The reality of poverty, for most of our brothers and sisters follow them to their death — as is the case with Mang Pandoy — the man showcased in the SONA (State of the Nation Address) by then President Fidel V. Ramos as a representative of the poor whose lives he aims to improve. Many years after that, the man born poor died poor. If you find it too harsh a word, I’m pretty sure there’s a more politically-correct term for that. Underprivileged? Less fortunate? Economically-challenged? Gah. Does it matter how we call it? Apparently, it does not. For if we examine closely, “terms” don’t change a reality. Is there anything more glaring than the reality of your family’s incapacity to even give you a proper burial? My friends, Mang Pandoy lies “clad in a faded violet shirt, laid in an ordinary wooden coffin“. His death is no poorer than the life he lived. The man clearly died “waiting on the world to change” — waiting on his economic status to at least change from bad to fair. He died waiting for a chance at a better life.
What’s striking to note is that he is not the first to die like this. Everyday, the poor of this country are subjected to something worse than the branding of being such. And that is for those who stand watching, for those among them to see how death in itself does not offer an escape from the shame of poverty. Thus the usual comment, “mahirap na ngang mabuhay, mahirap pa ring mamatay” (it is difficult enough to survive, but it is even more difficult to die). And this is because with death comes expenses which in reality, is far more expensive than the usual amount of money they need to raise to survive a day. To be born poor is no crime. To strive to get away from the pangs of hunger is not a crime. To demand for equal opportunities is not a crime. And yet, the poor of this country commit crimes traceable to their being “underprivileged”. And the self-righteous people that many of us are, we sneer at them and conclude that they’re just too lazy to work. But are they really? We even go further as to say “there are many jobs available out there. But are they qualified for that? Sure, there are thousands of job vacancies for call center agents. But what class of people does it serve? It serves the lower “B” and upper “C” classes. What of the lower “C’s” and “D’s” then? What jobs are there for them?
Poverty is obviously a complex issue. There are probably many solutions out there. But are any effective measures being implemented? And if there are, then why the cases of many more and newer “Mang Pandoy’s”? If poverty persists, then maybe we aren’t trying hard enough. Or maybe our solutions aren’t effective. Or maybe they can be effective but aren’t properly implemented. Or maybe we’re doing it all wrong.
Whatever the case, one thing remains true — this reality bites. And it bites even after a person bites the dust…
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2 responses to “The Reality of Poverty”
I watched the story of Mang Andoy in the the news yesterday. I am not sure who should be blamed because I believe there’s no point of blaming but reality wise, I think the givernment should have done something. If someone is poor, someone should help them. Teach a man how to fish, as the quote says.
Hye Munars last blog post..Google Chrome Browser Released For Download on Tuesday
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@hye munar, hello! :) true. help must be available, not as a means of “babying” people, but rather as a means of encouraging them to work, knowing that with hard work comes success, however little..the problem right now is not of lazy people, it is the lack of opportunities..there are many hands willing to work but the opportunities aren’t there..government must strengthen the local govt in terms of funding so livelihood projects would lead to sustainable development..plus of course, population management has to be implemented without fail as this is also a major contributing factor to our poverty stats..like it or not, we must do drastic measures if we are to survive upcoming world economic crises while uplifting the quality of life of our fellowmen..
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