Utang na loob

Netnet Camomot .

KRIS Aquino has always been vocal about her trials and tribulations and won’t mind bawling her eyes out in front of TV cameras. Anyone used to this habit of hers should simply let her latest outburst pass. Don’t even dare suspect it’s a publicity stunt for a Pinoy movie she’ll soon star in and for her princess role in “Crazy Rich Asians.”

Kris says it as it is the moment she feels an overwhelming emotion to reveal her innermost angst, and she did it again upon seeing her ex-husband James Yap and his new family on Korina Sanchez’s “Rated K.”

Kris somehow dwelt on this Pinoy trait, utang na loob, since she campaigned for then presidentiable Mar Roxas, the husband of Sanchez. If we were to shorten the soliloquy that Kris posted on social media, it’s kind of like this: How dare you feature James after what he has done to us and what I have done for Mar.

Utang na loob is a neverending story. People could use it against you.

“Pay it forward” is the better way to spread the love love love, which happens to be Kris’ favorite mantra. But there are people who are stuck with utang na loob and loving every minute of the tender loving care they receive from the beholden.

In 2014, Kris and her sisters said they would support then Vice President Jejomar Binay’s candidacy for president. When Kris was asked why, she said, “I like him. We like him. He’s helped us a lot. He is always there for us.” Yes, despite Binay’s plunder case.

It was Tita Cory who appointed Binay as Makati mayor from 1986 to 1987, after which he was elected as such in 1988-1998 and in 2001-2010. For most of the years he wasn’t mayor, his wife, son or daughter took his place except for the two years that a non-Binay managed to lead Makati. As you can see, the Binays also have an utang na loob for the Aquinos.

And in case you’ve forgotten, Kris had Binay’s moral support when he showed up at Camp Crame after she had a “violent fight” with then boyfriend Joey Marquez way back in 2003.

There are politicians who end up with duh people in their circle because of utang na loob. A particular person helped them campaign, and once they win, they’re now obligated to create a job for him as an expression of their utmost gratitude.

But if I were Kris, I would go malling instead of posting on social media. Then, she can buy all the Birkins she can afford.

Retail stores and malls are closing in the US but that will never happen in Pinas. The mall is the Pinoy’s park where he can relax in airconditioned comfort while eating, shopping, watching movies, having a massage. It’s where the madlang pehpohl converge, so, if Kris loves privacy, as proven through the way she doesn’t tell-all in her TV interviews and social-media posts—haha!—she may not feel comfortable with the attention.

The Pinoy who works inside a mall is the luckiest one. He can have burgers, tacos, steaks, anything his heart desires for lunch. Yum! He can watch a movie after lunch, a massage after office hours, a makeover after each month. If he lives in the condominium nearby, wow, that’s the best life ever. No need to drive through traffic. He can spend the whole week within that tiny sphere.

Mixed-use development does wish for people to live and work within one area to reduce the number of cars and commuters that eventually cause traffic during rush hours. Even nonush hours now have traffic, so the Pinoy is saved from the stress of a daily commute. Still, there are many Cagayanons who live uptown but their offices and schools are located downtown, and vice versa, and the long line of cars along Masterson Avenue proves that to be as real as Kris’ ranting on social media.

Which brings us to the question: What makes you rant?

Is it the traffic? Solution: Buy a helicopter. And build a helipad in case this law will be implemented in the future: No helipad, no helicopter.

Slow internet? Solution: Read a book.

The summer heat? Solution: Go malling.

Finding Kris in a mall here in Cagayan de Oro can be as rare as a super blue blood moon, so, better wait for her movies then, that is, if you’re a fan.