swine flu

i'm sitting in the mabuhay lounge at ninoy aquino airport in manila.
arroz caldo (yum) and dry bread-soggy filling sandwiches (blech).

all of these rich kid pinoy types to my right.
mestizo looks.
hipster clothing.
american accents.
floppy hair.
latest apple computers and PSP thingys.

older folks to my left.
paring chinoys.
matching luggage and garment bags.
sitting quietly.
arms folded.

someone's cell phone has the same ring tone as me.
it confuses me.

there are some people wearing surgical masks.
swine flu.
there was talk of delaying the start of classes in manila because of the swine flu.
jodie texted the other day saying that everyone is panicking about swine flu.
i texted back how we are rather excitable, as a people.

i haven't been infected with the hysteria.
i think it's because i haven't been watching tv.
(i don't have one.)
also, i haven't been listening to the radio.
(i don't have one of those either.)

so, i hadn't heard.