This time last year...

This time last year, the Companero de Hesus (a.k.a, the Society of Jesus) together with all Jesuit schools throughout the world, including the Ateneo and Xavier schools in the Philippines, were celebrating the feast day of its founder and patron saint, Ignacio de Loyola. 

In fact, the celebrations were extra special for the Ateneo as it was also commemorating its sesquicentennial (150 years) founding anniversary and its basketball fans were looking forward to a back to back UAAP seniors crown (which eventually came to fruition).

Across town, in a room at the Makati Medical Center, the atmosphere was far from festive. Together with close family and friends, the five Aquino siblings were huddled together with their mother who was “going gently into that good night.” Indeed, the way President Cory bravely battled her illness spawned widespread admiration. She truly bore her earthly yoke with quiet dignity and grace. The next day, she passed on to claim her heavenly reward.

Focused on her mother’s deteriorating condition, I doubt if her only son was, at this point, entertaining any thoughts on running for the highest office. In fact, it may have been furthest from his mind. But the sympathy generated by his mother’s illness metamorphosed into justified anger over governmental abuse and excess. Just like her martyred husband 26 years earlier, millions patiently waited to view her casket and line the funeral cortege. It was this anger that galvanized into political support which, in turn, was converted into votes.

Indeed, pundits had dismissed the Aquino political magic as passed and long gone. And yet in death, President Cory became larger than life. From an emotional low point at this time last year, the Aquino family is once again at the forefront of bringing decency back into our society. Truly, you are able to appreciate the peak better after you have been through the valley.

What a difference a year makes. Last Monday, her only son delivered the state of the nation address as the new President of the Republic. I would be curious to know if P-Noy already had an inkling of what lay ahead of him, of what his destiny would be several months later. Not that his new job is a walk in the park- far from it; but he truly has been given a unique opportunity in Philippine history to be an instrument for good. If this was not a mandate made in heaven, I do not know what is.

By the way, last Saturday, the defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles squandered a nine-point lead in the last three minutes to bow in defeat to the scrappy but “never say die” La Salle Green Archers. Again, what a difference a year makes.

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The big news in the United States for the past few weeks is the law passed by the Arizona State legislature that would require local police to ask for proof of legal residency from people they arrest or stop for legitimate reasons and (not or), at the same time, reasonably suspect of being an illegal alien. Those arrested would need to stay in police custody until their legal status is verified. Not only is the provision potentially discriminatory but Constitutional law students would also argue that it is vague as it clothes law enforcers with “unbridled discretion” to apply the law.  

The law was supposed to take effect yesterday but Federal District Judge Susan Bolton issued an injunction blocking Arizona from implementing the main parts of the law. Judge Bolton argued that the law was unconstitutional as it would be “interfering with the Federal government’s enforcement of immigration laws and would create an unacceptable burden for legal residents who might not have their documentation on hand.”   

The injunction brought a sigh of relief to millions of undocumented aliens (many of whom come from the Philippines). Apparently, one out of ten workers in California and Arizona is undocumented or “TnT” as we call them in the Philippines. The additional good news for Filipinos is that California (where most of our TnTs reside) does not seem poised to follow Arizona’s example of enacting such a law.  

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In this regard, two centavos this week are given to our overseas Filipino workers (legal or otherwise) who slave away in foreign lands and endure the loneliness of living apart from their families not only to provide for their loved ones back home but also help keep the Philippine economy afloat.  

Two centavos are also given to newly minted MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino for revoking all number coding exemptions starting this coming Monday. This “pantay-pantay” move is in line with P-Noy’s vision of leveling the field insofar as perks and privileges enjoyed by the public and private sectors are concerned. For sure, our MMDA traffic personnel will be intimidated by the political and commercial road kings but they can seem to rest assured of the support and the full force of the new administration. In fact, I promise to give a few centavos as well to the first MMDA personnel who is able to convince such road king to follow the law. And to Chairman Tolentino, I will give you another two centavos if you are able to fix the congestion, hassle and trouble caused by the other kings of the road — our metropolitan buses.

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 “You can judge your age by the amount of pain you feel

when you come into contact with a new idea. — Pearl Buck

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