We can now dream again -PNoy

I was waiting this afternoon for the "shocking revelations" that the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the Philippine President will reveal as news were saying. Well, perhaps the so-called "shocking revelations" were not so shocking at all, at least for some.

President Noynoy Aquino's SONA was spiced up with accusations of misused funds and wasteful spending; accompanied by figures and names of some agencies under the previous administration. He exposed anomalies of the release of calamity funds to Pampanga, former President now Congresswoman Gloria Arroyo's town; the controversies of the National Food Authority regarding withered rice due to poor distribution; the extravagant bonuses of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems staff and trustees; among others.

Aquino also discussed peace efforts for the country; particularly ceasefire between rebels and the government; and also of conflicts in some areas in Mindanao. He also called on for peace talks and a forum for suggestions, not just rallying for protests.

I personally believe that the Filipino people are already aware of the anomalies, corrupt activities and other illegal negotiations of different government agencies. I know that Filipinos are knowledgeable of some strategic movements of how greedy many officials and politicians are. And somehow, the speech reflects the situation of the country, and also echoes a little "laglagan" mentality that is innate in our culture.

This is like a never-ending nightmare in a democracy that haunts down every single citizens of the country. But, with someone saying "puwede na muling mangarap," what assurance will it be that this dream will no longer be a nightmare in the succeeding years to come? High hopes, still, but it failed to envision me, what's next?

Another food for thought

After the traffic battles I experienced a couple of days ago, I realized that I was really not alone experiencing the static traffic in the metro. Even the president himself was a victim of this unexpected situation. I posted here my road experience last Friday and was surprised of the news later saying that the president being late in his appointment on that day. Last Wednesday is another traffic extravaganza (what shall I expect) and knowing later again in a news bulletin that our beloved president was late in the mass officiated on that day for the new appointees. Now is the time to further implement again our road rules and create possibilities to ease this non-moving scenario on the road. Do you think it is now quite alarming that traffic causes all Filipinos to be late, even our respected head of state and highest official?

Enough has been said, so moving on, I was walking one day along EDSA (well, on the sidewalk) because I was literally afraid to be stuck again in traffic. As my feet moved patiently towards my destination, I happened to drop by in this food store. Much as into food fascination, I eagerly tried to eat in this karinderia-like-fast food chain. The eatery is a wow, and it is called Manong Pepe.

The karinderia is a Jollibee Foods Corporation subsidiary making it reliable when it comes to food service.The best thing of all, the menu is very cheap. Their rainy season menu (lugaw, sotanghon, tokwa't baboy) unbelievably starts at P15. Their breakfast menu starts at P25 that includes rice. There are also choices for lunch and dinner. Manong Pepe is located along EDSA in Cubao and plans to open other branches in Metro Manila.

New hopes under P-Noy

 President-elect Benigno Aquino III will officially seat into office today. He is now the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines. P-Noy, as media people and masses now fondly call Aquino, won the presidential election by a landslide. He was before a congressman in 1998 until elected then as senator in 2007. The political journey of Aquino is somehow a bit inexperienced compared to his opponents for the position, yet the fragrance of the people power legacy seemingly lifted him to the highest post in the government with less effort to take.

The much awaited inaugural badges much of festivities with people from all walks of life attending the ceremony. Peaceful transitions of the government from outgoing President Gloria Arroyo to incoming President Noynoy Aquino happened smoothly. After that, Aquino will be called President and Arroyo will be called Congresswoman (after winning a congressional post in Pampanga). Almost 500,000 people witnessed the event at the Quirino Grandstand. As I watch the artists' performances in the inauguration, I came to be enchanted with the inaugural song entitled "Bagong Pilipinas" (New Philippines) composed by Noel Cabangon. I instantly felt the Filipino spirit inside of me. The ceremony is starred with Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Christian Bautista, Nina and Charice (who sang the National Anthem in the right beat and I appreciated it most).

In a real edge of the situation, the country is facing another chapter in history. Will there be answer to unclosed questions from the previous administration? Will there be lesser problems now and greater improvements? Will there really be a difference?

Somehow, in a culture that we live on by, it is really quite fascinating to pursue great hopes with a new head of a country. The anticipation and the pressure comes along to the head that we forget in anyway that we are also part of the system. I, myself, did not vote for President Noynoy yet the right thing now is to move on and face the choice of the majority. After all, this is not all about Noynoy. This is all about the country.

It is right that the head must face the nation's problems. But, we must remember that the actions shall not come from the head itself. We as the body of it must learn when to be voluntary (to scratch or poke when the head seem goes wrong) and when to be involuntary (to follow the head when there are good actions) and with this simple coordination we will have a harmonious movement for the betterment of the country.