The first

An effigy in the form of a magician is what Bayan has in store for President Noynoy Aquino when he delivers his first SONA today.

According to its Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr., the effigy symbolizes the fact that the so-called Noynoy magic so far remains an illusion. But he did promise that the effigy will not suffer a fiery death, like what all of GMA's effigies did, in deference to the fact that he still has to prove himself, having taken office for less than a month.

And rightly so. For one to expect a drastic improvement in anything in less than a month is the one suffering an illusion! I really wonder if Bayan automatically goes against any sitting president, no matter how popular, or are they just earning their keep as the perennial activist? Whatever.

But in less than a month, the Aquino administration has managed to get rid of the scourge of the roads. The prima donnas who travel with blaring sirens and blinking lights. For the first time in decades, I personally have seen the almost total eradication of the "wang-wang" culture. Although there are still reports of escorts of these power-tripping cretins running interference on the roads in order for their bosses to pass. I'm sure in due time, they will all disappear.

We have also seen the BIR going after a big fish in terms of tax evasion. It has also gone after one of its own for fraud stemming from a lifestyle check. The former officials of PAGCOR find themselves having a lot of explaining to do. The Bureau of Customs is also policing its own. And according to the Palace, P.Noy's SONA will divulge more uncovered anomalies with regards to the budget. His speech will not resort to theatrics, nor "experiments" like his predecessors, but a straight to the point discourse on the true state of the nation.

I'm a Lord of the Rings fan myself. The ring symbolizes power, and how power can corrupt and destroy. Which is why it had to be destroyed. The Aquino presidency is aiming to do just that, by destroying the normal perception of what a Philippine president is - powerful, distant, corrupt. In his six-year journey, I believe he will do just that, and finally cast the ring into the fires of Mt. Doom in Pampanga--- I mean Mordor.