A Filipino Summer
By Lourdes-Jean Z. Tamondong

 

Summer has always been -- and probably always will be -- eagerly awaited by the youth, especially those who spend the rest of the year cooped up within the four walls of their classrooms. They look forward to the time when they can finally rid themselves of mounds of homework and annoying exams that they routinely go through. Those working excitedly anticipate well-deserved breaks after slaving away for months on end. After all, who wouldn't want that?

Endless sunshine, white-sand beaches, family vacations, and barkada gimmicks galore. That's the game plan for summer. Promos regarding air, land, and water transports pop up all over the place, enticing the public to take advantage of their "lower-than-usual" rates. Families make plans to go on trips around the country and/or abroad, visiting relatives and friends in far-away places, something they are unable to do at any other time of the year. Clubbing becomes not just a weekly ritual, but a nightly one. Places like Eastwood, Malate, and the Fort become THE places to be. Resorts become a part of everyone's agenda. Residents and tourists alike flock to Boracay, Batangas, Palawan, and other beaches to enjoy the sand, sun, and sea. Barkada outings are made, and without the added stress of school, they are enjoyed immensely. Parents enroll their kids in art & music classes and sports clinics in hopes of discovering some hidden talent in their youngsters. Forget about the saying "early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise". During the summer, it's all about sleeping in, preferably in air-conditioned bedrooms to ward off the summer heat, mall-hopping during the day, and partying all night. It's a cycle no one seems to tire of. It's a pretty nice life –- that is, if you can afford it.

Every summer, magazines, newspapers and TV shows feature the same old thing. Relaxing, shopping, hanging out... basically people living the good life. But think about it. More than 60% of the country's population consists of people who do not exactly live the "good life". In fact, for most Filipinos, summer is just like any other time of the year. Those working see it as just another day, another opportunity to earn. They can't afford to take days off from work because they have families to support and mouths to feed. Those who can, troop to malls, not to shop, but to take advantage of the free air-conditioning to beat the heat. Some teens take on summer jobs to earn extra cash and to help out their families.

But that doesn't mean their summer isn't fun. They have extra time to spend with their families and friends. They can go on trips, thanks to cheaper fares, and enjoy the beauty of the places they visit. They are able to engage in activities they did not have time for before. And partying isn't always expensive. Town fiestas and the like provide them the opportunity to hang loose without spending too much.

Summer isn't all about money and paying your way to and for everything. It's possible to enjoy the season even without extra cash. What matters are the people you spend it with. Who would enjoy being in the ritziest resort on earth if you don't exactly get along with the people you're with?

As long as you're surrounded by the people you love, you've got it made. Your summer is sure to be a total blast.