No more ‘same-same’

The current fuel crisis both in supply and prices has been driving many people into panic mode, while a few others choose to stick their head in the sand, not wanting to deal with the complex chaos.

I watched and listened on the sidelines as colleagues in media, as well as government officials, tried their best to thresh out the day-to-day events in the Middle East and how it would all land in our very homes in the form of hyperinflation and scarcity.

Yes, I watched and listened on the sidelines, because during the past two weeks I was reminded as well as learned that all the wars, and rumors of wars, as well as fuel crises and hyperinflation are nothing in comparison to holding a vigil for a dying kin.

That was week one. Then he died in week two and my concerns shifted to funeral arrangements, escorting balikbayans and then my brother had a minor heart attack and now needs a bypass!

That’s when I was reminded of the phrase: “You think you have problems?” In all of these, whether it’s fuel crisis, funeral costs or worry and concern for someone’s medical condition, there are certainly valuable lessons to be learned.

First is probably: “Cost is relative.” If the cost concerns the life or well-being of a relative, the last thing you would be concerned about is the price of fuel and your car’s fuel consumption. I don’t discount your worries; I just want to give perspective of a real crisis.

The second lesson we will all learn is: “Life goes on.” We can pause for a moment, panic for a few weeks, mourn indefinitely, but sooner or later, we simply carry on. You bite the bullet and buy the diesel that is now more expensive than the alcohol you drink!

In my case, I simply finished one problem, paused and am now preparing for the medical concern that lies somewhere in the very near future for my brother. I stopped thinking of the cost, stopped worrying about the expense, because we will all have to bite the bullet!

And that’s the third lesson for me and perhaps you, our dear readers, will take it to heart. If you need to, “bite the bullet!” I learned from installers that there has been a sudden rush of people deciding to have solar power systems installed in their homes.

A month ago, those same people were just curious, asking about prices and wondering if having solar at home was really a good idea and a good investment. Hesitation was their middle name.

Well, as of last week, they all jumped into the deep end, ready to pay the price before the Prince of Darkness returns in the form of brownouts, blackouts and frightening electric bills that are sure to go sky high.

While not everybody can afford to have a complete solar power setup at home, you can apply the next lesson, solve the problem step by step or, as I like to say, go Modular!

Divide the plan. Don’t try to do everything at once if it will mean making unnecessary financial sacrifices. Figure out what is most important or necessary, make a list and deal with each, step by step.

When I first started experimenting with solar, we installed solar streetlights for security. Then we installed solar flood lights for toilets and the kitchen area in the farmhouse.

The next big step was to install modular solar water pump for our deep well and water storage tank. The one for the deep well cost as much as an iPhone 17 Pro Max. For the price of two new iPhones and a laptop, you can have enough solar power for basic needs.

All of these concerns and worries reminded me of my experience after Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda destroyed Tacloban City. The first thing people needed badly was water, some means of communicating with loved ones and a way of getting around.

Fuel supply was restricted to government and first responders for the most part and roads were so full of debris that even if you had a car, the guy on a motorcycle or bicycle still traveled faster.

As a result, I started “collecting” old solid steel bicycles as well as cheap Japanese surplus store bicycles and now have enough bicycles in Pasig and Lipa City. My pastor tells me that having an electric bike really helps, so that’s under consideration.

Next lesson: the problem you see may be the solution you need. During the COVID pandemic, many of us learned to celebrate life, value good health and family relations. That disaster was supposed to reset our priorities, lifestyle and values.

If it did, it only lasted until the malls were opened and planes could fly. Then we all returned to materialism, hedonism or reverted to whatever characters we were before COVID.

This time around, if the Middle East crisis turns into an actual world war, some people are predicting a global factory shutdown or, even worse, “The Great Depression” on a global scale.

What really is the “problem”? Is it fuel, war and politics, existential threats of one nation against another? The problem may just be our survival in day-to-day terms.

If all else fails, are you prepared logistically, spiritually and psychologically? Remember, Hell could be one Mad Man away.

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