It's funny what a difference a few days can make in changing one's perspective. Just less than a week ago, a lot of focus was being given (this blog included) to the upcoming UAAP Finals match between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UE Red Warriors.
Then along came typhoon Ondoy, and with that, some lives were forever changed. I was fortunate enough to be living in an area that was not affected by flooding. The worst inconvenience I got was being incommunicado for 2 days (no internet connection/landline, plus a spotty cellphone signal). As i started to get these back, i was surprised shocked to see the devastation the rains had caused in Metro Manila.
In particular, a lot of friends and people i know had their homes and possessions submerged under water. Just yesterday, I was in the Pasig/Cainta area together with a few law classmates to help out a couple of people from our block who were victimized by the tragedy. Going around these areas gave me a sense of the extent of damage and the loss that the residents here suffered. I've reported on things like these before when i was still newscasting, but being there and having people you actually know as among those affected gave a totally different color to these events.
It's things like these that make you realize what really matters. How things like a basketball game, while still followed with a passion, is just that. A game.
Tomorrow, college basketball action will resume, as Game 1 between Ateneo and UE will take place at the Araneta Colisuem. In light of these recent events I would like to offer a suggestion for those who are watching the UAAP Finals.
My suggestion is: for those who are planning to get tickets to Game 1, watch the tv coverage on Studio 23 instead. The money that was to be spent for the ticket, around 200 pesos on the average, could then be donated to help the victims of the tragedy.
Think about it.... Ordinarily, the UAAP Finals nets about 15,000 paying patrons per game. Let's give both Ateneo and UE around 5,000 fans each, composed mostly of family members of the players and close friends/supporters (who probably have tickets already). It's the remaining 5,000, who are either just interested spectators or UAAP basketball fans in general, who can make the difference. If these 5,000 fans donate the 200 pesos they would have spent on the ticket that's an instant 1 million peso UAAP relief fund. (and that already matches the amount donated by Manny Pacquiao)
Even better, they can pool their money with the friends they were going to watch with, and buy mineral water and basic foodstuff. They can give this directly to people they know who have been affected by the floods. This may be a small contribution, and will not be enough to replace the possessions they lost. But I'm sure it will go a long way in lifting their spirits, and in strengthening their resolve to move forward after this tragedy.
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