sup·port
[suh-pawrt, -pohrt] Show IPA
verb (used with object)
1.
2.
to sustain or withstand (weight, pressure, strain, etc.) without giving way; serve as a prop for.
3.
to undergo or endure, especially with patience or submission; tolerate.
4.
to sustain (a person, the mind, spirits, courage, etc.) under trial or affliction: They supported himthroughout his ordeal.
5.
What do you do when you say "I will support you", "Sagot kita" or "Ako bahala sa'yo"?
to maintain (a person, family, establishment, institution, etc.) by supplying with things necessary toexistence; provide for: to support a family.
The one who supports, as mentioned in the definition above, serves as the base, but we often use the word as an act of helping. They are quite different since the later assumes that the one being supported can stand on his/her own. The common forms of support come in monetary assistance. Other kinds: advice, audience votes, services, material supply, or mere physical presence. Some people just say they back up a person without any intention or without doing anything at all - not considered "just being there". You can also put in some discussion about independence-dependence.
Who do you support? Many Filipinos support their kababayan in a lot of foreign competitions, whether in sports, singing contests or in reality TV shows. Colleges and universities support their teams during the leagues and other local competitions. Sometimes you see greater number of fans and aid from the school in certain sports. Sometimes you notice inequality, but you can't blame for people being more interested or less interested in certain events. Family, relatives and friends usually are there to support members of the group, with the greatest force or obligation lying on the immediate family.
What happens when things change? Your manok shows disrespectful behavior, he follows an undesirable plan or she joins the group of antagonists. Do people bail out on their pick or stick? Pano kung yung star player ng DLSU pumunta sa Blue Eagles para sa UAAP? Or the other way around. Will the school take the star or will they let school colors take the better of the situation? You might have to think about the concept of loyalty. Family bonds are unbreakable and Filipino ties are said to be strong. Most of the time you hear news reporters tell a story of a son convicted while the family still stands beside and defends the boy. I might have listened through stories that which are the other way around.
The heaviest at-home question has a very obvious answer. Why do people support and vote for corrupt people? You have supporters who are either the base or the hand. Some support are ordered, such as military functions, while others are voluntary in nature. There's personal gain or a less selfish personal gain of satisfaction that you can say that you helped the fellow go through challenges. You want to be recognized as an instrumental force. Or, you just want to see that person achieve while you remain unchanged.
Supporting a cause. I don't scratch my head when I see chain smokers advocate for stop smoking campaigns. Surely it would be a stronger act if you preach what you teach.
Personally, I see myself as someone who gives support, whatever kind that I'm able to give. In my own way, I can also direct people while being in a chain of Pay It Forward & paybacks. Most of the time I do not like the feeling when the people you help: 1) do not see the help, 2) do not do their best, 3) do not respectfully decline, 4) do a lot to waste everyone's time. These are the people that you just want to pull their life support and wish they never saw daylight again... if they don't change for the better. When you are structured like the military and you're on the command position, there's a mutual support that goes on between you and your staff officers. When things get rough, you have to rely on everyone, including yourself (alter ego), in order to get by. In other words, you should also learn to stand on your own and when necessary seek help.
