Sayang

"Sayang" is a common expression in Filipino. Literally, it means "what a waste!" Here are the occasions when I often hear it expressed as a reaction:

• a handsome priest : "sayang" from girls and old ladies
• a handsome gay : "sayang" from girls and old ladies
• a young girl getting pregnant
• resigning from work
• stay-at-home educated man or woman
• getting married at the peak of career

I used to get offended, too, by "sayang" reaction but the "sayang" is not so negative. It isn't really about double standards or trying to put one down. They just see other possibilities, but it is still up to us to make the right choice of what is truly more important.

However, in the "sayang" ads of Pantene #whipit series featuring single mom, Denise Laurel. She may have whipped it, but being a single mom is not just about her. It is also about the child. Perhaps she's doing her best and more than married moms do. Still, I have seen children from broken families, and no matter how many people try to fill in the love, there is still that brokenness in them that is truly difficult to heal. I would still wish for every child, a mom and a dad. With God's grace... great moms and dads. I'm sure Denise would want that, too.