Coffee & Poverty

I wasn't hoping to get out of the house today. But at one my mom, downed by the sore eyes epidemic, realized that there was a talk at my brother's school. Guess who ended up going? It wasn't really that bad. I ended up killing an hour in Starbucks (and to think I promised myself I'd stay off coffee) amidst the raucous laughter of a few girls from ICA which somewhat threw me off track as I was fixing a draft - I know I'm a nerd, so sue me. I have nothing against them; it's just that I got use to being with people in Starbucks who engage in thought provoking conversations. I'm sorry if I offended anyone, don't take it personally.

It's disturbing to see street children running down the sidewalk of one of the most expensive private school in the country. Of course they followed me, asking for some change - and of course I gave in. I just can't stand the sight of children begging. But the sight of poverty built right next to prosperity is common in this part of the world. Just last Tuesday I spotted a group of street children splashing water about in the fountain of the new Ayala Museum. We've all grown accustomed to such sights that it doesn't even promote the slightest hint of sympathy for most of us. Then again, there are reasons for us not to give in to scenes of gross iniquity - crime being one of them. Yet regardless of these obvious dangers, I still feel a deep sense of pity for these children - even if the rest of the world has gone cold.

Funny how I can be so idealistic in a blog...