Thursday, November 22, 2007 Wenceslao: PAL pilot, Rama By Bong O. Wenceslao Candid Thoughts
NOT all that happened when storm Lando hit Cebu last Monday was about destruction. Texter Jay Jernalim wrote me about the worrisome experience that passengers of PAL flight PR849 (Manila-Cebu) went through on that day.
But the message was not about the worries but about the commendable act of the pilot.
“I would like to thank the pilot of PAL flight PR849,” Jay wrote in his text message, “for his bravery and presence of mind when rain and strong winds made it difficult for the plane to land at the Mactan airport. The pilot managed to pull up the aircraft again and to circle the flying zone while waiting for the weather to improve.”
“Many of the passengers were tourists,” he continued, “and they even gave him a standing ovation when we landed safely after circling the airport for a time. The pilot’s act made us Filipinos proud.” What is obvious in the story is that Jay failed to get the pilot’s name. But if what Jay narrated is true, PAL should give the pilot a pat on the back.
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Basak San Nicolas Barangay Chief George Rama giving Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos the thumbs up as president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in Cebu City? Rama is with the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan led by Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who boils up every time he comes across Mary Ann’s name.
Of course, those who know Rama think he was merely humoring de los Santos. He was probably thinking that what he would say in Tuesday’s 888 News Forum at Waterfront, or his opinion for that matter, won’t be a factor in the current scheme of things in the ABC. No way can Mary Ann win over an Osmeña-anointed ABC bet.
But I can see a message there reading between the lines. For one, Rama does not seem to think highly of the party’s probables, Talamban’s Alvin Arcilla and Labangon’s Felix Abella. He placed them second and third respectively compared with Mary Ann as far as leadership quality is concerned. That should prod some reassessment of choices.
Which could show that there is a dearth of capable BO-PK-allied barangay captains to lead the ABC. If Arcilla, praised by Osmeña and outgoing ABC President Eugenio “Jingjing” Faelnar, is less capable than Mary Ann in the eyes of Rama, then that is something. I mean, if Rama was joking, then his party mates are surely not laughing.
