P-Noy as Bulong Pulungan’s ‘Man of Steel’

Because of his standing up in the midst of calamities — circumstances that would have felled lesser mortals — Bulong Pulungan gave President Benigno Aquino III the title “Man of Steel” during the media forum’s Christmas  Tuesday.  Bulong Pulungan was  organized by concerned journalists 27 years ago.

The newsbringers have made ample reports on what P-Noy said at the occasion. I’ll recap the salient points of his talk, but I must say that he looked hale and hearty despite the Super Typhoon burdens he has had  to deal with during the past and coming weeks.

1) He said the media has been presenting negative aspects of the relief campaign to help the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas.

2) His “worst day” this year was when Yolanda made a landfall on November 8. The year had been one of tragedies — the killing of 13 persons in an alleged police rub-out in Atimonan, Quezon province; the heavy damage to the Tubbataha Reef caused by a US Navy ship; the revival of the Sulu Sultanate’s claim to Sabah, which damaged relations with Malaysia; the territorial dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea); the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Coast Guard; the scandalous pork barrel scam that began in July; the storm that hammered Central Luzon in August; the attack on Zamboanga City by Moro rebels in September; the destructive earthquake in Bohol province in October, and then — Super Typhoon Yolanda.

3)  He said, “So many people were affected by this tragedy, but I can tell you that it seems it’s already clear how we will rise again. There are enough capability and resources to make a huge rehabilitation plan work. “

4)  â€œOne thing we can be proud of is that your government will not be the one to tell you that it’s time to give up,” he said, and added that “people showing their fighting spirit should support this fight.”

5) He chided media and critics for negative reporting. “So many of you are good at criticizing. Over breakfast, lunch, dinner and sometimes even during midnight snack, they criticize you.”

6)  He did not seem fazed by his falling popularity ratings. “At the end of the day, the only criteria I have is: Did I do right? And sometimes the right decision may be unpopular. Sometimes, isn’t it that the wrong decision turns out to be popular?”

7)  He defended his appointment of former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, as the “rehabilitation czar,” describing the former chief of the Philippine National Police as “a no-nonsense” guy who will lead government efforts in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda. He said having him “at the center of the rehabilitation efforts will help Cabinet officials focus on their respective responsibilities. I look at the unique capabilities of Senator Lacson to be able to deliver.”

8) His Christmas wish: “I wish that the book of problems in this country for this year finally closes.” He remains optimistic about the coming New Year. “At the start of the New Year, there will be many opportunities, and I really hope that our people will maintain their optimism and their ‘can do’ attitude.”

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I had to ask the President what ached to be asked: what was his thinking on the issues of ordaining women to the priesthood and on gay marriage.  He looked a bit reluctant to answer both questions. He said he “made a mortal enemy” because of a comment he had made on the issue of mixed marriage. “One side of me says human rights are supposed to be universal . . . On the other hand, it’s like if we go into gay marriages, then of course, the next step will be adoption, and I don’t know if  . . . I still have to look at it from the child’s perspective. Is it something that is desirable in an environment for a child? That particular comment got me into the crosshair of an individual who, up to this day, hates me for saying it.”

On women’s ordination, he said he was “not qualified” to give his position on the matter. “But suffice it to say, I’ve seen a lot of nuns who became leaders of their parishes and who really made the Kingdom of God more apparent by their activities and their presence, than some of those more titled individuals.”

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Two Saturdays ago, Rotary Club Manila 101 launched a new initiative called “Health Is Wealth for Rotary, You and Your Family.”  The members and officers, and their husbands who were all presidents of Rotary Club Manila 101 during the term of Ed Tumangan as governor, had themselves undergo laboratory tests, which would determine if they were living a healthy lifestyle.  Also invited were members of the Inner Wheel Club of Manila and Inner Wheel Club of Manila 101.

Busy getting the initiative rolling were Tess Tumangan and Elizabeth Tagle, both past district chairpersons of Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines.

The morning session started with an onsite bio screening for fasting blood sugar, CBC, creatinine, liver, cholesterol and uric acid. The results would probably have many of the Rotarians and partners running to their doctors for their having overshot their quota of sugar intake, and having symptoms of cardiovascular difficulty, hypertension and diabetes.

The initiative is sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital, Manila City Hospitals, and PPC Worldwide (a United Healthcare Group of companies).

According to Majella Villaroman, who has just returned to the Philippines as an expat to set up in the Philippines the United Healthcare -PPC, the program “has a holistic approach, where the members understand the need to connect the physical, emotional, mental and social health for individuals. RC Manila 101 also understands that each individual’s total wellness needs integration and that it cannot be compartmentalized. Physical health is not enough, and before we can share ourselves to our communities, there is a need for us to begin within ourselves.”

The second part of the morning’s session consisted of two lectures. Dr. Joanna Manalo talked about hypertension, cardiac complications, prevention and treatment. She is a cardiologist from St. Luke’s Hospital, Global City, and chief of clinics of Manila City Hospital whose staff conducted the blood extraction.

Dr. Luisa Aquino spoke on diabetes and how it can be prevented. She is a pediatrics cardiac surgeon.

Tess Tumangan said that after the lab results are known, members may consult Dr. Mark Llenado, a wellness specialist.     

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