The unnoticed

CTALK CITO BELTRAN

- CITO BELTRAN

Now that we are all officially “bondat” or satiated from all the food and drinks over Christmas, it will soon be time to deal with actual hangovers or those induced by regret from doing a “cheat week” instead of just a “cheat day.”

But more than dietary violations, some people may have been so busy preparing for the celebration that people who have provided vital services may have gone unnoticed.

Consider for instance the horn honking garbage truck driver and his crew of four or five guys, the barangay tanods who regularly stand in the middle of traffic to make things a little easier and lessen your potential for road rage.

Or perhaps that familiar street sweeper who sweeps the litter and leaves, cigarette butts, as well as dog poop that stray dogs dump on your path.

Practically 365 days of the year, they show up in your street and in front of your house to collect your trash that generally doubles, even quadruples, during holidays and birthdays. Regrettably, people don’t think much of the value and relief they provide in our daily lives.

Anyone who has lived in the US or Europe can tell you that trash and garbage disposal in these places are far from convenient. They have rules, and for the most part you do the sorting, bagging of garbage.

You don’t just leave your trash over night or when you feel like it. You adjust your personal schedule to match that of the garbage truck and no, they don’t show up every day in many places.