25 years
of
Community Service
MUNTING NAYON
News Magazine
Operated by couple Eddie Flores and Orquidia Valenzuela
News and Views of the
Filipino Community Worldwide
Filipinos take snowstorms in stride




By Willie Jose

 
 


As I’m writing this piece, outside our home here in Toronto, the temperature is between -30-40 C and though many people are anxiously thinking of how they could possibly bear this extreme coldness, I’m sure that many of our Kababayans are taking this kind of adversity in stride.

We Filipinos are a rare kind of people in the sense that we can easily bear any hard situation we might   face given the experiences we have had back home in overcoming more difficulties such as earthquakes, super typhoons, volcanic eruptions and other natural calamities.
 
Well, I don’t mean to say that the extreme chilly weather we are experiencing in Toronto is not a serious matter but for us Filipinos, our normal reaction is  “ this is a temporary thing, Bahala Na”.

This Bahala Na attitude, roughly translates as “come what may or what must be, must be “ is something that serves us well during times of calamities that come our way; we endure and bear any kind of hardship this life has to offer. This kind of attitude gives us the strength and perseverance to adapt to different situations, particularly those things that are beyond our control such as the occurrence of natural calamities.

We could even claim with certainty that as a people we are  “ survivors” in a sense that we’ve migrated in Canada to escape the worst kind of storms hitting regularly back home-- the storms of corruption, the blizzards of economic uncertainties, and the ice storm of violence and criminality.

Tell me now, who among us cannot survive this -40C chilly winds and snowstorms?

Right in the middle of the snowstorm in a few weeks ago, a neighbor of mine, Jesse de Leon, talked to me about the possibility of tapping the services   of the Filipinos living in our   condo complex to volunteer in distributing the salts in the complex, and clearing some areas, instead of waiting for the contractors to do the job considering the urgency of the times.

In short, that’s our Bayanihan Spirit in action—and we ‘ve seen this kind of community spirit in our complex last summer when some people volunteered their time and service for sprucing up the complex.

On a personal level, I had to push through the get-together party I had scheduled to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary right in the middle of the storm; I didn’t have the way to cancel the affair because everything was down, no phones, no internet, no way to contact our guests. So the party went on and it was unique because literally it was a candlelight dinner and the only party where the host was telling his guests not to take off their jackets and only the loving greetings of our guests warmed the occasion.

Because of the natural calamities I have experienced back home, now I make it sure that I’m always prepared for any unforeseen happening to us, so I have a number of candles, flashlights, well-stocked food, a little butane-fuel stove, water and other emergency provisions.

My whole family members, including my daughter Katrina and her husband Fred, who came all the way from Ohio, were with us at home, persevering, and enjoying our togetherness/bonding during the three-day, no-electricity, snowstorm in December.

The lesson—it pays to be ready all the time.


    MoreFilipinos take snowstorms in stride
    Willie Jose

    As I’m writing this piece, outside our home here in Toronto, the temperature is between -30-40 C and though many...
    MoreThe joy of spending time at malls —Pinoy Seniors
    Willie Jose

    One afternoon, while I was at food court of the Scarborough Town Center enjoying my cup of brewing...
    MoreAn open letter to PLM’s 1st Batch, Class of 1967
    Willie Jose

    Dear friends and beloved alumni,

    We are happy to know that in the next few days, most of you,...
     
    MoreKNIGHTS OF RIZAL REPRESENT THE PHILIPPINES  AT HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW 2014
    Department of Foreign Affairs

    The Knights of Rizal booth featuring a Philippine nautical scene and orchids....
    MoreAMBASSADOR GATAN LAUNCHES FIRST SUMMIT OF YOUNG FILIPINO-CANADIAN LEADERS
    Philippine Embassy-Ottawa

    10 March 2014 –Upon the initiative of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, young leaders and mentors from Filipino communities across Canada gathered at the St. Michael’s College School in Toronto on 8 March 2014 for the first Young Filipino-Canadian Leaders’ Summit....
     
    MoreFilCan is Second Runner Up in Star Bellydancer Canada Competition Fusion Category
    Mogi Mogado

    A FilCan dancer's foray into the sultry world of bellydancing has earned her one of the contest's top honors in Canada....
    MorePWUAASC 30TH ANNIVERSARY and GRAND REUNION ON AUGUST 16, 2014
    Esther Reyes

    Calling all PHILWOMENIANS !! Bring your family and friends. Join us in celebrating our 30th Anniversary and Grand Reunion dinner...
    MorePHILIPPINES DELIVERS STRONG SHOWING AT 64th BERLIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    Department of Foreign Affairs

    Ambassador Natividad welcomes the production teams of “Quick Change”: Dan Villegas (Cinematographer), Ferdinand Lapuz (Producer),...
    MoreNOTICE OF REGISTRATION AND ELECTION TO ALL FILIPINO CITIZENS

    Notice is hereby given that under the Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as "The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of...
    MoreRCA photography group conducts workshop on post-processing
    Marlon Baris Vicente

    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: As part of the continouos love for high fashion photography, Riyadh Creative Artists (RCA) Fashion...
    MoreINVITATION TO: AU PAIR RECOGNITION DAY

    Date: March 16, 2014 ( 13:30  -  17:30 HRS)
    Venue: Catholic Church, Ruysdaelstraat 39
    AMSTERDAM-THE NETHERLANDS

    COME...
     
    Disclaimer

    Contents posted in this site, muntingnayon.com, are the sole responsibility of the writers and do not reflect the editorial position of or the writers' affiliation with this website, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine.

    This site, muntingnayon.com, the website owner, the webmaster and Munting Nayon News Magazine do not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages arising for any reason whatsoever from this website or from any web link used in this site.