The world hasn't ran out of gentlemen:)

Finally, I'm done with the first week of our Basic Skills Training, and just 3 months and 3 weeks to go before I can formally apply for a job. There are a lot of things I'm thankful for for the past week- my daily safe travel to and from the house, always reaching the hospital on time, my family's support, their health and safety, my allowance including a little money to spare for miscellaneous needs/wants:), my good friend Mark's safe return to the country, my good health, new friends/co-trainees (KC, Ate Rina, Ate Inah, Irish, Jessica, Ara), strength, knowledge, wisdom, etc. I could probably go on and on and never run out of things I can thank God for, for He has never failed to shower me with His abundant blessings every second of my life. But aside from those things, I was also blessed, for two consecutive days, to have ridden overcrowded buses on the way home and yet find an empty, available chair especially reserved for me..hah! Well, that wasn't what really happened, as if... I was talking more of how special I felt when two men, in two separate occasions, offered their already paid precious seats to me. I know I'm not exceptionally beautiful, just pretty in my own simple way especially in my all-white nursing uniform and hair-tied-in-a-bun. I'm not sure if I looked like I couldn't handle the travel in standing position but I think it would be better to consider what happened as a blessing, rather than troubling myself, trying to find a reason why they offered their seats, as if it could never happen.

One was a middle-aged man, and the other looked like he's in his mid-20's. Does this mean that being a gentleman comes with age? Well in fairness to my guy friends (Francis, Gregg, Barb, Jogs), I can proudly say that they're among the endangered specie of gentlemen in our generation. (especially Francis!) It was through them, aside from my father and cousins, that I learned that men are supposed to stay on the danger side when crossing the road, that men are essentially helpful and generous, that men let the lady go first, that men can offer to hold the umbrella (since they're also usually taller), ask your permission to place their arm on your shoulder to keep you close when it's raining very hard (even when you're already very close friends!), and guide you and cross the road with you (because they're worried you'll get hit by a passing vehicle.:)

I know that we've been fighting for gender equality for decades, that women should be treated as men's equals; that the things men can do, women can do too, much better even at times. The men who refused to offer their seats to women would probably rationalize that we asked for this, that this comes as a consequence of all our complaints concerning gender insensitivity. But no matter how much we try, we can never deny the fact that men and women are two very different individuals, physically and including all the other aspects; that while we fight for equality and eradication of all types of gender discrimination, we still hope that the culture would retain the good aspects of male-female differentiation. After all, equality is not synonymous to similarity. So while we, women, retain our extra caring and nurturing (motherly) character, we expect the men to stay extra protective and helpful. I know there are also still a lot of factors to be considered such as age, and I would willingly offer my seat to a lolo with no ability to maintain balance while standing on a moving vehicle; but all I'm saying is, we can all treat each other as equals while still recognizing and respecting our own differences. Wouldn't it be great if we all cared for and looked after each other. To wish that all men would treat every woman as a lady- offering their seats, staying on the danger side when crossing the road and stuff all the time would be pushing it too hard, especially in this busy world where we all have individual concerns and considerations. Ang moral lesson talaga: Huwag sumakay ng bus kung alam mong puno na.:) But seriously, we, women would be very happy to be treated like a lady from time to time, especially by gentlemen whom we do not know, yet would gladly show that they care for just a simple 'Thank you!

So with that I say thank you and "Cheers to all the gentlemen on earth!" May your light shine that others may see the goodness of your intentions, and the joy it brings to all the women around! I hope to meet and encounter more of your kind in the coming days:) meow