There’s a Filipino saying that goes:

“Batu-bato sa langit, ang tamaan ay huwag magalit. Ang pikon ay laging talo”

(As I am not really very proficient in translating from one language to another, I won’t attempt to translate it anymore so I’d like to apologize to my non-Filipino speaking visitors.)

Back when I was younger, people around me, especially friends and classmates always teased me a lot because I was pikon. I couldn’t take teasings that much probably because I had too much insecurities to resolve with back in the heydays of my childhood (I always thought I was ugly, no, not exactly the pimply ugly type who’d need Zeno.) Although I hadn’t fully outgrown my being pikon, I am proud to say that at least I’ve matured enough to take much of the blows when people start poking fun at me. Riding it on with jokes would sometimes be fun, but at times when it’s no longer funny anymore, I use my utmost patience so everyone would be at peace. I hate getting angry because I tend to say the most hurtful words and hit the person at his/her weakest point. I don’t like getting mad because when I am mad, all hell breaks loose. I don’t exactly look like I’m very friendly in person so I’d like to balance my mataray looks with a jolly and friendly disposition. In fact, sometimes I think I become way too friendly that other people start to think they can do and say anything without tugging at the wrong strings.

I can take people who appear as though they were raised without manners (or in simple Filipino terms: bastos) ‘coz I’ve learned how some people are just acting it out and in reality are very good-natured people. I can take it when suddenly the spotlight would be on me and be the center of the ridicule. I’m not exactly a killjoy so yes, I can take much of what you dish out on me. But then, what I don’t understand is how some people would be really too insensitive to the point that they already cross boundaries that they shouldn’t be crossing. I think no amount of closeness is enough for disrespect without regard.

Someone once reminded me how I shouldn’t be expecting that people around me would adjust for me. What she forgot to mention was that making adjustments is a two-way street. Life is intrinsically not fair that’s why we adjust so it would be fair for everyone.

I’ve always adjusted to these kind of people but sorry I am also just human with limitations.

“Batu-bato sa langit, ang tamaan ay huwag magalit. Ang pikon ay laging talo”