Last blast

If you’re reading this article in comfort, then the world has not ended. I’ve entitled it “Last blast” simply because today (barring any unforeseen developments) will probably be the last day for opinion writers or columnists to tackle serious stuff such as “politics, religion and the Great pumpkin.” By next week everything will be about Christmas and “The Year in Review” articles.

So as my last blast of serious concerns, I begin with the fact that a number of readers as well as their adult offspring will most likely be going out tonight as the last chance to party with officemates, friends etc. Fact is many of you will be guilty of DUI or driving under influence of alcohol. Of course all of you think that you can manage and will actually make it home.

But just imagine how much of a deadly gamble you will be making. With your impaired senses and response, there is a possibility of getting your car banged up, you might hit someone, you might kill or cause permanent injury to someone or better yet, you could actually rid the world of an irresponsible driver, namely you. Fortunately you probably won’t feel it. But others will. 

Then consider the costs. Most front collisions now cost above ten thousand bucks. Rear-ends just as much. Physical injury and medical attention will be at a minimum of P5,000 to an average of P25,000, so that stupid third party coverage is not worth the money it’s printed on since it will cost you as much just to collect on the claim. If you happen to kill someone, then you might be better off just adopting their family because that is the actual financial and social cost of killing someone on the road in the Philippines.

But now for the good news: for almost the same amount of money it costs you to get a Limo-taxi like “Basic” to bring you to the airport, you can actually call a special service to pick you up at the last bar you’ve been to, take you home, while a second driver drives your car. If you’re not drunk but feeling ill after eating one kilo of Cebu Lechon or violating your sugar quota, the same group can send you a certified EMT or emergency medical technician to assist you.

The group I’m talking about is LIFELINE Medical ambulance. The number to remember is: 16-911.

For the past four years we have been registered with LIFELINE for their emergency ambulance service. That’s a different service from the “Driver on Call” assistance service that they currently offer at P500. So if at any point tonight or the following weeks, you find yourself less than fit to drive remember the number: 16-911 because the life you spare might be mine. Just to make it easier for you, their numbers are: (63-2) 8392520 and (63-2) 8392530.

*      *      *

The Speaker of the House has announced that the next big legislative issue for next year will be the “Divorce bill.” In response, officials of the Catholic Church have reacted immediately by saying that divorce will destroy families in the Philippines. As a matter of personal opinion and faith, I am opposed to “no fault,” effortless, instantaneous divorce, and this is where I part ways with officials of the Catholic Church.

I have long questioned why it is that rich people and celebrities who display their “dirty linen” in public, who regale in the publicity generated by their scandalous and adulterous married lives, are always the first to be given annulments by the church? How is it that accomplished professionals who earn millions of pesos and manage to raise decent kids get to claim that they are mentally incapacitated or incompatible and are given an annulment? In the mean time many people I know from the middle class and below who have been trying to get an annulment for six years or more, can only hope that the bastard that beats them or bleeds them dry would croak before New Year.

Yesterday, when the issue of divorce was raised at the gym, people asked me for my take on the matter. I simply pointed out that in the Philippines, the rich celebrities and politicians get annulment, the Muslims have divorce, the “born again” are told to try and try again, while the poor live by the principle of “relocation.” Whoever are unhappy can join the next relocation offer of the government. One trainer put it in a very graphic manner: “When you’re rich, you call an itch an allergy, when you’re poor, you call it “galis.”

Instead of sharpening their swords and their tongues once again, it might be wise for officials of the Catholic Church to spend what’s left of the year reviewing their setbacks and learning why. For a couple that are happily married, divorce is not an issue nor is it a concern. A couple that enters into marriage with maturity, counsel and wisdom is less likely to find reason for divorce. So why is it that so many people enter into marriage ignorant? What causes marriage to collapse?  Perhaps people need to hear more about healthy marriages than political rhetoric. Perhaps people need to be counseled up close and personal by priests and lay ministers instead of telling them that the P-Noy administration is from the “Dark side.”

To put it plainly, divorce is not the problem. Having a good marriage should be our concern.

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]