HERE we go again.
The winds of mighty Habagat have once again unleashed their fury upon us hapless residents of the erstwhile dry isles of the Philippines.
After a few days of continuous rain, the streets of Metro Manila, as well as those of low provinces, were submerged in floodwater anew. Thousands of families were severely affected and, much to the delight of students, classes were suspended.
As expected, the University has found itself faced with the perennial flooding in and around the campus. In spite of the considerable efforts (and financial resources) that the administration has put into alleviating this problem, the forces of nature still prevailed.
Some school officials clarified that our multi-million peso drainage system will not totally stop the flooding inside the campus. This is due to the fact that the university is situated in a low-lying area and most of the surface water from neighboring cities will logically run down to Manila us. Rather, the least it can do is facilitate a faster egress of floodwater out of the campus. Baffled, I begin to wonder how this is possible if the water outside the campus is slower to subside.
* * *
I have always been a sucker for health policies.
When the university launched a no-smoking campaign at the start of this school year, I was among those who were more than happy to support it.
However, several weeks after its implementation, it seems that there is a downside to this seemingly commendable action by the administration.
Technically speaking, the administration was successful in preventing smokers from lighting a cigarette inside the campus. But what it merely did was to “display” to the public nicotine-hooked students outside its walls. Remember, the policy only said no smoking on school grounds. So all one has to do is go out the gates of the university and stand there each time one feels like lighting up, and be seen by the passersby in his college uniform.
So much for projecting the image of UST as a smoke-free campus, huh?
* * *
Law students have always been thought of as apathetic, especially to campus-related events and issues.
Fortunately, we have people like Hanz Paolo Lopez to prove our critics wrong. Paolo, as he is commonly called, saved the life of two people from certain death by electrocution during the flooding last July 6, even at the expense of his own life. And most of us thought that such a thing only happens in movies.
Wherever you may be, Paolo, you make me prouder to be a UST student.
* * *
Just a thought: Has anybody noticed anything about some of these so-called “fast food” establishments?
Is it just me or does it seem that every time one tries to order something from the counter, the crew will most likely answer, “Ok lang po bang maghintay kayo ng 5 minutes?”
And I thought I entered a fast food restaurant.
* * *
Before I place the final word in this issue’s edition of Plumb Lines, I would like to greet one of my first writing teachers — my mom, who recently celebrated her 51th birthday last July 28. I wish you many happy years ahead. Peace.
