By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
As of this writing, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recorded 72 people dead from drowning in various vacation spots for swimming during the Holy Week.
I can almost hear the voices of old folks in my generation mouthing that ominous warning — that the sacredness of the Holy Days must not be broken by fun and leisure activities or bad things are bound to happen “habang patay ang Diyos (while the Lord is dead).”
Repeat those exact words in this westernized and woke generation dominated by millennial and Gen Z Pinoys, and one would be “crucified” in social media for “victim blaming.”
I’m not profoundly religious myself and would not dare argue with people believing in a faith system. I don’t even know if there’s a connection at all between the abandonment of religious practices and these tragic events.
But if drowning by the scores in the Philippines becomes a regular happening during Holy Week, that gives the Catholics a strong position in the pulpit to demand their faithful to stay in church than in pools and beaches.
Islanders who can’t float
By nature, you would think islanders would be great swimmers. But for us Filipinos who live in a great many islands — 7,100 plus, with one of the largest archipelagic coastlines in the world, not counting waterfronts to lakes, rivers, and streams — we’re kinda “bano” or stupid in the water.
In 2009, this was pointed out by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as it urged the government to make swimming lessons a mandatory part of basic education in the country.
The woesome reality that 23 of those who drowned last week were aged 17 and below speaks of our failure as a people to teach our children how to literally keep their heads above water.
Your comments are welcome here, Madame Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte.
The bad with the good
Two days ago, the motoring public was hit in the face again by a big round of oil price hikes. Gas went up by P2.60 a liter, diesel by P1.70, and kerosene by P1.90. And this was from a mere announcement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) of a “planned production cut.” Oil industry watchers believe prices are moving up again next week.
In addition, rice on retail is likely to increase by P5 per kilo on average, according to the ever-dependable projection of the Marcos-led Department of Agriculture. It said procurement cost has risen to about P23, while the President is stuck on his campaign promise to provide rice at only P20 per kilo.
Well, at least, there was positive news this week — that of the Social Weather Stations survey showing majority satisfaction and “very good rating” of the performance of the Marcos Cabinet, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Supreme Court.
Eh, di wow!
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