…is second hand, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is that it was only given to me. Yep! During these times of crises, you just don’t give away a laptop like that, not even to a close associate.
But that’s just what my mate, Arnold, did. Alarmed by the fact that I might give up writing due to uncontrollable circumstances, he gave me his slightly used laptop as an assurance that I will never give up writing! What a generous soul!
I only got to know Arnold early last year. We were in the same call center where we’ve been working for years (we were actually considered as the pioneer/veteran employees; our employee numbers didn’t exceed the number 1,000 mark). But I only got to know him when I was transferred to his department since it needed an additional Spanish-speaking agent. He was already a Team Leader there, but I was, of course, designated to the Spanish team.
He’s perhaps the smartest TL on the call floor. Not that he’s a strict adherent to the company’s “English Only Policy”, but English is his preferred language during conversations. He’s amiable towards everyone, even to agents who are not on his team And even to the facilities staff and security guards. A masa sort of guy. We got into conversations during lunch time, where I found out that he’s a hater of environmental destruction, too. He also kept on asking about my Spanish background, and was a bit surprised to hear that he knows a thing or two about what I already know about Philippine history.
Hulk-sized for his age (and nationality), it was quite a surprise to learn that he and I shared the same kind of passion: that’s it, Philippine history. And the Spanish language. No, he doesn’t speak the language, but upon self-study and research, he knew that Spanish was illogically removed from our country. In Arnold I have found an unbiased person, who knows fairly well that when the powers-that-be removed the Spanish language from our national patrimony, it also (wittingly or unwittingly) blinded the Filipinos self-recognition, i.e., they became unfamiliar with their national identity.
The Filipinos today do not know who they are, or what they really were.
But Arnold knows. He hasn’t even spoken to any major scholars from where he could’ve learned this viewpoint. An astute researcher, Arnold never fails to uncover more truth behind the lies imposed onto Philippine eductation.
We haven’t known each other that long, but it seemed as if we’ve known each other for a long time. At long last, I have found a partner whom I can share this passion and love for everything Filipino. For many years, I was afraid that this “strong power” that I got from my Filipino scholar mentor will be left with me alone. I don’t know how to handle such potent force. What I mean to say is that I cannot do this alone. I can never reciprocate my mentor’s knowledge and wisdom, not to mention his clear and fantastic logic. I am just me compared to his great persona. I felt I wasn’t worthy to carry out his work, or at least alone to do it. But with Arnold, I think I can.
Nick Joaquín is right. There appears to be some sort of a divine pattern for us Filipinos. I’d like to think –or should I say, I DO BELIEVE– that God meant Arnold and I to team-up and fight this sick Filipino society that is now facing us.
And with this laptop (which is also my first computer!), it’s full speed ahead!
