Out of synch?

STORMS and monsoon rains have caused many floods, landslides. The disaster areas are depressing. The good Samaritans — in the form of the humanitarian, civic and religious groups — are helping, saving, feeding the distressed families and communities.
However, there are insulated zones — far from the calamities, the madding crowd and the vicious political circus. Enclosed in a bubble, the lavish parties at mansions, clubs and hotels project an impression of nonchalant prosperity. Weddings, debuts and kiddie parties are staged like Hollywood productions. Is it a conjured evanescent mirage of bravado?
Are some people oblivious to reality? In their surreal sphere, they remain blissfully “unaware” like ostriches with their heads buried in the sand. By cocooning in opulent splendor, they can isolate themselves indefinitely. It’s a prolonged game of “Let’s pretend.”
People have divergent levels of consciousness when it comes to the basics such as environment — water and air. One socially conscious citizen is sensitive and protective of the environment. Another is indifferent. One conserves water. The other spills it casually. It is a sin or a crime to be so wasteful.
Opposites inhabit the same world and their contradictory actions would not matter in the grand scheme.
City dwellers have become negligent and wasteful about conserving potable water. The air we breathe is polluted with toxic fumes from dilapidated vehicles. What do the LTO and MMDA do about the filthy emissions? Do their officers stop and penalize violators? Despite the mandatory emission tests, there are trucks, buses and taxis, tricycles that continue to spew black smoke.
Who is responsible for catching and penalizing the offending drivers?
Garbage piles burn in empty lots. Factories and commercial establishments emit billowing clouds of grease and carbon dioxide. Old container vans exhaust untold quantities of invisible poison into the air — at night.
Water, a precious commodity is so scarce. Despite the countless warnings and advisories in media, the mindless splashing continues.
At exclusive enclaves, gardeners nonchalantly water the immaculately manicured gardens and blooms. They hose down the cars with gushing water. The real culprits are not the gardeners and drivers but their employers who expect verdant gardens and shiny, dust-free cars.
One should look at the vacuous egocentric bosses and wives who are more concerned about impressing others — attending parties in fabulous fashionable attire. Do they care?
Global warming has drastically affected the water supply. “Water conservations and the devastating effects of El Niño are the problems of others,” some people rationalize. “Anyway, we have truckloads of money to pay the bill and to buy truckloads of water.”
Is this cavalier attitude caused by indifference or lack of awareness? Or self-absorption?
On the positive side, many environment-friendly homeowners disallow water sprinklers. They strictly enforce house rules such as recycling soapy laundry water to clean the driveways. They install bricks in WC’s to minimize water wastage.
Creating compost heaps are much better than burning twigs and leaves. In the spirit of cooperation, they sacrifice their beautifully landscaped lawns to save water for the community.
People have short memories and have forgotten the power shortages, the long blackouts of the early ’90s. They have conveniently dismissed the hassles of those interminable dark nights and the hot days without power.
Some flamboyant residents tempt fate by showing off their grandiose, over decorated villas. Having too many garden lights is callous and insensitive in the context of today’s crises. They show extravagance and apathy.
Fairy lights tastefully installed in a garden can look magical. Everything sparkles in the evenings and induce an aura of gaiety.
However, when the blinkers are overused and overdone, they are garish and tacky and hazardous.
Ostentation and flamboyance are the height of conspicuous consumption. During emergencies, they are totally out of synch and out of place.
The wise, sensible politically correct actions are simple — remain low key, trim the fat, practice austerity, preserve resources, and recycle materials.
A reality check is an antidote to excess.
 
Maria Victoria Rufino is an artist, writer and businesswoman. She is president and executive producer of Maverick Productions.
mavrufino@gmail.com