THAT BLOG

My first experience of THAT BLOG was when a friend sent me the link, asking what I thought of it.  It was a good few days before it exploded into mainstream media. I could not read through it; one can only take so much hatred and malice. I told my friend it gave me a headache. I will not comment on the lurid details because everyone can make an intelligent guess about what's true and what isn't, but mainly because it really is none of my business.  The only phenomenon that is worth noting is the number of hits it's getting--most of them negative. As my partner, Dale, rightfully expressed: "Ang dami-daming problema ng bayan na mas matindi diyan!"Can you imagine if those bloggers -- half a million or more by now -- instead directed their energies towards creative and positive blogs? Wow. That's the kind of energy that could truly turn this country around. Blogging is a way to be heard. I resisted it because it's also a lot of work to keep it fresh and updated, but now I am thankful for the possibility. Here, I need not worry about being edited by people with their own agenda. But, when there is freedom there is much more responsibility. Every blogger should hold his space sacred and not let it be a medium for malice, hatred and contempt. Be the change, diba?  I know paulit-ulit na but if that's what it takes, di ulit-ulitin! We have to behave and live by the changes we want to see in the world. If we don't want to see lying and cheating, we have to live that. If we don't want people to behave abhorrently towards each other, we have to treat everyone with kindness and respect. I know it's difficult, especially in our country. I've been terrible this week. I've vented my anger at suppliers because of their inefficiency and I really attracted more like them. Though they are all still inefficient and so totally frustrating, I decided not to be in the same place so that I am not caught in such a web of anger  and frustration that I lash out and make people feel inadequate and small--even if they have behaved so terribly. Until that part of me has been totally transformed (hay, good luck nalang sa akin), I just have to keep away first. Luckily, my partner has taken the cudgels for me and is dealing with all the suppliers and laborers from hell who have to realize how valuable a good work ethic is. The internet is a place for information. We are seeing that there's a lot of junk and trash out there so bloggers have to be part of a higher order of information. There is a lot of work to do in the Philippines, for it to become the country we all dream of, but like I always say, the work begins with us and we have to make the changes manifest wherever we are. If we are on the net in any form, we have to behave responsibly. If we are outside, we have to do the same. If we know that people look up to us, we have to really think about what we are putting out there in word and deed and strive to be both positive and authentic. Blog away, but use your space to help build a positive world.