Spring cleaning

Netnet Camomot

THE first pile of newspapers is now half of its original height. Spring cleaning is ongoing in this room as my mabaw na kaligayahan focuses on the healing of the knee.

Someone up there always has a way of forcing us to slow down, smell the roses, stare at the trees, listen to chirping birds, savor each bite of a Pepperidge Farm Double Chocolate Milano.

But I’m already happy with the first two words: slow down. I was rushing through my sked for more than a year, would even postpone going to the bathroom to finish work. So, the present pace is a welcome respite.

The rest of the country, however, is not slowing down as druglords, drug pushers and addicts, and their protectors are being hunted down by… by who exactly?

But once these drugelated peeps have surrendered, where do they go from there? Will they still have a chance to return to their old ways?

Yes, it’s also spring cleaning in Pinas. But it’s not only to throw away unnecessary things and walk away from bad people. The country’s new president has done so much already in the first few days of his term. That’s what you call hit the ground running. I wonder if he ever has the time to have a second thought.

This is supposed to be the honeymoon phase, when the president has meet-and-greet sessions with his constituents. But this is one prez who doesn’t waste time.

Fear seems to be the thought bubble hovering above drugelated cases, as parents offer to surrender their shabu-addicted kids to authorities who will then ask them to join an oathtaking ceremony or a Zumba session.

Oathtaking? Yup, I’m confused, too. I guess that’s where they promise to do their duty for God and country.

The best business to start now is a rehabilitation center. But others said it’s funeral services, for the drugelated killings that have been happening lately. Walang patawad, huh? No second thoughts. Either to silence them, before they can reveal anything? Or some concerned citizens have had enough of the presence of these constantly high drug addicts.

Money is supposed to be the root of all evil. But nowadays, drugs are that root. Wait, drugs are serious business for some peeps. Business as in raking in lots of moolah. Thus, if not for the lure of money through drug sales, drugs won’t exist? Ayay. I’m more confused now.

Business should be treated like how a woman treats men: There are many fishes in the ocean. One can sell burgers, fries, soda–the three best things in the world when you’re hungry and can eat a horse. Or sell pizza, chicken, mojos. Or siopao, siomai, pancit. See? Many fishes to choose from. So, why sell drugs?

I’ve not tried drugs, not even marijuana. What do I know, huh? I used to smoke a few sticks of cigarettes in a week, then morphed to “social” smoking once a week during our weekly drinking sessions. Sessions gyud? Haha! But those days are gone. Only the social drinking is left in my ho-hum nightlife. A bottle or two of light beer. Dios ko day.

People can be addicted to food, too. Better sell that than drugs. Drugs are not only dangerous to one’s health but also dangerous to his life, his job, his family’s life. Well, too much food also has similar effects but at least the foodie doesn’t go around harassing people when his tummy is full.

Drugs can destroy the brain, with the mental faculties going truly mental. No more wisdom left there, no more sanity. The only thing left is the desire to suyop pa more. The best thing to do is to not start indulging at all because once it’s in your system, aguy, unsaon na lang, especially now that the country’s new president is bent on stopping the drug trade in Pinas. Where na man lugar ka mopalit ug shabu? Sa Colombia?

Here’s a better addiction: Reading. Walay kontra. It doesn’t cook your brain. Uh, wait, it affects your brain in some other way. It doesn’t make you fat. Uh, wait, unless you’re reading about chocolates and is now craving for Royce Nama Chocolate.

Go for the “seemingly” harmless addiction that will affect only you and not your family, friends, barangay, city, province, region, country, continent, world, universe. Kana bang ikaw ra mag-inusara. Alone at last ang peg. Haha.

Well, change has definitely arrived in Pinas and it’s also changing some people’s habits and hobbies. Yehey?