Who? Me?
Not sure how many can identify with me but in the late ’60s and ‘70s the “in” thing was the bands. There was a proliferation of bands that up to now we nostalgically enjoy listening to. There were the Led Zeppelin, Kiss, WHO, Chicago, America, Crosby Stills & Nash, even animals like the Monkees were thriving (apologies to their fans). Beatles is one of the most remembered of course. It was high school days and early college where we continued to suffer adolescence. Most frequently asked of course was “are you a member of a band?” (“Combo” was the most slang Pinoy term used.) That was the “chick magnet” of my time. And with intent to deceive most would reply “yes!” with an honest hardly audible “kombo mangon tanghali na” (another adolescent affliction from excessive parties). Looking back, it was not just an adolescent wanting to be “in.” It was more of a “need” to belong. Looking back a few years, the most painful words to a kid were “hindi ka kasali.” The rest of the clichés we would later learn —Man is a social being, no man is an island, etc.
Thus from “patintero, tumbang preso, luksong tinik, Boy/Girl Scouts, Sodality, Debate Team, Chess Club, Gamma Kappa, Alpha Phi Omega, Beta Sigma, Toastmasters, Jaycees, Kiwanis, up to our golden years when the Knights of Columbus orient us to more benign activities we are members of a group. (Not to mention the less informal ones like the tsismosa de hijas, damas pakialameras, etc.) Some loose, some structured, others tightly knit (even brutal) but there are common denominators.
But there is something unique in “associations” (social, economic, cause-oriented group, etc.) that I want to point out. Cause-oriented is the first point. Members rally on a particular cause. The second point is the voluntary nature. Nothing other than one’s desire (or maybe pressure/influence of a close associate) obligates one to become a member. The third point is the wide spectrum of social class, professions, age (Jaycees are the only ones I know that takes you in at 18 but asks you to leave and be productive somewhere else after 40) that become involved. The fourth point, and very important in our contemporary society, are the possibilities of the groups becoming a power block in the society as a whole.
So, let’s talk about the San Pablo City Association before I get lost in what I want to do. We want you to become members of The City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City Association East Coast Chapter USA. Let’s talk about the downsides: There is no monetary compensation. It will take your time to attend meetings and gatherings. It might even cost you some resources (starting with the 2 years $10 membership dues). It will ask you to share your thoughts and ideas. And you will have to deal with the uniqueness and eccentricities of some members. But there are a few upsides: A grateful smile of a child from the orphanage we support. You definitely will be entertained by outrageous ideas and ridiculous thoughts every now and then. (Your ridiculous ideas and outrageous thoughts will be heard by others too.) If you so desired you can even sleep on the mattress we provide street children as long as you do not use the personal hygiene materials we donated. The warm camaraderie of the officers and members is always available to you during food distributions, community projects, group outings, and organized and accidental shopping. And while you are engaged in these activities we hope you will share our vision to improve the lives of our kababayans in particular and the whole community in general. Finally, we hope you will retrieve that youthful feeling na “KASALI KA”. “Kasama ka sa hirap at ginhawa, sa lungkot at saya ng bawat tao”.
