New Beginnings

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It gets me panicky when a dear friend leaves, it seems they all do. Either to go back home, leave for work elsewhere, to get married, or like a few others, drift apart perhaps deciding to be seen less. Life can be bittersweet. But then we carry on to new beginnings, looking forward to even better things.

I had the chance to take a few pictures of the rehabilitated Triunfo Shrine this morning, as I had to send a visiting friend off to Cagayan de Oro at the nearby pier. It’s a first for me to see it in broad daylight, as the few visits last July were done in the evenings when most of the more interesting fiesta activities were held.

It’s a joy (and a source of renewed pride) to see it still kept immaculately clean, when I had expected the usual ningas cogon (the propensity to lose interest over a project which was started with enthusiasm, a decidedly common Filipino trait). I find this important as people coming to Ozamiz via seafaring vessels get to see this, and first impressions do last. The beautification of the shrine as well as the fort was hurried and indiscriminate, I would say. The purist in me screamed sacrilege when they filled missing limestone with concrete. But still, there is much to be praised for. I hope the same could be done for the rest of the city, too… the May elections could be a good start. Change has long been due.

What I know is, Ozamiz became a chartered city way before Cagayan de Oro, but has lagged behind in the most obvious ways. And as if to add insult to injury, this city’s name has become synonymous with things abysmally dreadful. Friends coming over almost always question whether the streets are safe. Or mockingly ask, “buhi pa’ng shabu dinha?“(literally, is the meth [industry] still active there?). Talk of politics and Kuratong Baleleng can’t be far behind. Dubious about your taxi ride in Manila? Just say you’re from Ozamiz and you’ll get to your proper destination safe and pronto!

There needs to be change. Hopefully, not only on the superficial. We don’t clean by sweeping the dust under the rug, we even beat the rug to get the dirt out. We can clean the Triunfo Shrine all we want, if only to impress and alter perceptions about the city. What for, to attract business? And if they do settle, will they want to stay? Ozamiz, land of promise – it not only sounds good because it rhymes well – but because it also speaks truth about the potential which the city does have. It has a strategic location, and infrastructure ready for further development, and an educated and fervent youth yearning to make a difference. Sans the disabling factors entrenched in its culture – apathy, tolerance to what is clearly wrong and unjust, fear for the powers-that-be, self-interest.

And there has to be more to Bag-ong Ozamiznon than being a mere campaign slogan. It has to be an ideal believed in and shared by us. It is not a privilege which can only be provided for by an advantaged few, but rather a responsibility for all to keep.

click on the thumbnails to see each picture full-size

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Filed under Blogging, Culture, Filipino, Opinion, Ozamiz City, Philippines