That Hot Obsessive Ex

As I sit here on my green plastic chair, the ones that you commonly see in birthday parties at someone's garage, with my warm, not hot, instant Jin ramen that I've modified with milk, cheese, and egg to mute the spiciness (failed), and the litre-ish of iced coffee at my side, far away from my laptop, I sit here and write to you, my dear reader. In the current high heat index that the Philippines is feeling right now, what are you doing to beat this heat?

The title is a tad bit overstretched, isn't it? Because the heat is not an ex, heck it's a best friend of the nation. We see this hot obsessive ex everyday, it's obsessing over us like the plague. Yet everytime I see a post about how hot it is, I can't help but agree, but I also can't help but criticize the lack of initiative or preparation that the nation's government has for this hot topic. Over the years, we've seen the stripping of lands and ecosystems to make way for houses that look exactly the same as each other, malls that exude so much heat, or tall skyscrapers for business magnates. The houses aren't even being sold off or able to be afforded by families that need it the most, why does the government do this? 

With this concept in mind, one wouldn't manage to keep to themselves and end up comparing the work of our government to the work of other, far advanced nations. While we do this, we must be knowledgeable of the history of our country and the difference it has with other countries. We've suffered upon the hands of our colonizers for hundreds of years. This is still so recent that we still have people who've lived through it being alive today. But there are countries that are doing so much better than us that have been colonized, what's the difference for us? 

We relied too much on the help of other nations that disguised themselves as a friend only to exploit us for our resources. Our officials are too weak and too greedy for every amount of money that their dirty, small hands could get. They chase after the wrong type of greens, only to be awarded with the blood of the Filipinos alongside the prizes they wrongfully took. When they should've chased after developing the greens that the Philippine territory already owns, our agriculture. 

The beauty of the Philippine lands is the richness and pride of the Filipinos. An obligation that the leaders of the country failed to realize was the importance of greenery, of the lands, extensive parks that showed local plants and nature that served as mini ecosystems and lungs, because those are especially important in urbanized cities or cities that are currently being modernized. 

Despite all this, the current heat index reminded me of the privilege I have of being able to sit in an air-conditioned classroom, or afford to turn on the air-conditioning unit and electric fan during the hottest hours of the day. While the solutions of the less fortunate Filipino folks are to hang out at the mall, buy halo-halo or any con yelos, buy ice and maybe make a makeshift aircon, and so many more. 

It is without a doubt that I'm grateful to be a Filipino. The resilience, mindful tactics, and even through the struggles, Filipinos are known to fight back and do what's right. Even if it's tough, and even if majority of them need to be convinced of it. However, what I do dislike is when ego and pride takes over the mind and makes the path narrow and turns one narrowminded in perspectives and interpretations of current events. 

I do wish that future generations of Filipinos learn the importance of always having a developing mindset and being aware that we live in a progressive global society. Anyhow, here are my tips and tricks to beating the heat in the Philippines/South-East Asia this scorching HOT summer! (and how to rid yourself of that terrible toxic hot ex!).

How to BEAT THE HEAT This South-East Asian Summer!

Oops! That's all I have for you to beat the summer heat this 2024! I might edit this if I have an idea or two though, thank you!