Arao, D. A. (2007, June 20-26). `Palibhasa, aktibista’. Pinoy Weekly, 6 (23), p. 5. This may be retrieved from http://www.pinoyweekly.org/pw6-23/op_ed/ed-6_23_3.htm.
What have I been up to these past few days? How did Joy and I spend some of our hard-earned savings? This article can provide the answers.
That we were able to buy a second-hand vehicle in good running condition at a very low price is not just because of sheer luck. My political background had something to do with it, as the seller proved to be very sympathetic to the progressive cause.
Despite my progressive orientation, I have to admit that I have never been comfortable being called an activist. It’s not that I’m ashamed to be called one, it’s just that what I’ve done pales in comparison to those who have practically spent the most productive years of their life acting as agents of social change.
There is, of course, reason to worry being branded an activist in this day and age, as political killings are on the rise and there are journalists who matter enough to be silenced permanently.
Please read this article if you have the time. It’s seldom, after all, that I write very personal essays. Thank you for reading!
“Sa aking palagay, hindi mabubuksan ang ganitong oportunidad kung hindi malalim ang aking pagkakaibigan sa nagbenta (sa kabila ng halos 30 taong agwat sa edad namin) at, higit sa lahat, hindi niya kinikilala ang kahalagahan ng mga nagawa ko sa mga nakalipas na taon.”
nalito ako sa last line – “hindi niya kinikilala…” o “kinikilala niya ang kahalagahan…” :-)
Long reply:
Hello. Come to think of it, the entire sentence could be confusing though it is grammatically correct. It is necessary to put “hindi” in the last clause since we are discussing two sets of “kung.” (Reviewing my article, however, it would have been better for the last clause to be preceded by another “kung.”)
Loosely translated into English, the sentence should read: “In my opinion, the opportunity will not be open if our friendship were not deep and if he does not recognize the importance of what I’ve done in the past.” In the same way that there are three “hindi” words in the Filipino version, there are three “not” words.
Thanks for your message and hope to see you around the campus. Cheers!