A Closer View

Looking out from my room on the 18th floor of the Diamond Hotel, Manila Bay was tranquil as far as I could see; traffic flowed along the tree-lined Roxas Boulevard; passenger “Jeepneys” competed with tricycles and taxis on the streets below and people didn’t seem to be bothered by the hot and sunny day. I saw the hustle and bustle of the city as a sign of progress and growth. In the distance is the Makati financial center and further up the boulevard new hotels and casinos are being built. The government and the people must be doing better with all the taxes and wealth they must be generating. With few exceptions, Manila looked nice from that view.

My room was very comfortable, and the staff was eager to meet my every need. Everyone smiled and warmly greeted me. At the sumptuous breakfast buffet, the wait staff wore formal attire (in this tropical country) and was very attentive. When I tried to refill my own coffee cup, several people rushed to do it for me. A little man in a chef’s hat seemed to be in charge and made sure I was well cared for. The rest of the hotel staff also provided wonderful service with a smile. A beauty contest was being held in the hotel, but many of the staff members were more attractive than the contestants. From that point of view, Manila was a great place to be.

If you take a closer view, you will notice things aren’t so perfect. Along Manila Bay there are many hurting people. Whether it is homeless people looking for a handout or vendors scraping out a meager living selling trinkets, this isn’t a nice place for them. As for public transportation providers, they work long hours and fight traffic all day, yet nobody makes much money. Even people on the street hurry about in the heat because they must. Air-conditioned taxis, which are cheap to me, are more than they can afford. The legendary Jeepneys are cheaper but are also hot and crowded. With no social safety net to care for them, these people can die of sickness or starvation in the very shadow of opulent riches. If their family can sacrifice enough to get them an education, they still need “connections” to get a good job that won’t pay very much. Even then, workers will be “let go” after they lose their youth and looks. The recent Manila gambling boom was the result of China cleaning house. Unfortunately, their refuse found a new home. Sadly the “boom” won’t make the people’s lives better. More youth and beauty will be drawn to the “easy money” where they will be used up and cast aside.

Even at the hotel “where everyone wears a smile” pay is low, and I saw no women that looked over 30 years old. The staff gratefully accepted my 100-peso (about $2.50) tips, though I saw few other people offering even that. Many guests acted entitled rather than appreciative of the great service. The hotel was full of older foreign businessmen and tourist, many with very young ladies in tow, that weren’t their daughters. Hopefully they were more than just amenities that came with the room, like the free water and fruit.

If you think I don’t like the Philippines, with all its problems, you are mistaken. I am angry that the rich and corrupt take advantage of the poor and vulnerable, but that problem isn’t unique to the Philippines. I see the resilience of the Filipino people under the burden of the corruption, poverty, and the hardships they face. Despite all their challenges they are hardworking, friendly, industrious, and fun-loving people. I’m not sure I would do as well in their circumstances. I have found them living and working everywhere I have been around the world. They work hard and sacrifice themselves to send money to help family members back home. They love their own food, culture, and people, but must go overseas to make a good living.

Fortunately, GOD takes a closer view of us. He can see the big picture, but also cares enough to look in our heart and see what is going on in our innermost being. None of us are entitled to what He offers. His love doesn’t depend on our talent or abilities. We can’t pay for what He has to offer, but we must accept it. We deserve to die for our own sin, but He sacrificed His son to take our place. He wants us to accept His love and share it with a lost and dying world. He wants us to show others that abiding (living) in Him is a nice place to be, especially when you take a closer view.

Wayne Lance – That’s Good News to Share!