Quest Magazine

QUEST M A G A Z I N E

A LOOK BEYOND WHAT’S IN THE SURFACE. S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 I

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A good appearance relies on how you move into the world where everyone and everything seems to be an epitome of nobility. You just have to know the right step to stride in but never ever stump to step back, if possible.

This world has lots of game but don’t be afraid to lose one. Remember that you just have to be a catalyst for the betterment of others, be an advocate to fight for what’s right, and be a believer of our creator, almighty God. Thus, even if you lost a game, you’d be able to satisfy not just yourself but also the cry of other people.

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It is easy to look at someone or something, and pretend you know everything about them. Most of us are blinded by what other people say, because the society has anchored goodness with glamour and glitter alone.

That is why going far more than appearances and the things that we hear will allow us to have a better understanding of the world around us.

So, don’t be afraid to look beyond the surface and see what lies beneath.

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ON THE COVER. The Tutuban night market dispalying its yearly offer for the shoppers in and out of Tondo.

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FROM THE EDITORS. Read on what the editors have to say on this month’s issue.

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SHADOWED CHAMPIONS OF THE ECOMONY. Small time business owners anhored with big roles in their families.

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SHIFT. A tale of what happens in Divisoria at night.

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HEROES OF TONDO. Ordinary people with extraordinary duties.

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A-CUTE ANGLE OF TONDO. Looking beyond the impression and image of the town that was once held back.

SHADOWED CHAMPIONS OF THE ECONOMY

The comical heroes are undeniably the epitome of our realistic savior.

They are thought to be too strong, masculine, good-looking, and using milestone efforts just to save lives. Historically, a person can be considered hero, if and only if, he/ she sacrificed himself/herself for a lot of people without thinking of getting any pleasure.

This notion has a point or is not wrong, either. But, this isn’t enough to define heroism. This conception is still needed to be clarified in full extent – which a hero, even if he has contributed something big or small in the community, is still a hero who needs to be recognized and must not be kept behind like a shadow.

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Meanwhile, as far as we are concerned, everything that we see, publicly and privately, is the product of a good economy. Elaborately, economy is the one that lets us be able eat, to improve our form of living, to support our own necessities.

In short, it’s one of the factors that make us alive.

According to the World Bank, 47.60 percent of the total number population in the Philippines are self-employed individuals. This means, these bunch of Filipinos, govern their own businesses, prduce their own products, and exude great marketability skills in reaching out their customers – primarily small hands-on businesses.

Unlike the employed individuals, it is mandatory for them to get their retirement at the age of 65, while, many of self-employed individuals don’t stop working at this age for as long as they can physically do their work, they work.

Indeed, a huge effort is needed in their job. They have to survive the raging heat of the sun and they need to stand almost a day just to serve their co-Filipinos.

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Not everyone knew that self-employed employees play a great role on the pattern of how economy works. Firstly, they are the ones who distribute goods to the public domain.

Secondly, they are the ones who make goods more convenient to the public domain and lastly, they are the ones who save us from the danger in going at a far place, for us to buy foods, because of a huge no. of self-employed individuals’ businesses place near our houses.

In every big product, it has once a diminutive endeavor.

Roughly, 3 out of 10 Filipinos are self-employed. It is according to the latest statistics of National Statistics Office.

Among the population of self-employed individuals, a number of them works in a busy street of tondo – specifically in the market of divisoria.

Unfortunately, self-employed individuals, with a small business they handle and small profit they contain, are being crafted through taxes for the sake, of course, of our national fund and preservation of economic status.

This condition is merely just one of many problems they need to face after getting themselves tired physically.

Thus, of all the cited evidences, these self-employed individuals are really our modern heroes – on the economic position.

Even though, there are just a dot among different gigantic figures in the economy, these dots are the representation which are made to reach out a large number of people in the community, the dots that, at any point, can be terminated but still, as we can see, progressing though the presence of perseverance and a heart on it.

In realization, it’s not anymore about the money involved nor for the sake of a piece of prize. It’s about how they gain experiences, how they gave services, and how they make everyone satisfied.

We have to rescale the reach of our senses. Look around in every angle and try to notice each of us. Try to measure, if this individual established the content of being shadowed hero who failed to be recognized. If yes, take the challenge to promote a way for them, about them and towards them.

Deal?

We salute all shadowed heroes!

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A STORY OF WHAT HAPPENS IN DIVISORIA AT NIGHT.

Imagine yourself walking in the streets of Divisoria late at night. You would probably cringe at the idea. A list of hairraising situations had probably played in your mind already.

But before you start to shake your head in disapproval, let us give you a glimpse of the other side of the coin.

When the sky loses its radiance and darkness starts to seep into the atmosphere, the ever busy streets of Divisoria, known as the shopping mecca at the heart of Manila, turns into a jungle of perishable goods and haggling vendors. Despite the muddy and cramped area, people 10

in and out of Tondo visit this place to order the cheapest yet quality meats and vegetables available in Manila.

The Divisoria wet market opens at around eight in the evening. Once the vendors start to assemble their stations in strategic areas along Juan Luna street, trucks and carts will begin to rummage the available roads, delivering the goods to its designated sellers.

