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by PAM
So, the Philippine President, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III (P-Noy), gave his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday. I've been asked many times this week about my thoughts on the SONA... like my thoughts mattered at all! (Haha....) Well, I had very low expectations. In fact, I went shopping last Monday, and I bought a book, magazines, a pair of shoes, and random things... which was wonderful because I haven't really gone "serious shopping" in about two months... maybe longer, before that. So, I've really not been contributing actively to the growth of the Philippine retail economy. I ammended that by going shopping last Monday... but I did rush back home in the afternoon to catch the SONA - in its entirety.
So, what did I think?
Well, first of all, I LOVED IT that P-Noy's SONA was in Filipino - in its incredibly glowing beauty... music to the ears really! It flowed nicely, too, that I didn't get bored even if it was more than an hour long. Second, I think the SONA contained stuff that any taxpayer hoped to hear - positive stuff. As for the veracity of the figures P-Noy mentioned to substantiate what he claimed to be a generally "arrow-up" scenario for the Philippines, I
It's more fun in the Philippines!have no way of knowing. What I do know is that I don't feel as miserable these days when I'm moving about Metro-Manila as I did two years ago - and before that. There seems to be some order these days, or at least, the perceivable desire to put order on things... there is also some feeling of hope rather than despair and discontent a few years ago. And that Philhealth bit he spoke about, I benefit from that. I had a first-hand experience last year, and I was absolutely satisfied... or maybe because I had very low expectations? ;) Nah, they really did a very good job providing the service they claim they would provide. If anything, this got me interested again in keeping abreast with the goings-on and progress the government is making, minus the (usually stomach-churning) politics part of it. With the allegedly ultra corrupt government of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a host of mongrel allies of hers in power, it was just hard to stay interested... like I said, despair with the government was predominant - for me, at least.
Third, I liked it that P-Noy spoke about Education as a priority, and Science and Technology as a target for growth in the coming years. I see that there are concrete programs in place, too... and I believe that those are doable. While it remains to be seen how steadfast the government will be in pursuing the targets they set, I'm hopeful that they'd stay on track. What this country can count on is that the folks in the Education and the S & T sectors are serious about getting this country on competitive wheels - as
Daang matuwid? Sana. Tara!they've always been! Now, with honest-to-goodness government support, maybe these folks' efforts will finally translate to concrete and sustained achievements that would be of more significant impact to the country. This country really needs a stronger Education and S&T sectors for greater self-reliance and sustained economic growth. Fourth, I agree that infrastructure, energy, and transportation should be paid close attention to. They comprise some of the most basic government services that every Filipino could benefit from every single day, and they will speed up attainment of many goals pertaining to economic stability. Fifth, if the figures stated by P-Noy were "for real", I'd say I'm impressed by the progress they are making in the Agriculture sector. In any case, it's about time that the Philippines re-claim its former place as one of the countries in the world with highly stable Agri sector. That will give this country a real edge because a progressive and dynamic Agri sector will guarantee food security, an indicator of environmental sustainability, and it will give some degree of independence economically through sustained job generation. Having said that I am ecstatic that P-Noy singled out coconut water as among the Agri sector's good news!! Wow! :) I'm sure that gave the "big kids" in the lab at the Research Center a great reason to keep working hard to work on the Philippine coconut water. :) It would've been awesome if P-Noy also mentioned carabao's milk... maybe, next year! :) Indeed, we, geek people, are that easy to please. ;)
But, yep, no matter what, many people will always feel like P-Noy left a few things a-wanting for attention. The important thing is, this government is trying - very hard - to convince the country to leave behind the culture of corruption, start anew, and move forward towards true progress - together as one nation. That said, I'm glad that P-Noy showed decisive leadership to rekindle national pride among Filipinos by speaking in strong note over Beijing's show of military muscle to edge out the Philippines in Scarborough Shoal. I've been asked about this, too... and my jaw usually hurts from restraining blood pressure surge, just because I find it hard to answer a little girl's question: "China has so much already, what do they want those little islands for?" But I'd like to follow the example of Sec. Albert F. del Rosario of the Department of Foreign Affairs in maintaining calm, diplomacy... and class. Therefore, let me use this quote from one of my favorite writers of all time instead to express my feelings:
"(Kilgore) Trout’s story reminds me of the time my late great-aunt Emma Vonnegut said she hated the Chinese. Her late son-in-law Kerfuit Stewart, who used to own Stewart’s Book Store in Louisville, Kentucky, admonished her that it was wicked to hate that many people all at once."- Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. (1922 - 2007)
So, peace to the Chinese.
Alright, I have work to do... plus, I found an old Beatles CD in my collection, and I'm dying to listen to "Let it be", so I'd better be going. Ciao!
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