Bring it to the Streets

Even on a Sunday, when no Showtime or Eat Bulaga is on air, the bickering and the mud-throwing did not seem to stop. Worse, the opposition has taken it a level higher to give the Kalyeserye a bad name, thus creating the hashtag, Asal Kalye.

In the simplest sense of the word, the term Asal Kalye connotes something negative. People who lounge in the streets all day do not have better things to do. Profane, disrespectful, being violent, impulsive, irrational, dishonest, and complacent, among many others, are the attitudes attributed to those people who grew on the streets...

However, there is something deeper in understanding what can be seen in the streets.

It is therefore safe to assert that one's perception of things is clouded when the intent is to mean ill. If the ignorant and blind only knew how significant the streets are in our lives.

I, for one, grew in the streets. No, I know that my parents aren't irresponsible. They're actually caring, concerned, and hard working. I live in a place where the streets are free for children to play; to experience the best of what childhood has to offer. They let me play outside because I can know myself better; that I would know what would interest me; that I can choose my friends and make small choices. In fact, many of us have learned some of the most painful and powerful lessons a kid could easily understand:

"When you try something new, even with all your joy, anticipation, and eagerness, you will never get it right the first time. Help will be provided on all sides; ahead, on your left and right, and behind you. But despite of the assistance, you will still stumble and fall. When you find yourself dragged down to the floor and feel the shame because of your mistakes despite showing effort, rise up proud because you have tried hard. When you gain scars from your trials, look at it as a mark of experience and learning. As you try over and over again, you'll be able to perfect your newly acquired knowledge, thus becoming a master of your own self."

Now to those who grew in the streets, you'll know, even without me giving a clue, that this is all about riding a bike the first time. That moment from my childhood taught me many things that I still apply in my life today. It helped me to go on against bullying, it helped me accept failures in school, and it supported me in times when I thought my life was a mess. To many others also, this is a lesson they carry through life's newly-found horizons.

As you assess how the streets affected your lives, you will come to realize that all you enjoy now will never be reached, if it were not for the streets that lead you to your destination: your dreams, ambitions, and goals are all paved by the streets that go from your doors to the roads.

And just recently, the very streets, that some are taking as a "bad reflection of society", has given a whole new meaning of what's to be in a kalye. A series of events that involved a Yaya, a Lola, an Alden, and many others, made us remember a very important thing we all ought to never forget: that our lives are connected to the streets. Almost every moment of our lives were captured by the sands and dusts that were shaken by our feet. Many of our memories were etched in the humps, the posts, and even the gutters. It has been a witness to seeing our first crush, making that first stare, and executing that first hand wave... These are some of the many firsts, aside from what Maine encountered, that were experienced by some people reading this blog. Oh the joy of first romance, all happening in the streets of limitless possibilities.

The very Kalyeserye despised by some is now creating history as we know it. And not just history in the streets of Manila, but in many paths all over the world, even conquering the very fibers of the World Wide Web. Just like the iconic EDSA Revolution taking place in the streets, the AlDub Nation is making a revolution no fandom has ever done before; turning the tides of war and hate into an avenue of peace and love... Just like that time in 1986. Every attempt made to destroy the foundations of this fandom was converted from a valley of trash to a field of blooming flowers. It was almost a miracle everytime, it's like turning water into wine. Seeing at how the epitome of kindness and goodness radiating to the fans, turning the negative into the positive, is just fascinating!

Some may think that comparing the movement of the AlDub Nation to such a monumental event may be an exaggeration of sorts. Think about it. People coming from all walks of life, the rich and the poor, male and female, young and old, have united together in the cause of believing that old traditions never run out of style; that love is worth fighting for, that the idea of forever is worth dying for. The yellow bandanas everywhere. The trail of roses on the floor. The drizzling rain from the sky. The anthem of "God Gave Me You" sounded in the airwaves. The image is so much a bliss. The heart and mind of every member of the AlDub Nation is moving for change that would break the conventionalism of pessimistic and demoralizing prototypes.

To say that the streets reflect of incivility is actually ironic as these paved paths were created and designed by brilliant minds that pursue the study of erecting structures that hasten and improve man's way of life.

To connote that the streets are nothing but stagnant stations of neglect and forgetfulness may not be entirely true. There are streets that actually reflect years of history, heritage, and culture as emulated in fiestas celebrated all over the country, or the cobbled paths of distant past.

To imply that the streets is nothing more than a circus, a place of clowns and animals, is simply absurd. Some of the most brilliant minds known in generations past were not developed inside schools or learning establishments. They were dropped out, rejected, and deprived of their value as people. However, the streets became their teacher. They were taught lessons that would never be taught in the limiting four corners of school or home. They became successful due to the education shoved by harsh and unfair reality. They stood up beyond conformity and shook the world because of their unorthodox ideas. Being Street Smart is the name of the game. Think of the names that made revolution a rebellion of the traditional. The AlDub Nation stands along that line, and is now changing the face of negative entertainment.

Asal Kalye? Yes! I am proud to be asal kalye! I am proud of respecting the elderly, giving way to hurrying drivers, sustaining police officers, caring for the environment, honoring the value of time, and stopping for striving pedestrians.

We would like to bring our battles to the streets! No, it's not because it's spacious and we can beat the bashers at our mercy. We'll bring it to the streets because it's open, diverse, and converging. That's how we are, every individual, here at AlDub Nation!