To begin with, we have friends named Edi or Eddie. There is City Councilor Edi Borja who will be leaving for the United States next week for a personal trip. There is Fidel Ramos, the ex-president whose nickname is Eddie. Ed Babor is really Eddie.

But this Edi is surnamed Managaytay, a colleague at the Holy Name University who is presently in the US for a break.

We are giving way to his "plain observations" while being there in the land of milk and honey. Here it goes.

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"Just recently I attended mass on the feast of St. Joseph at the church of Our lady of Mercy in New Jersey officiated by Fr. Fernando. Tagbilaranons of Eastern USA really did celebrate the fiesta as if they were really in their respective homes out there in Tagbilaran City. It made me realize that once a Boholano, will always be a Boholano, (by the way, am a Boholano by affinity)

Two days ago, I had the chance of watching the baseball game played between the New York Nets and the Washington Nationals. I was not impressed by the games but I was impressed by the way people respected the Security Force at the SHEA stadium.

There was one instance, that a group of teenagers were making noise, I could see how the sharp eyes of the guards stared at them. Out of joy perhaps, one of those guys threw an empty bottle of softdrink to the mezzanine level, no one was hurt, but he was collared by the guard, then many guards came to support. As a consequence, the whole noisy group was led out of the stadium."

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"On the subway train, one teenager jumped over the entrance where one swipes his card in order to enter. When he was seen by the police, the teenager was collared and was given a ticket. In New York City, the police force is very visible, and mind you, the policemen are well respected by the people.

There was an instance that a garbage can had smoke, in less than five minutes, the firemen, ambulance and the police were already at the scenario with all their gadgets. (One must have called them) So quick!

On the collection of garbage, I really appreciated Mayor Dan Lim in his drive to make Tagbilaran clean (by the way I live in La Paz,. Cortes) This is exactly what is done here, there is an appointed time for collection. However, in this city, it's a bit advanced because they are now on proper segregation. One time, our neighbor was not able to separate the waste well. When the garbage man opened it and found out that it was wrong, he was fined for $50. After sometime, I knew that it was his second offense. They really mean business here. (By the way, 50 dollars is real money when you spend it here in US)."

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"Last May 1, when Tagbilaran City was celebrating the annual fiesta, some establishments here in New York and all part of US were closed. People were on protest battling for the legalization of immigrants. I just came to believe that there are many illegal immigrants here in US. Most of those who joined the protests were Mexicans, Jamaicans and other Latinos. Of course, there are a lot of Fiipinos here. I could hear them speak in train stations and in the parks.

In my reflection, I do not see them as illegal immigrants, I see them as ECONOMIC REFUGEES. I suppose if the country of these people would just take a serious consideration on how to uplift the economy, people will not leave their country.

I am saddened on that advertisement on TV about an OFW of which Gary V sang a song praising OFWs as new heroes. YES, they really did help the Philippine economy with their dollar remittances. Upon the other hand, it pushes a serious question, "Why is there a need for this continuing exodus!?"

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"Ironically, we are a country with many boxers, but have we asked why do we have plenty of boxers? I think it's because of poverty. Look at the "yesterdays" of our boxers. The same with Mexican boxers. And most of the time, we have a Filipino boxer going up against Mexicans for a world class belt.

One last observation. People here can eat what they like, what can be eaten by rich people can also be eaten by anybody. Anyone one can enter a first class restaurant! Everything here is affordable!
But anyway, lifestyle here is fast, and indeed, this place is really a place for industrious people. That is why I understand why Americans really find time for tours and relaxations.

Soon, I will be home. And the real battle starts again!"

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