IF A picture paints a thousand words, so the song goes, the neat and dandy pose of PamCham officers (aka top, if not richest, businessmen in Pampanga) with some leading local candidates for 2019, could have triggered a tectonic reaction in the local political landscape.
Inescapably, one quick takeaway, intentional or not, is that the picture was the equivalence of a virtual, if unofficial, endorsement. The accompanying finger sign, a thumbs up, appeared to affirm the unspoken message.
In the aftermath, the varied reactions, visceral or cerebral, could have ranged from the gnashing of teeth to catatonic laughter. Delta, Rimpy, EdSa and others in the photo could have experienced the latter.
Objectively, though, the affair was among the usual meetings held by PamCham with the province stakeholders to tackle current and potential issues relevant to the growth of business and the economy, even beyond the turf. First things first: the business of business is business. Period. Echoing an American mantra: what is good for business is good for America. Replace the adjectives and the proper noun, and you get the drift, thank you.
Woe to those who miss the opportunity!
Seriously, though, PamCham has morphed from a simple advocacy group for the existential survival of the province following the devastating effects of Mt. Pinatubo to the present-day PamCham whose growing agenda is proportional to the expanding challenge of progress in Pampanga.
It's been a changing, if pivotal role, in the province's life ever since that fateful day when a handful of Fernandino businessmen led by their eminent guru Levy P. Laus, (take a bow, please) took upon themselves the mission to save the capital town then, in particular, (you have brush your teeth, of course) and Pampanga as whole.
The effort was legendary, the audacity bigger than the challenge and the objective was no less heroic. As a result, it revived local heroism and created unsung heroes from all walks of life. It was epical that it merited a book that told of the exceptional narrative.
That is the way to look at the metamorphosis of PamCham as an organization. We should know where it is coming from and where it is headed. It may not be exactly altruistic, the inclusiveness not entirely intentional, but there are such things as unintended consequences that are good and acceptable.
Politicians and businessmen will come go. PamCham, for better, not for worse, is here to stay.
From hereon in, it will be a good gesture of good politics and good leadership to see to it that they be part of the big picture that PamCham frames every now and then. You'll never know when you will need it.
Besides, the other fringe benefit is adopting the sartorial elegance of their company. It’s good for the image.