‘The Next Big Thing,’ huh?

This is a repost from “chopsuey.”

Thanks to the ingenuity of an Augustinian who tagged Iloilo as “The Next Big Thing.” That breath of fresh air is quite a promise that this beautiful city I have come to embrace as my own (I’m an Akeanon-Capiceño) will have its share of the limelight. Hopefully with it is the realization of that slogan (think of Iloilo being at par with the country’s top metropolises - Manila and Cebu).

Indi magpaulihi ang Iloilo. As my favorite Panay News columnist Martin Soriano says, “Mabato ang Iloilo, mabato.”

Yes, indeed. Iloilo has “IT.”

History? Iloilo raised several illustrious men and women who were leading figures in the country’s glorious past. Literature? Iloilo is home to nationally-acclaimed literati of long ago and the present age. Economics? Whoa, ‘wag isnabin ang mga sugar barons of the bygone era plus the growing number of Ilonggo entrepreneurs. Politics? To say that Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Franklin Drilon helped shape this struggling nation is already an understatement. The affluent families whom you will recognize by their apellidos; the beautiful ancestral houses, the business establishments here and there; the good colleges and universities (some of which are pre-WWII pa); churches whose architecture are oh-so breathtaking; ang indi matupongan nga La Paz Batchoy kag Pancit Molo; biscocho and barquillos; the active night life and the list continues. Damu reasons, actually for Iloilo to be the next big thing.

Amen, I say to you. It won’t be long when Iloilo welcomes the world once the airport of international standards begins to operate. Just we wait and see because this crouching tiger, hidden dragon of the Visayas will give other key cities in this beautiful country (I am an optimist!) a run for their money. People of the Philippines, hulat lang kamo kay ma-tambling ang Iloilo (fireworks display!).

Or so you think! Akala nyo lang ‘yun! Unless there’s a change in the Ilonggos’ mentality, that dream of Iloilo as the new “IT” would remain lightyears away.
Iloilo has all the capacity to catapult itself to that millennium goal. But the people? I doubt. Ibutang ta, 40 percent lang siguro ang maka advance sa next level. Ang iban? They still have jagged edges to smoothen before they can advance to the next level.

On commuting. PLEASE have the decency to say “PLEASE” or “PALIHOG” when handing over your payment. Hello, I am not your muchacha. And say “THANK YOU” once the favor is extended you. These are only simple gestures but they matter a lot. Weren’t these taught in pre-school? Or you weren’t just listening at all because you were too busy dreaming about playtime or sticking a finger in your nose. Either way, let this serve as a reminder. For women with long hair: Ok, granting you spent bucks on hair treatments and you have, at last, achieved that sunod sa galaw na buhok. Tie it up, sister, or higti nga indi maglupad-lupad sa itsura sang iban! You should know that people only prefer angel hair pasta, not your hair! And watch out for others’ feet kay for several times na ako natapakan despite the fact nga 7.5 man lang ang shoe size ko.

On entering establishments/queuing. The rule is always first come, first served. Don’t “overtake.” You wait for your turn; don’t just slip through the line just because you’re in a hurry. Who says he isn’t in a hurry, anyway? So the next time magsulod ka sa SM City or anywhere else in that matter, pila ka. Another thing, don’t let someone hold the door for you (unless he is paid to do that for you). But if he is a customer like you, hold the door yourself because in the end, you’re accountable to yourself alone. If you do that, that’s the height of kabastusan.

On walking in public places. If strolling in the mall or walking downtown, keep in mind ang traffic rules. Keep right. Indi ka mang-agaw sang lane sang iban. Diin mo sila ya paagyon, sa gutter na? While in the mall, don’t walk in troops since you’re not the only ones who need the ramp. Don’t monopolize the lane. Lanes are public domain. So whether you want to stroll in the mall like the CanCan girls on parade, think twice. Others need that public space as much as you do.

On going to parties. If you have the money to spend and indulge yourself to a night of booze and smoke and music with friends, go. It’s your right. Nobody has the right to contest that. But if you look others head-to-toe when you’re on a night out, that’s totally un-cool and not to mention impolite. It irks me when I’m, assessed from the head, down. Can’t you mind your own business? In as much as I respect your going out, please respect mine. And note that staring is uber impolite. Do that if you’re in a Western country and makita mo gid ang hinahanap mo.

On treating others. This all boils down to R-E-S-P-E-C-T. I was out one Friday night with a couple of friends and we had this invitation to the launching of a TV show on local tourism. Right by the entrance of the bar, was the ticket lady. I showed her the two “invites.” She was inosente gali, and she sarcastically asked me, “Ano ‘ni ya?” Right there and then I felt nagbagrong talinga ko. I wanted to snap at her but someone of a higher position came and told her, “Ok na, pasudla na.”

I was so irate. Being one who gets even with those who wrong me, I glared at her saying, “Ang stamp ko?” That wasn’t even enough. I could have done something more to humiliate her but I thought to myself, “Don’t waste your night over that ignorant ticket lady.”

On “celebrity” status. Undeniably, Iloilo is never lacking of beauties. They are everywhere. And they are anywhere going to parties on Fridays and Saturdays. No offense meant to the humble ones who need not show the world they’re beautiful. But there are others nga ma-discover lang, mabayuan sang mga local designers, they think they’re already stars.

Well, dearies, you’re not. It’s just all in your airheads. You think people look up to you. You’re wrong. If in case you don’t know, gone are the days when the face speaks it all. The world looks up to women of substance, the total package. Who knows, while you’re strutting your stuff on the ramp, your stilettos just might break and you’ll fall flat on your face leaving you bungi-bungi.

These observations make me sick. Now tell me, how can Iloilo be the next big thing with these people around? If they change, then can I agree that Iloilo is “The Next Big Thing.”/JPC