Shee Jay Axyne Borinaga 
“I forgot to restock our supplies, dear,” my mother claimed being able to notice me observe our refrigerator with furrowed brows. When I aimed my eyes at her, she immediately shifted her gaze to another direction. She seemed unusual. Ignoring the thought, I walked and bid her goodbye as I left for school.
It was an ordinary day. The bustling streets were filled with people whom I presumed, were running their errands. I finally get on a tricycle and along the way, an odd occurrence surfaced. A road intervention, a heavy one. Unexpected for such a small city.
With a slow progress, we were getting closer to the area of the cause. Then, there it was. Numerous vehicles swarming around the gasoline station, people yelling and loud vehicular noises. Abysmally overwhelming. Processing the situation, it was the time I realized, that something is wrong.
“Kulang” is a Filipino word used when referring to something that is less of what is enough. The moment I lent my fare to the driver, “Kulang 3 pesos ma’am” is the response I received. This took me to a surprise.
We were taught that change is constant, that it is crucial for development and survival. However, this change seems to be undeniably peculiar. This was not the type of change that people were looking forward to and yearning for.
“Class dismissed,” finally the professor announced.
When I arrived home, it was already time for dinner. I stared at the dining table. It has been five consecutive days of being served with food out of a can. My eyes roamed to examine if our shelves have been restored…
Nothing.
“Save up, times have changed,” father said while dining. “Is it about work?” I asked. “It is about the country,” he replied.
The Philippines is considered reliant in terms of food imports to fulfill the needs of its expanding population. In the last three years, we have been recorded to have the largest food deficit in Asia. And now, we have come to the phase of its severity.
As inflation persists, its impact will not only revolve around the state of the economy, but most especially, to the people. Every day, the price of our lives elevate. Holding on to the promises, the people still continue to lay their trust to those who are in-charge.
In recent times, this is how it has been for the most of us. You relish what you have today, and contemplate what you have to sacrifice again for tomorrow.
Shee Jay Axyne Borinaga | Feature Writer
