We Dare You: 30-Day Challenges for the Privileged

With the LRT/MRT experiencing breakdowns (just like us), our expressways becoming anything but express, streets full of workers and students waiting to catch a ride home, and our jeepneys nearing a phase out, it’s enough to drive anyone insane. Especially ordinary Filipino citizens helplessly caught in the middle of everything. Since recently, one of our officials accepted the challenge to take public transportation to work, maybe they (and the rest of the privileged people we see on television and on our timelines) could try these other challenges too?

30-Day Public Transportation Challenge

“Ano bang ibig nilang sabihin na transportation crisis?” the president’s spokesman says, adding people should just leave early to get where they’re going earlyhttps://t.co/qHiCYxE05M

— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) October 8, 2019

Commuting for half a day isn’t enough to prove a point. Those who think there isn’t a transportation crisis and who think simply waking up early would be the solution for everything should try to take public transportation every single day for 30 days. No ride-hailing apps allowed, and police officers won’t be allowed to assist. Only after experiencing sweating buckets, the frustration of wanting to rest but ending up falling in line for hours, and feeling more exhausted from traveling than from work, maybe only then will the privileged understand.

Live on a minimum wage for 30 Days

This is how the government values our professionals:

Firefighter I (SG6) 14,847/mo.

Nurse I (SG10) 19,233/mo.

Teacher I (SG11) 20,754/mo.

Engineer I (SG12) 22,938/mo.

Medical Officer I (SG14) 27,755/mo.

Mocha Uson (SG29) 155,030/mo.(more than all of the above combined)

— Gideon Lasco (@gideonlasco) October 6, 2019

Back in 2018, the National Economic Development Authority released a ‘sample’ household budget indicating that Php 10,000 is enough for a family of five to live for a month. In this economy??? Of course it drew flak and became the breeding ground for many memes. In 2018, the minimum wage of average workers rose to P537 from P500 and while the public might be grateful for the added help, it simply can’t compete with the rising inflation. Even my favorite classic donut now costs me an extra Php 2!

We dare these privileged people to live on an ordinary Filipino’s minimum monthly salary, give up their free meals, travels, and luxuries. They might not last a week without begging for a fix of Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Be a Grab Food rider for 30 Days

In the age of technology and convenience, we’ve been enjoying the privilege of ordering food from the comfort of our seats. Meanwhile, during our hour-long wait, someone is rushing to get whatever it was we craved for. It has been heartbreaking to see Grab Food riders get canceled on after they’ve shelled out their own cash and brought something you ordered on impulse. Many people have petitioned to have Grab remove the cancel button in their app or to penalize the accounts of those who cancel. But maybe there’s a better solution, make these people Grab Food drivers and cancel on them.

Via MoneyMax

Everyone knows the pain of applying for anything that has to do with the government: long lines, irritating workers, irritated masses, and the heat you’re resigned to endure. It will take you days to process something as simple as an ID and even years to process certificates and other important papers. Strip the privileged of their ‘contacts’ in the office and they will know for sure.

Be a jeepney driver for 30 Days

KUYA JEEPNEY DRIVER IS A TRUE HERO!

A role model to the youth! AN INSPIRATION!

NO TO JEEPNEY PHASEOUT!! SUPPORT OUR JEEPNEY DRIVERS!!! https://t.co/HPrk00hPrK

— Jules (@rombutans) October 11, 2019

“Puro kayo reklamo hindi pa nga nasusubukan.” Ahhh the go-to rebut of the privileged.

While the statement in itself is not wrong (you won’t know if you never try, they say), there are certain situations where it’s not applicable. How can you ask jeepney drivers to give up their means of livelihood and buy a new vehicle for about a million pesos? Try being in their shoes driving all day through the pollution, heat, and rain, getting cheated on by some heartless passengers, enduring traffic, and having to pay their boundary after everything. Let’s see if the hairs on your head won’t turn gray from stress.

30-Day Become-a-Farmer Challenge

Under the implementation of Republic Act 11203 better known as the Philippine Rice Tarrification Law, from Php 12, a kilo of palay has now been reduced to Php 7 and our farmers are bearing the brunt of it. On top of not earning enough to provide for their families, they are also threatened and killed for being associated with certain groups.

30-Day Water Interruption Challenge

Just HOW do you expect us to think about work ethic when we can hardly get to work given our shitty traffic and public transport system. And now we have to accept the fact that we can’t have a decent shower before going to work because guess what, walang tubig!

Etits. https://t.co/F0c8IDm60S

— Pauline Gaerlan (@paulinethequeen) March 11, 2019

Hundreds of households in Metro Manila and nearby cities experienced several weeks of water interruptions early this year. Even though the government helped by sending water trucks and issuing a water interruption schedule, hundreds were still inconvenienced for a long period of time. There were theories swirling on the internet of the entire thing being a ploy for the government who is building Kaliwa Dam said to be funded by Chinese. Filipinos are once again, caught in the middle and often being told “Tiis tiis lang.” You try going to work with greasy hair.

30-Day Fishing Challenge at West Philippine Sea

Via Inquirer

It’s truly heartbreaking to see our fishermen being threatened and robbed in our waters where they’ve safely fished for years. Almost as equally heartbreaking as our sea bed slowly dying from those poaching giant clams. The 22 fishermen who survived their tragic ordeal back in June 2019 had to prove that it was indeed a Chinese vessel that caused the ‘hit and run’ because our authorities didn’t side with them right away.

What other challenges can you think of? Share them with us in the comments section!