here and now is wanting to go home but have got no money.

Somehow, I though I should feel better having known that there are other people who are more unfortunate than I am. I simply don't have the time to go home, while others don't even have the money for it. Still I feel terrible and quite worried about the man. I should have boarded off the bus and at least bought him something to eat, or even a cup of hot coffee as he was cold. He sort of stirred something inside of me that makes me want to do something about people like him. I always have felt sorry for homeless people and have sworn that if only I am financially well-off I could have helped some. Our parents have taught us to always have respect for others and much more for others' dignity. Certainly, people who are living off the street must be feeling a bit less dignified than most other.

Stories of failure are very common in the big cities from those who came from the countryside for the proverbial greener pasture. There could be many of them who are stuck here and are without the financial capability to go home. Perhaps some have found a way to survive on their own, while some have already given up and went to live begging for alms on the streets. I can't picture myself in the same situation as I have a few relatives here who could readily assist me. During the whole commute to work, I kept my mind occupied on picturing myself in a similar situation. I came to a resolution that I should at least do something about it and make a campaign to help those people in need assistance to go home to their hometowns. For now I don't have the capabilities nor the time to devote myself in such a commitment, but I have since sworn to myself it will be one of my goals to learn and find ways to be able to help them in little ways. I'm starting it with this blog entry and I hope to write to foundations, television stations, politicians, and hopefully I also get to publish an article about this on a major newspaper.