Bona fide TEXT
SONA's hubbub
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo went from compassionate to tough in her 56-minute State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday at the joint opening of the 14th Congress at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, emphasizing that the country needs a "government with wisdom, compassion, vision and patriotism."
Perhaps she's optimistic enough to project herself as a president who would remain strong even as her term comes to an end. It was clearly evident towards the end of her speech as she said, "From where I sit, a president is only as strong as she wants to be." FYI, in 2010, Pres. Arroyo would have served as President for nine consecutive years, the longest since the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos ended his 20-year rule when he was ousted in 1986.
PGMA is PGMA. Her being austere as the chief executive never fails. "Uulitin ko: Hindi ako sagabal sa ambisyon ninuman. But make no mistake, I will not stand idly when anyone gets in the way of the national interest and tries to block the national vision." It was the most-applauded part of her speech. The 59-second round of applause was accompanied by a standing ovation. As I said, PGMA is PGMA.
As part of this nation, I would agree to her that in today's economy, knowledge is the creator of wealth. As the old cliché goes and I quote, "nasa tamang diskarte lang ang lahat ng bagay." I would say, she's intelligent enough to be one of the creators of what she is benefiting from right now, what do you think?
Of course the essence of SONA is in its fullest worth as she reported all the accomplishments of the so-called super regions that she was even too reasonable to emphasize that it was not a gimmick for the occasion, but the blueprint for building a future. Kudos to her as the Kalibo Airport is now operating as international terminal. Watch out Akeanons as she promised the construction of an 80-million peso terminal. Well, wait and see and pray. If her SONA yesterday earned 106 rounds of applause and two standing ovations, Ilonggos tripled the rounds of applause and doubled the standing ovations as Iloilo Airport of international standard opened. Having such an airport is a dream-come-true for the Ilonggos. However, it took some 8 long years and 8.7 billion pesos to make the dream possible. The three-story passenger terminal, about 12,000 sq. meter in floor area, houses the baggage conveyor on the first floor, the check in area and the airline offices on the second floor and the pre-departure area on the third, and the arrival area along the corridors that lead to the first floor. Indeed, a dream has come true for the Ilonggos.
She said she would put investments for a "stronger and wider social safety net," by providing cheaper medicines, affordable housing, quality education, and more teachers, classrooms and books, and improving public health and English competency of students. I think she needs to prioritize these to answer her own lines saying, "if the government of the people and by the people is not for them as well, it is a mockery of democracy."
On the other hand, while countless people were impressed of the SONA others thought it as "lacking vision" as she fell short on some of her pronouncements, especially on the issue of extrajudicial killings.
Others preferred not to listen to the SONA for the reason that they don't have time to spare for listening to such. They just hope that after the SONA, this isang kayod isang tuka na mga Filipino will have more food and income.
On the lighter side Senator Miriam Santiago wanted that Congress hires a couturier to craft a common dress for all lady lawmakers that they would wear for at least three SONAs. Actually, she stunned the Congress as she ditched the Filipiniana ensemble she wore in the Senate's morning session, and a yellow ensemble for the afternoon's SONA event. Well, she's still an Ilongga known for her very powerful and vivid reasoning in most matters. And who would know next time, those who are attending and hearing the SONA would be required to wear uniform? And imagine, if most of them, would be a designer's outfit? Oh wow! What an occasion! Anyhow, Sen. Santiago has a point. We'll wait for the next SONA.
Meanwhile, ousted President Joseph Estrada missed the SONA of the second lady president last Monday for sauna bath. He claimed that the speech will be mere paper boats and just a waste of his time. Maybe, Erap would prefer to make a paper boat and float it going to the doors of Wish Ko Lang. What do you think would be his wish? I can guess... but I won't tell.
And to end, it is our right and responsibility to know the SONA as delivered by our Pres. Arroyo. Eventhough it is already her seventh SONA and for some it is just a repetition of everything, for some it is a waste of time in listening, for some it is just like attending an Oscars, well for most of us who have positive vision for our country, we were more interested to hear the speech no matter how long or short it was. It is a way of taking our part as a Filipino, knowing the status of the country at the same time, knowing its achievements and the upcoming projects which are intended for the betterment of the lives of each one of us. If you care, you should have listened.
(For comments and suggestions email me @ Franzylu@hotmail.com or text me @ 09196013499)