Immersion

Every monday I see to it that I become more Filipino than I already am, by watching Misadventures of Maverick and Ariel. Just so you know, it's about two friends setting out into an adventure, around the metro, be it in Quiapo buying clothes from bazaars, or to their own hometowns etc... It's wierd but I admit, I enjoy it and my Monday's are never complete without watching them.

Last night's episode was IMMERSION. They had acquainted themselves with a certain English-speaking man, Geneva, whom they think is being ignored by our society. The funny thing was, Ariel decided they should do some kind of immersion by definition meaning "deep engagement" into something. What they had done was to actually be like one of our famous "taong grasa" and ask people for money or what have you. It is their way to better understand their friend Geneva and to be able to help him out. The thing is, Geneva is not even a "taong grasa", he's just one of those guys that are maybe categorized as "bum". So it was a laugh trip.

As for my piece of reflection on this, I too, saw myself as one of the people on the streets ignoring those that need my help, as what Maverick had stated towards the end of the show. Sometimes we come to think of the "taong grasa" as an eye sore, but really, they need help. Sometimes we think they are in some kind of syndicate and that they are not really poor or whatever. Nevertheless, give.

As for Geneva, it was a good thing the duo had tried to understand him in more ways than one. I admire Ariel for being such a friend. And what is a friend? Someone who'll be there for you no matter what.

I'd like to be immersed in the same way. I'd like to understand the world in which these "taong grasas" live and yeah, to help them. All I can say is that there is always that Mother Teresa in us somehow.