Monday, March 31, 2008 Gotcha By Karl Aries Emerson F. Cabilao
APRIL is supposed to be my birth month, the month the look forward to every year. But I would usually just keep quiet since it is also the month when thrill seekers use their fool’s permit and easily get away with it.
The first day of April is “marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, enemies and neighbors, or sending them on fools’ errands, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible,” Wikepedia says.
April Fools’ Day greets all of us tomorrow as another page on the calendar is revealed. Yet leading to that notable day, many people were already duped (or felt like being such) by recent events. Zup lists some of them.
The Search for Truth. Yes, many are still lost in this particular mission that the mere mention of the word “Truth” or “katotohanan” already makes some people puke. The recent visit of overrated superstar witness, Jun Lozada, to Cebu did not yield significant developments as the “truth” continues to elude the valiant truth-seekers. Majority, though, strongly share Lozada’s sentiments. They feel that some crocs in the administration are hiding some not-so-pleasant facts from the people. But trying to go deeper into those facts also shouldn’t automatically make some people so-called “heroes”.
Janina Mania. In a beauty pageant-crazed country like the Philippines, many protested with the recent results of the Binibining Pilipinas search. The loudest howls were hurled at the chosen Pinoy representative for Miss World later in October, Janina San Miguel. The poor girl, her “Pamily” and her controversial lackluster answer during the Q&A became a potshot feast on You Tube. For most viewers, it was not all about broken English but the absence of “substance” in her answer. Viewers felt they were being fooled by the judges and the pageant organizers as there were clearly more deserving candidates there.
That Pacquiao Win. Well obviously, it’s Marquez’s camp that felt “fooled” by the results. They alleged “corrupt judging” was the culprit behind their boxing champ’s close-call loss. However, thanks to a KO in the earlier round, Pacquiao won’t have to bow his head when he comes home (yes, no reason at all because win or lose, he would still get millions in dollars). For sure, we have not yet seen the last of these fighters together in one ring.
Status Symbol Schools. Many students and especially their parents may have felt “fooled” (and definitely cash-strapped) by the countless graduation “requirements” of some schools. These often entail considerable amount payments not just for clearances and academic stuff but also extravagant garlands, proms (which are so high school) and so-called symbolic parties. These schools should be shunned by incoming freshmen next school year as there are many similar institutions that are less-expensive and equally (or more) competitive.
So tomorrow, be extra-receptive. Better yet, be extra receptive every day of your life. While some cheesy people enojoy making every day of the year a Christmas Day or Valentines Day or any special day for that matter, more people would find it easier to make each day an April Fool’s Day. Beware!
