More reason to pray

Just how concerned are you about what has happened in Iran and Israel? Most people, especially those who were not around in the 70s, will probably adopt the “not in our region, not our problem.”

Others might think there’s no point in thinking about it because “I” can’t do anything about it. Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, we will all be “collateral damage” or impacted by the Iran-Israel conflict.

If forecasts are correct, all of us who drive cars, use Grab services, operate businesses dependent on vehicles using diesel and gasoline are expected to experience a disturbing rise in the cost of fossil fuel.

Unfortunately, that is only the impact of the initial exchange of missile and drone attacks. But as Prof. Alex Magno pointed out in his column last Saturday, things could escalate easily, and God forbid if other “players” join the rumble to regional crumble.

The worst thing all of us can do is to sit and watch the conflict the same way we watch sporting events and fictional wars on TV. It is good to be informed but it is even better to be prepared for the consequences of war.

The first hint was the impact on airline travel and routes. When missiles start flying, airlines and pilots all try to get out of harm’s way. But in doing that, our wallets get harmed by higher airline fares and longer flights.

We don’t think much of it but for an OFW-dependent country, such regional conflicts also affect future deployment of OFWs and seafarers. That will surely affect future remittances as well as the economy.

Then there is the direct threat to the personal safety of Filipinos in the region or out at sea. Several Filipinos have already been held hostage in the past by pro-Islamic militants using gun boats. And always, the Philippine government is responsible for locating and repatriating Pinoys in areas of conflict.

Back in the Philippines, we simply adjust or tighten our belts when such conflicts raise fuel prices. But in the 1970s price was not the issue but supply. I can still recall lining up with my father at a gas station outside UP Diliman to buy about 10 or maybe 20 liters of gasoline.

Nobody complained about the prices, they complained about waiting in line for hours for so little. The experience was so traumatic it led to the disappearance of 6- and 8-cylinder American gas guzzlers that were replaced by Japanese 4-cylinder cars.

That was the first major “lifestyle change” in the Philippines, the shift to Japanese cars. That was followed by carpooling, which my college friends and I at UP Manila practiced all week where we chipped in for the gas.

If vehicles on the road were inefficient, the same was probably true for power generation or the electric companies all over the Philippines. Fuel costs often resulted in “brownouts” as cost cutting measures, while consumers paid more.

Unfortunately, we are only beginning to invest on solar farms and if the Iran-Israel war escalates into a full-on Middle East crisis, chances are our pockets will take a direct hit in the price of electricity as well.

Lifestyle change is easier to accomplish when it’s your choice and not imposed on you by government or circumstance. Whether it is due to war or want, it would be better to start making lifestyle changes now.

Like Zoom or online meetings because of the COVID pandemic, we used the internet for conferences or chat groups for more intimate meetups. We will probably rediscover all these when prices go through the ceiling.

Many residents of Metro Manila have shifted to Grab rides and deliveries through the years to avoid the stress of driving, parking and lost hours in traffic. That was a lifestyle shift.

With my family, our next shift was to walk to places more, dress appropriately, plan our trips and try to do everything “locally”. We hold meetings at venues within walking distance, go to Sunday service within walking distance, etc. Just wear a Dri-Fit outfit and bring a microfiber towel to dry yourself with.

There is already a thriving community of bikers who take their bicycles to work, Bible studies or just fun rides across Metro Manila, even extending to the south. If the situation merits, the MMDA will surely have to upgrade the bicycle lanes on EDSA and around Metro Manila. I myself have rehabilitated four bicycles and will add more.

I am not a “prepper” but because I have been preparing for a scaled down lifestyle for when I fully retire, I realize now that planting your own vegetables and fruit trees prepares you to cope with the expensive future of food inflation.

Another thing that is really worth investing in is solar power, whether for simple lighting, fans or off grid power supply. Instead of relying on candles, “Kinki” or gas lamps during blackouts, there is so much available in terms of affordable solar powered technology to charge phones, laptops and lamps.

To paraphrase a Chinese proverb, “There is opportunity in every disaster.” Do something now or compete with the stampede tomorrow.

Last but most important of all, “Pray now more than ever.” Don’t wait for hell to break lose in the battle zone and in our lives. Call upon the most powerful force in the universe: God!

Psalm 46:9-10: “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still and know that I am God.”