Switching On the Sun

If we are to analyze the very gist of the “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” story, it appertains to an underdog eventually proving his worth. It alludes to a newbie, underestimated to cope up and do well in the big city against the top guns. Much like how it was with Ret. Gen. Magalong prior to assuming his new role in the political arena. Thus, as for his status on the first few weeks as City Mayor, it can be surmised - “Proving siya ‘no...” Indeed (as much as ‘in deed’), he’s proving himself well so far . That brings us to the question, will he be able to sustain his level of no-nonsense approach on good governance? It has been raised, more so among rivals, detractors and doubters, that it’s just brought about by Magalong’s initial excitement and swaggering around. And for a ‘Ang Probinsyano-like’ storyline, the plot thickens by discrediting the protagonist with a critical devaluation of his good intentions... Let’s put it this way, no losing aspirant/contender with a bloated ego ha...

“A vote that could be “boat” but shouldn’t be bought” A question for a title, yet an “enTITLEment” dependent of our discretion as much as it’s a taken-for-granted prerogative that we might as well address... Consequently, nowadays, “self-entitlement” pretty much sums up our dependence on imposed rights and privileges as if we aren’t suppose to sensibly play a role in it... We usually complain about issues, yet, do we do something about it. We depend too much on others, more so, on elected officials. Chances are, we rave about their failure for that motive to “play the blame game”. Or do we just rely on rants expectedly falling on deaf ears as we’re only after the overly used and usually misconstrued “freedom of expression” irresponsibly conveyed for all its possible likes and reactions? One manifestation of this is that complaints are aimed at discrediting the same recipients many times over because these same people get voted every time and assume power nevertheless. This b...

In every election, we are to seat selected officials into public service. On top of it all (say the Presidential election), the top seat will be taken on by a new head. As ordinary citizens, we are all hoping if not assured of the realization of our patriotic hopes in line with the current promises of whoever would claim victory but not necessarily the confidence of a greater number. The “democratic disadvantage” over our system is that too many candidates are allowed to run for the same position. Thus, winning is based on majority vote; however, the rest of the voting public combined who did not support such candidate outnumbers the winning votes. Unless it’s a landslide triumph, there are more people to convince still of the winner’s capacity to lead us. The bigger drawback is that most of these substantial number aren’t as supportive, treating the victor as the adversary, sourly substantiating themselves as the opposition. There is no unity. The biggest setback though is amongst a...

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” is a line from Matthew 6: 2-4 that's remindful of humility. Literally though, in getting some work done, coordination between both hands with pairs of others rather clasps the idea of others’ testament of your deed instead. We had our hands full setting up a “trade” showcase to be awarded to a recipient for a politician’s generous cause of which we co-sponsored. In the midst of the rush not to unveil the surprise, a right hand from that of a public servant reached out for an acknowledging hand shake as we became subject of lenses worthy of media hype. Smile? Click! Click! Click! Click! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!   As the program progressed, more cameras rolled and clicked for documentation (err) publicity. Politicians abounded. True to their words (oops) style, they delivered their speeches with conviction BUT modesty… “Oh don’t you just admire them for their knack for subtle bragging? ...