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Monday, February 14, 2005
Mercado: Death, quake usher 'NL Expensive Way' launching
By Ram Mercado
FOR a truly meritorious project like Nlex to be welcomed by tragedy and temblor before its formal opening is not good karma.
THE management of the "North Luzon Expensive Way" does not leave anything to chance. By springing its highly objectionable toll fees to the motorists at 1 a.m. last Thursday instead of early daytime, the complaining public was not in the mood to protest, or if they did, were already handicapped by a weakened resolve as they hurried home for a late sleep.
The deviousness with which the new tollway operations under cover of darkness and during a witching hour was a master stroke. One cannot argue or protest enough when you are tired or rushing home for bed.
For a truly meritorious project like Nlex to be welcomed by tragedy and temblor before its formal opening is not good karma. Some hours it started collecting drastic fees, death in the Nlex claimed the lives of four Baguio residents in an accident in Pampanga. This was not an auspicious omen to begin any business.
The religious Lopez family, which largely own the conglomerate-funded Nlex made an oversight by dispensing with the traditional blessing ceremony on any enterprise's opening. It took the lives of four persons to welcome the project.
Three hours after its early morning launching amidst vigorous protests from complaining motorists, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake shook certain places in Central Luzon. There is mystery even in nature's angry reaction, if far-fetched, to the controversial toll fees.
To ward off any future "evil" lurking in the expressway, MNTC chair Ping de Jesus should lead blessing rituals at all the tollways with a special invocation by PR girl Marlene Ochoa against the evil oppositors to oppressive toll charges.
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Recipients of the munificence of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo will long remember his gift of dentures (false teeth) and his assistance to eyesight-impaired citizens, notably from the PNP.
If you would see unusually cheerful and smiling policemen on the beat, this was probably because of the free dentures to our poor cops. Attorney Mike must know too that dour-looking and unsmiling cops are that way less because of missing teeth but more to the difficulties of the times. Anyone who could hardly make both ends meet would be the least person to flash a close-up smile, dentures or without.
From P1,000, President Arroyo increased her "love offering" to griping government workers to P3,000. Many are not grateful for the amount.
Atty. Mike can fill up the difference, this time by giving his Valentine gift - a BMW to every employee with male hair pattern loss (balding). The soldiers and policemen are exempted because the hairless among them can hide it under a helmet or cap.
A "BMW" for every hair-impaired worker? Why not? "Buhok Mo Wig" will be a most welcomed gift. After "Bagong Ngiti sa Ngibu."
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The hype on Valentine's Day is the effect of American-style consumerism and commercialism. It's a day supposed to celebrate love, consequently, a demand of a material endowment to prove it.
Valentine is all about sex and money, Alfie. Naturally, affection or love ends, or is sustained by its physical expression (sex) with an evidence of manifestation (money).
Most active during this day, or those preceding it, are the age group 16-25 who are in for the learning curve, adventure, and the search for spouse material.
Beyond 25 and those reaching mid-life 40, the women are concerned about their career, their family if married, and the husband's future. An intelligent wife knows that if the husband has not made "it" (unexplained wealth) when he was 40, he would never make it at all unlike Gen. Garcia or Florante Soriquez.
That's when she starts to get jealous and feel insecure. At 40, the macho man feels like Alexander who sighs for new worlds to conquer. It's the most dangerous stage when he imagines and tries an action flick. But his mind is set on someone else during intimate moments with the wife who, at her age, is wrapped in cellulite, collapsed bumpers.
Do not underestimate a woman in her 50s - most are capable of, and demand action-packed and strong performances. Of this age group I am wary if not intimidated; they can see through a man's acting ability even if superbly performed.
Today is excessively punishing for our aging Lotharios. The expenses in gifts and token endowment are enormous. Our haggard lover boy must give it all to the demanding wife on the same day as he is expected likewise to the other woman, as in this song to give "when there is no more to give."
(February 14, 2005 issue)
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