SONA 2009

Note: I submitted this reaction to Victorina I think just a few minutes late. It never got out so I decided to publish it here. Make no mistake, I am angry. I am so tired that our country's problems have been going on and on. It saddens me that some of those who were our student leaders back then are now the ones part of the machine that adds burden to what we were fighting against way back. So here goes...

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gestures during her State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives in suburban Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines on Monday, July 27, 2009. Arroyo said she has no desire to extend her term beyond next year. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

I was really looking forward to another series of geography lesson that was evident from last years SONA. I was anticipating a good laugh. A friend from Bicol, came to Manila just to be part of the SONA. No, he was not invited to congress as part of those who were there dressed up for the occasion. He was dressed to kill, nonetheless, but he was on the streets, in white leather boots. For that, I dare call him a SNAP - Susyal Na Anak Pawis. Yes, he was one of those who weathered the rain that miraculously fell heavily only in Quezon City.

As I listen to the nonsense being delivered on the screen, I was no longer amused by the customary applause at precise moments of the mostly lies being said of yet another year in power. The introduction of individuals who were used as props to highlight some of her programs. This year, the biggest prop was Manny Pacquiao.

I said lies. Yes! Lies! As in that disclaimer about her leaking silicone implants. We have all been boobs all along, and now even our president leaks. She presented to the people a new set of numbers and claims indicating the supposed growth of the country in spite of the financial crisis the world is experiencing now, even bragging to the nation of an upgrade in that Moody credit rating. But those numbers mean squat when a lowly mother of four cannot even make ends meet. Those numbers have been presented long ago. How long before it can trickle down and be enjoyed by the masses? So sad when we know that the supposed economic growth she has been announcing is only enjoyed by a handful of oligarchs. Good news for them, bad news for us. These same people are now contemplating on who to put in that hallowed seat in that palace by the polluted river, so as to keep the status quo, thereby assuring the games continue. The sadder part is, we, the pawns are always the first to be sacrificed.

No Madame President, the state of the nation is not strong. Only the dissent of the people is getting stronger due to your and your minions mismanagement of the county's affairs. I do not care what your numbers say when we the people are getting hungrier day by day. I do not know what part of the Philippines she is looking at, but what was given in her reports were just that, numbers, lies and more cover-ups of what the true state of the nation really is. No Madame President, the state of the nation is not strong, for what you have said in your past SONA's have not come into full fruition. Many in fact remained as illusions. Some even became the source of expensive embarrassments. ZTE.... NBN... what more acronyms will pop up in your last months as president? She was caught with her hands in the cookie jar once, sort of speak, and she said she was sorry. No more sorry than we were for letting it slide and allowing her to remain in power. But to her credit, it was better than letting someone with a bigger hunger than her and her family, take the reins and make the havoc her power brokers caused, and turn everything into total carnage. Her supporters fastidiousness is to be credited for her extended stay. But still, I am not laughing, most especially when I realized that I spent an hour of my life watching and listening to her deliver nothing but something closely resembling and smelled of fecal matter. I am sorry Madame President, but unlike your minions, I don't eat shit.

Good luck to all of us in your final days of stay in power and may you bring all your minions with you when you leave. Oh and please close the door on your way out.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: A few hours after GMA delivered her 9th and hopefully final State of the Nation Address, gasoline prices rose P2.00/liter.





*Photo of GMA used w/o permission however photographer duly credited. Pacquiao picture was taken from the web.

The Victorina Experience

It's no secret that I have been supporting the Victorina Blog for sometime. I started out as a mere lurker then elevated by actively participating in the discussions through comments. Then as more posts were published by its founder Amiel Aguilar Cabanlig, my comments were being solicited by many and hated by some because of its length. Most of my reactions are quite long and considered unbecoming for a blog comment and I apologized to Amiel for consuming a large chunk of his comment space yet he urged me to continue. I have to admit that I was taken aback bit. All I was doing was pouring what little I know on the viewpoint of an ordinary human pedestrian.

Now why on cyber-earth would I support another blog when I can do precisely just that on my own here? I say why not? I believe in the objectives of Victorina, and here is a lone voice doing precisely something I believe is worth taking more than just a second glance. And it grew steadily that we started getting a large number of readership. And we have Boldstar. This lovely lady with her genuine "acerbic wit" and boy, she is truly direct and the sort of take it or leave it kinda gal. Very refreshing. And then in comes somebody who is probably one of the many blessings Victorina ever had. Yes, I am talking about Rain. He is fierce. His entry really made waves and has been making waves ever since. And our comments were continually asked for by Victorina's readers. Of course, that was also not taken lightly by many and charged as if Amiel was favoring only OUR opinions. On the contrary, we encourage them to participate as much as they want since Amiel does not believe in blocking comments. Our individual trickles are slowly but surely turning into a stream of ideas and opinions.

Other welcomed entries are Atty. Trixie Angeles and Brian G. They of course know Amiel long before we all came on board. What a diverse set of minds united in one Victorina. I pointed this out to Amiel through a comment that like it or not, we are now a mini community. Everything went so fast, I don't even know whose idea was it to form the Victorina Council of Elders, and I was considered as part of that Council. WOW! Me? To tell you the truth, I was not flattered nor even considered it as an ego boost. I was actually honored yet apprehensive since that meant "responsibility." No, I don't loathe responsibility; it's just the thought of what I can contribute without imposing my own. I always wanted people to be freethinkers and not just conform to everything that are presented to them. That is no small task. It was a challenge and I accepted fully.

Finally, we got the opportunity to meet face to face through Amiel's natal celebrations which, I learned later on was orchestrated by Rain. Physically absent were Boldstar and Brian who are both based abroad. Seeing the Council for the first time was an eye opener for me. Everything that we have been doing these past months is not an illusion and no grandstanding was present. These are true people with substance. Not unlike those whom I have met in the past through the net. My initial apprehension towards being considered a Council Elder was entirely misplaced. No fear. We can make a difference and here is the opportunity staring me in the face.

For all it's worth, no matter what plans Amiel and the Council have in mind, Victorina must move forward. And move it must for whatever little we can contribute for the betterment of our day-to-day pedestrian existence, I will be there.