Roses and Tikoys

February 14, 2010, marks the convergence of two occasions that, in my opinion, lack any logical significance. Please note that when I refer to "people" in the opening sentence, I deliberately exclude myself from the group of individuals who partake in these commercialized endeavors that drain funds from already depleted pockets, wallets, and bank accounts.

The first occasion is the Chinese New Year. What's the deal with this? I mean, the rest of the world has already celebrated the New Year over a month ago. Why do they insist on observing it on a different date? Aren't there already enough holidays? The Chinese claim they follow the lunar calendar, but when it comes to collecting rent, they are well-versed in the standard calendar! And as if the astronomical Zodiac signs weren't enough for the Chinese, they create their own Zodiac system. This confuses me. I'm a Leo in the Zodiac, but according to the Chinese Zodiac, I'm a Dog. Aren't those two contrasting species? Does this mean I have a conflicting personality? Perhaps this sort of thing works better for individuals with schizophrenia. Another perplexing aspect is determining when the animal year actually begins. For instance, 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, but when does it truly commence? Is it on the regular New Year or the Chinese New Year (since they came up with it)? Ponder that for a moment. I'm certain these Zodiacs are also based on the lunar calendar, which means your animal year may not be what you think it is. You might not be compatible with that Scorpio Ox girl sitting next to you.

Furthermore, during Chinese New Year, I've observed distinct differences between Filipinos and Chinese. We Filipinos seem incredibly foolish in comparison to the Chinese (although their late New Year celebration is also somewhat foolish). The Chinese don't require the Department of Health (DOH) to remind them every single year that fireworks are hazardous. They don't need local newscasters incessantly repeating what the DOH says, or the DOH showcasing videos and photos of severed fingers to scare them away from fireworks. They don't need the Philippine National Police (PNP) to prohibit them from purchasing dangerous fireworks like Piccolos and similar items. They also don't rely on Feng Shui experts to dictate what to wear, what fruit to buy, or the ideal orientation of their toilets to attract good luck. We Filipinos, on the other hand, depend on mass media for everything, even though all they do is regurgitate the same old information they shared with us last year. Yet, we still manage to surpass last year's statistics on firework-related injuries. The truth is painful.

Now, let's not even delve into Valentine's Day. Who concocted this holiday? You can take your loved one out for dinner, buy flowers and chocolates, watch a movie, spend quality time together, and engage in all sorts of cheesy activities on any of the other 364 days of the year. But no, there had to be a designated day! A day when you're expected to do those things, or you'll be deemed a sour grape. Why do we feel compelled to join the bandwagon? Allow me to illustrate it this way: why are diamonds so expensive? It's because they are unique and have undergone significant processes to become valuable. This is how relationships should be defined—through understanding and working together to overcome the challenges that lie ahead. Each relationship is as unique as a diamond. Don't force yourselves to conform to the mainstream belief that relationships are defined by the number of roses you buy or the fanciness of the restaurant where you dine.

These holidays are not meant for everyone; they are exclusively tailored for businesspeople who thrive on the gullibility of individuals blinded by the notion of external circumstances and simplistic relationships.