'And now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun [sic} of Aquino, and all the clouds lowered over our islands are now cast into the sea!' (With sincere apologies to W. S.)
Isn't it wonderful? I am so excited! All this corruption is going to be a thing of the past; we are to have schools, books and desks and yes, even teachers! Hospitals, a booming economy, social security, international respect, Foreign Investment Inflows, jobs for all. Why did no one think of this before? Surely, 'Divine Intervention' has some credibility?
Meanwhile, the curtain will rise over a new show, a new production, a new era, and a new cast (sort of) with a good sprinkling of 'actors', divas, directors, producers, script writers, pugilists, a few jesters of course, puppeteers and the inevitable villain or two in the plot. This production of course has not yet acquired a genre. Will it be a Farce? Drama? Comedy? A Musical maybe- this is the Philippines for goodness sake! -Tragedy? This is the Philippines for goodness sake! (Ooops! Sorry, I said that twice)
Or is it just going to be another endless boring 'repeat' of what we've all seen before, heard before and the plot is the same but the actors are different, and can we all sit in our seats and pay attention over the next three years or are we all going to get so bored out of our collective minds and switch to a Kris-less 'Buzz'.
And no, I don't mean to suggest that 'actors' or thespians of any description are not 'qualified' to run for senior public posts. In fact they are more qualified than most; being able to depict concern, sympathy, empathy, sadness, happiness and all the other human conditions that flesh is heir to at the drop of a hat. In fact, it has to be said that millions of us Filipinos squandered our pesos and time so many years ago, at so many dismal cinemas watching our 'hero' Estrada; a rootin' tootin' sort of a guy, (poor of course, there are no rich heroes) bashing all the naughty rich-type villains and coming out as the guy with the white hat who would solve anyone's problems; and he always got the girl as well! What could be nicer?
And dear Mr. Estrada was our second choice this time as well! Wow! Although it has to be said he was better qualified this time having now been presented with certificates from the Supreme Court of the Philippines to back him up.
Anyway, I'm sure we are all so pleased to see the 'Families' back in roles that are so familiar to them, and we can only watch from the stalls and cry, or weep, hiss or applaud. Nonetheless, we should not preempt the outcome, we can only watch and wait and observe our elected officials hard at work, noses to the grindstone, heads in pork barrels, working endless hours in appalling conditions and traveling here and traveling there, all on our behalf and only a pittance as their reward.
But I must say it was nice of them all to leave their smiling pictures on trees, walls, garlands across the roads as a reminder not to forget them, just as they will not forget 'us'.
I've suddenly come to the conclusion that all these nice people were not smiling at me anyway; they were laughing!
Jeane Tayo
Bakiki Beach
Purok Tindog, Guiwanon
Bantayan Island