Summer Reflections
By: Russet
Date: April 19,2002

With days getting longer and nights shorter, it is definitely the start of summer. And in a tropical paradise such as the Philippines, summer is surely the most awaited part of the year.

People view summer differently.

For students, it means getting out of school and a break from all those term papers, homeworks and teachers' dirty looks! For the family, it's a time for those out of town trips, beaches, swimming and more swimming.

For the barkada, it means getting ready for another nature-tripping or peer-bonding trips outside of the metropolis.

And for the more adventurous types, summer is a time for another mountain climb or river-rafting experience.

Indeed, summer connotes fun and having fun is best during summer.

I am no different when it comes to summer. I just want to enjoy those long days and out of town trips either with family or friends.

In fact, I had the opportunity to spend a week's vacation elsewhere. After a week-long final examinations that really got all of my brain cells working, I simply wanted to have some early vacation to reward myself. Luckily though, my mom was kind enough to pay for my airfare. And so, without even waiting for my grades, off I flew to Singapore to have some time with my uncle's family.

I was really excited to see my cousins, do some shopping and visit those lovely tourist spots I have long to see for myself.

As soon as stepped out of the airport, I was already into this endless chitchatting with two of my cousins and we were already planning on how am I going to maximize my stay there. They were already inviting me to have a dip in the pool the next morning as soon as we woke up.

Singapore is such a wonderful place to visit. It boasts of being the cleanest city in the world. Would you believe that they even water the streets in the afternoon to keep the surrounding clean. And beware coz you can't buy or chew bubble gum in public.

It also has so many sites to visit and you will be amaze by the different architectural designs around. Tall buildings, museums, cultural centers and of course the lively-at-night Clark and Boat Quay.

But my visit to Singapore, to my surprise, was more than just having a weeklong break and enjoying the sights there. It made me reflect and think seriously of the life Singaporeans have and compare it to what we have in this country. Too serious? Lemme elaborate.

Singapore is a multi-racial country. You get to meet so many Chinese, Malays and Indians even while sitting on the MRT or the bus or by simply strolling around.

And yet, despite this seemingly different backgrounds, they mix well with each other. You see schoolchildren enjoying each others company, businessmen talking intently and people just being together and not being bothered by their dissimilar looks and ancestry. No discrimination, no hang-ups. They enjoy life and they allow others to. Simple yet sincere.

On my return to Manila, while I was still at the airport, I can't help but feel bad when I saw people staring at this young lady who was wearing quite an outlandish type of clothes. She was wearing a black leather skirt (not so short though) and a knee long black boots to match a red cotton top. How come we could not just accept the fashion preference of others. Its their body after all.

I guess that is probably the reason why we are besieged with so many problems. Peace talks not working. Soldiers fighting. Children in the streets…

Basically, because we fail to accept our differences and refuse to compromise. We need to realize that we have our divergence and we must try to work on our similarities instead. It may be easier said than done, but at least try to. We can by starting with small things - those that we can do by ourselves. Live and let live… it's a wonderful world after all!

My trip to Singapore made this summer even more memorable. And with summer just starting, I guess I will have more time to reflect. How about you?