Eh Kasi, Pinoy!
2012
By Monica de Castro
If you are reading this, congratulations! You survived the “end of the world.” Is it any wonder that so much hype would be placed on the possibility that the world was going to end last year? For those of you who remember, the movie 2012 came out about four years ago and depicted cataclysmic events that would doom mankind. Of course there have been plenty of other movies that depict similar doomsday events, but considering the title is so blatant about the year the world is going to end, it’s the one that comes to mind.
In all honesty, I thought the idea of the world suddenly coming to an end was ridiculous. Perhaps it’s my naïveté showing, but I cannot imagine the earth suddenly cracking open and swallowing us whole. However, if there was one thing I can take from this “end of the world” hoopla, it is a reminder of how lucky I am to live in a place where natural disasters seldom wreak havoc. Aside from the blizzards and floods that Winnipeggers face, I have to admit, we’re in a pretty good place. At least with our situation, we receive forewarning of what’s to come. Here there are no volcanic eruptions, no earthquakes and no tsunamis.
But news from around the world has got me thinking twice about the 2012 phenomenon. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and tornadoes have destroyed so many lives this year alone. Many parts of the Philippines were flooded for weeks, tsunami warnings blared on the coast of British Columbia and Hawaii, and Sandy stormed its way through the Caribbean and west coast of North America, leaving a path of devastation in its wake. In hearing of these disasters, the “end of the world” doesn’t seem so farfetched.
Luckily, we are still here. If there was one thing I learned from the catastrophic events that have taken place, it is that humans have the great capacity to be kind, generous and loving. Even more, we forget how strong we are. We see our strength come to light when we are faced with adversities and tragedies. I have no doubt that we will continue to be kind, generous, loving and strong in the many years to come.
Monica de Castro is a member of ANAK. Contact the author at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .