Don’t Dirty My Country!

If it’s true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for? – George Carlin, American comedian

The Banana Peel Incident

Last week, I wrote about how I slipped from my usual anti-littering habit and furtively threw a banana peel out of my car window onto an island on the South Superhighway! Of course, I knew that it was biodegradable, would make great compost, and in no time would disappear. But a gallant citizen picked it up and jolted me to the fact that biodegradable or not, it was still litter.

In turn, I realized that as long as people would still see pieces of litter on our streets, they would keep reverting to inconsiderate littering. Everyone should cooperate and do his share to be able to achieve our dream goal of ZERO LITTER. Like that man who picked up my litter for me (Thanks, man!), every citizen has the right to be peeved and say to litterbugs, "Don’t dirty my country!"

The banana peel-throwing incident drew in varied reactions:

Enjoyed your piece today. I am one of those who keep litter in my bag, pick up friends’ trash in movie theaters, etc. I’m glad to know I am not alone! – Cecile Ascalon

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My Sunday is not complete without seeing what you’ve got for the day. I read your articles faithfully, and I was convinced of how good a citizen/person you must be until I read your column today about the banana peel-throwing incident. Honestly, it made me feel disappointed, although it was a good gesture to acknowledge your fault. Well, we all learn from our mistakes, and there is always a room for improvement. – Atty. Rowena R. Salido, Keio University, Tokyo

Sorry to disappoint you but I, too, am human with imperfections. But I’m working on them! – Dero

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Read your column and I totally agree with you about not littering. I myself avoid it. But I must commend you for your humility in accepting your mistake after that knock. So, this time, lusot ka! Ha, ha, ha! – Lynne Sotto Villacorta

Next time, hindi na! I promise never to do it again if everyone else won’t! – Dero

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I just can’t resist giving you my reaction on a similar experience about litter. While inside a running public utility vehicle in Marikina, a group of young girls in front of me were having fun eating chichiria. The first thought in my mind was: "Let me see where their litter will go."

Then the most exciting part came. A member of the group threw a wrapper outside the jeep. When a second girl was about to throw her waste and as I was about to open my mouth and say "No," an elderly lady beside me suddenly said: "Ne, huwag naman niyong gawin ’yan. Hindi ba kayo nahihiya? Alam niyo bang ang mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa ay pinupuri ang Marikina dahil sa kalinisan at kaayusan nito? Sana naman ay makatulong kayo at hindi makaperwisyo!"

What a surprise, but yes for others who love and care about their surroundings, they would have done the same thing! – L. S. Arceo

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After that banana peel-throwing incident, I’d like to wag my finger at you (A-ah, no-no!), but I’m sure you feel guilty enough. Let it go and say next time, "I’ll do better." Stay lovable! – Lina Tuason-Abalos, West Virginia

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I never thought I’d find another one like me who treats trash like treasure in his car. My father was a very strict disciplinarian. I had my first taste riding his car when I was 20 years old and the first rule was not to throw anything outside the car, and second rule was to be there on time for he waited for no one.

Anyway, I admire you for admitting to your stupidity of throwing that banana peel out of your car. The man was a gentleman to simply have picked it up and planned on taking it home with him. Whenever I am on the road and somebody throws things, specially fast-food trash (McDonald’s or Jollibee cups and styrofoam boxes!), I would pretend, as in virtual reality, that I have a very big rocket launcher and hit every car that throws garbage on the street! I want to pulverize them so that people would start to think twice before throwing even just a straw on the street.

Thanks for being different, next time they do a clone, volunteer – the world needs more people like you – maybe the other one can write for other newspapers? :) – El Presidente, The Defunct Duster Brigade

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Great public confession! I felt real hope upon reading your latest article. Wish we could get away from the "Baka lang makalusot" attitude. – Jesse Lao, Seattle, Washington

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You are still at it? Still trying to save a half-sunken ship? Ano ka, hilo?

Tama ang ginawa mo. You should throw more garbage into the streets. That’s what everybody else does there in that country. When you are up to your neck in filth and disease then maybe your people would finally stop littering and throwing trash around.

The same goes for your disgusting traffic. People have no respect for rules; wala kayong considerasyon sa isa’t isa. Your friend was right when he said typical Pinoys are not team players. Puro crab mentality. You know, even in simple games and sports like baseball or football, Americans exhibit a strong team spirit. The solid bonding is the single, most important factor that makes their teams win! – J. Nasty Anastacio, USA

Nasty, Good to hear from you again! – Dero

* * * The Traffic Mess

I refer to your article "Why Philippine traffic is a mess." I’ve known this subject for ages. Countless writers have written about it. Readers have responded to it heaps of times that it has become a boring subject...

I migrated to Australia a year ago and had seen the BIGGEST difference why it has worked for them and most unfortunately it is still a struggling experience for Filipinos. Guess what the difference is?

It is RESPECT. Australians have high regard for other road users. I don’t need to cite examples on how Australian drivers behave. The reason people in Australia follow rules and regulations is that they know that "respect begets respect." You respect and acknowledge what my rights are as a driver and I’ll do the same for you. If Filipinos would take a second look at this amazing trait, then the Philippines would have better roads to cruise along.

I rest my case. – Roland Tablizo, Australia

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We Filipinos are disciplined. It’s just that the government is not implementing the laws of the land. They have to please everybody so that they can woo their votes come next election. As a matter of fact government officials are the prime lawbreakers. They cross red lights and break all kinds of laws for their personal convenience.

In other countries, the rule is: Follow traffic rules or be fined or penalized. Laws are there to be followed and if you violate them you pay a price.

Another thing, we will always be poor and undisciplined ignoramuses because government officials do not like a prosperous country. Why? Because if we were prosperous, a lot of people would be educated. An informed populace will not vote for those crooks.

Expect the country to be poor forever. Politicians will deny it to high heavens and say they care, but we can’t feel it. It’s intentional. The only option is to migrate. – Winifredo De Castro

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I’d love to hear from you! E-mail deeperdoor@yahoo.com (no attachments and chain letters, please!). Should you want to forward this article, be sure to acknowledge the author, Dero Pedero, and The Philippine STAR. Reprinting or publishing of this article in any form including the Web requires permission from the author.