Despite the negative image this place has, people are jolly and are very welcoming. Their warm smiles would

ATTENTION. A man busily arranges his dried goods in an orderly manner, hours before the starts of his

KING OF THE EVENING. Despite the lateness of the hour, a porter in Divisoria devours his energy in delivering goods to its propective buyers.

QUALITY CHECK. Making sure that her goods are of the best quality, a woman checks and separates unpleasantly looking onions from the good

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ONLY THE FRESHEST. A butcher tends to his customer while picking the freshest meats to be sold.

definitely make you think twice if this is really the place that people refuse to visit. Although this would not assure total security, still, it could attest the fact that Divisoria is also breathed by people who are decently living outside the perception that the society has labelled them.

Another thing that is quite remarkable in this place is that it never sleeps. In my everyday walk in the busy streets of Divisoria at night, I always come across people from different walks of life. Some are already on their way home, about to reward themselves a good rest after a

long day at work or school. But for others, the day is just about to begin. I wonder how these people manage to make it through everyday, given the fact that this is a total shift from the usual routine that most of us grew up with. At some point, I have come to realize that the shift of these people has something to tell us— that we have no assurance of tomorrow. But we can always try to put things together by preparing ourselves and looking ahead.

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MODERN D A Y H E R O E S

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he society has defined heroism as a term that describes a person who is well-known, powerful and has a strong sense of empathy and morality.

In today’s time, heroism is not only exclusive to the western Superman and Spiderman. Or to the masculine Captain Barbell and capewearing Darna. Our modern day heroes are just as simple as who we are. They live and interact with us.

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BUILDER. A man patiently waits for the go signal from the authority before assembling the pile of metals to be used for tents in a commercial mall in Tondo.

KING OF THE ROAD. Despite the roughest struck of the sun’s heat, this traffic enforcer never argues to stop just to serve the right flow of traffic in his post.

FYI. Guard/bagger/key informant. This man appears to be multi-worker. It’s not anymore about the price he receives but about how he is able to serve and help others.

PADYAK. Despite his age, this old man competes with other younger sidecar drivers just to earn decently for his family.

GREEN HEART. This street sweeper rummages the streets of Divisoria at noon just to keep the place clean and free from trash.

Within the vicinity of Tondo, Manila, several exemplary individuals are simply performing their everyday work, without knowing that the daily accomplishment of their tasks is a big help to those people around them.

It is quite surprising that in a place known for robbers and thieves, modern day heroes exist.

They may not catch your attention at one glance, but looking closely at these people, you would realize how much they value their work more than anything else.

It is because of them why there are people who still believe that Tondo, afterall, still has hope. These people opened our eyes and gave Tondo a brighter picture— different from the grim image that it has always been affixed with.

Acute. Adj. very serious and dangerous.

A-Cute. Adj. a perspective which is delightful.

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ondo is known as a dangerous habitation. Killings, snatchings, and pickpocketing are said to be rampant inside this domicile. Perhaps, it’s maybe the reason why a lot of people are afraid to go here and a lot of parents tell their children to always think of their safety while going around the place.

It is indeed a bad connotation for the place where our heroes in the past were once a dweller.

But, is it really the place which possesses the problem? Or it’s us who think a wrong perception towards the place?

Open our senses even for a while and try to look at the different angle which tondo also grips. Look around the corner and give a glimpse to its delightful substance that, no one knows, could bring out the lighter side of you.

Tactlessly, People in Tondo are observed to be having strong personality. Because of this, they were given stereotypes as to what also reflects to their physical appearance.

They were put into the blame of why it’s a dangerous place to visit to. It’s a big no-no, right? If agree, then close your eyes for a minute and open it again. Erase this connotation and let’s see the positive side.

Tondo is a place where true happiness happens. Agree or not? If not? Let’s differentiate happiness from true happiness. Happiness happens when you enjoy the situation without exerting extra effort on. While, true happiness happens after you satisfied yourself and finished a work with full efforts have been exerted.

As far as we’re concerned, poverty is widespread in Tondo. People in Tondo have to double the time in order to gain

A-CUTE ANGLE OF TONDO the right profit. Definitely, every single day is important and every single minute must not be put into trash. That’s why, seeing them with a smile, although not often, is the most precious moment you could ever see.

Furthermore, if we open again our history books, Tondo is place of several Filipino heroes, including Andres Bonifacio.

Through his presence, he was able to unify all veteran heroes to fight for the Philippines’ independence. Until now, bayanihan among people in tondo of this generation is clearly evident.

It’s refreshing to know that although Tondo people know they were the subject of people’s terrify, they are still able to continue their life and also, are able to share happiness despite everything.

Amazingly, the place that’s given a prejudice is also the place where religion is given high priority. It depicts that they also function as religious individuals.

However, whether we admit or not, Tondo was once a bad place to reside in. Even in the history, it’s a place of battleship. But, don’t dare to stop on it, instead, move forward to the present up until the future.

Because, today, it’s really more fun in Tondo.

QUEST M A G A Z I N E

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