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Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Obenieta: Static
By Myke U. Obenieta
So to Speak
How to project the President in a more seemly manner?
Everyone loves a winner, true. And so, for sheer crowd appeal, perhaps the President would do well to stage her State of the Nation Address (Sona) in a stadium before a boxing championship match or as a prelude to the coronation of Binibining Pilipinas.
In a country going bonkers about triumphant pugilists and beauty queens, the proximity of these larger-than-life personalities could probably work like osmosis to someone seen as dry by her detractors.
Workers of her woe, unite; you have nothing to lose but your cynicism. Or so goes the congressman representing the cause-oriented Party List group Akbayan. According to Rep. Mario Aguja, it’s hardly a surprise if the President would bask in the refracted shimmer of boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, beauty queens and some medal-decorated athletes at the recent Southeast Asian Games. Yes, if that’s all it takes to mirror their achievement on the state of her leadership.
Not the less impressed is Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, expectorating her gall even before the Sona could start. “Expect that there will be nothing new or extraordinary,” frowned the daughter of the former dictator. It’s as if the President would say nothing more to her countrymen than, say, “Para sa iyo ang laban na ‘to.” Or, “I dream of world peace.”
But what if those winking at dark clouds over the President’s ruffled hair would give her not a black eye for once, and startle her with the benefit of their usual suspicion and doubt? How’s that for a cool change to their expected spitfire?
Just as ho-hum, after all, as the President’s habitual emergency for saving face is the customary sneering and gnashing of teeth of those anointing themselves as alternatives for a better leadership. Now, where does that leave the rest of the nation caught in the crossfire of each other’s clichés?
But suppose wariness about politics has become a national vibe, there must be something worth reckoning about the confession of her spokesperson. “The people are tired of politics and the President is, too,” reveals Press Secretary Ignario Bunye, who vows the nation will not hear yet another rhetorical yawner. “It will be about what the people want… a clear economic direction for the nation and a plan detailing how we are going to get there.”
When countryside development would make a strong republic possible, would that sit well with her ill-wishers? If our socio-economic life would be true to the President’s pipedream, would her naysayers wish the same? Won’t they be threatened to see the reason for their rage— the weather of discontent and disquiet— blown away?
Opposition, after all, thrives and becomes practical when the state of drift can sway the tide away from the administration. To begin with, what sense would be left in rocking the President’s boat if the sea would no longer be stormy?
Looks like it’s a long Open Sesame for the President’s foes to indulge in shadow-boxing or behaving like they are eyeing to win the award for the Most Photogenic against the dreary backdrop of their anti-Gloria graffiti.
(breezymyke.blogspot.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 25, 2006 issue)
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