a fiery morning @#^&%^*!

I had an argument with my elder brother over coffee this morning. It started with him proposing a business opportunity where we would be partners. I did not mind the proposal. I was sure his intentions were good. What got into my nerve was when he started passing judgments about my economic status.

I do not deny I’m earning a meager income, I’m a teacher for Christ’ sake! I knew that when I chose this vocation, such fulfillment comes with a price. What was infuriating was his tone. He sounded as if he was a better man because he is earning way more than I am. I’m not saying that he is not; I have great respect for my brother. That is not even the point. But there is just something wrong with his gauge of manhood. Sadly, the world shares his view as well.

For this, I am angry and I feel sorry for all the people who miss the point of all this. Those people who treat me better just because I wore branded clothes or I was driving a car. Even to those who do not give me ticket for traffic violations simply because I was in my barong or after knowing I was an Aguilar. As much as I enjoy this, I feel sorry as well to those who would prioritize me from a very long queue simply because I speak English or I was connected to a certain person or I had a post graduate degree.

I am equally furious to those who look down on me for reasons that I don’t share their racial blood, or skin color, or religion, or age, or just because I live in a socialized subdivision. I am in rage to those who would use their resources just to get ahead with everyone.

Their sense of human dignity is simply shallow and superficial. They make judgments from what they see on the surface. How could they not see that we are much more than that? I am much more than what I wear, or how I look, or how I speak, or how much money I have in the bank. I am much more than all that simply because and for the very reason that it was God who made me. And so are you. Yes you who wash my clothes on weekends because I’m too tired to do it myself. You, who fill my tank with gas because I don’t know how. You, who sell me cigarette on the street. And yes you, Mr. President of the Republic of the Philippines.

But my brother missed it. They miss it.

I didn’t. and I won’t, I hope. And I’m okay with that.

corny mode nasad hahaha