DEFINING MOMENT FOR FILIPINOS

The President's rendition of the SONA before both Houses of Congress and the Filipino nation today has been described as something which will be truthful. It is expected to be a defining moment for Filipinos.

But what exactly is meant by defining moments or at least how will the SONA become a defining moment for a nation?

For an individual, ages 18, 21, 50, 60, 75, 80, 90, or 100, finishing a course, graduation from college, employment, marriage or its silver, ruby, golden and diamond anniversaries, parenthood and retirement are milestones. The defining moments are the events of life or acts undertaken which transform and make a person worthy of emulation and admiration - and be imbued with high self-esteem, integrity and dignity.

The same should be true with us as a nation.

Hence, the 3rd SONA will show to us that as a Filipino nation, we have regained the 1986 Spirit of People Power and those are self-respect and dignity, among others.

Let's see and hear then what the President would say in his 3rd SONA.
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Mass Actions

Mobilizing people for mass actions require specialized skills in organization, crowd control, safety and security, effective propaganda and resource management. But before this could even be done, the people participating, whether volunteers or otherwise, must be convinced of the objectives of such mass actions and their role in effecting change, reforms or even the status quo.

While mass actions are effective means of propaganda, the messages conveyed through the streamers, placards, T-shirts and voices of participants must be read and looked into. They represent the sentiments of the group regardless of the true intention of the organizer.

It is clear that whenever there are mass actions, we should beyond the propaganda. We must also look into the underlying motives behind such mass actions. They may be for a legitimate cause, visibility for a group, political propaganda or simply an exercise of one's freedom of expression.

By doing our homework, we will be empowered as citizens by there mass actions. A good example in history was the People Power of 1986. Many mass actions were staged until the final salvo was realized by mere coincidence when a revolt initiated by a group of young and idealistic military officers was supported by leaders of the establishment and the Catholic Church. Of course, this was fortified by foreign intervention with the eventual diplomatic recognition of the revolutionary government by the international community of nations.

The rest is history.
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Urbanidecatitis: Nemesis of A Metropolis

Growing up in Metropolitan Manila for over 50 years is like witnessing a person grows up from a little healthy child and only to become an almost sickly old man.

Its just fortunate to have good metro managers since the creation of MMDA for otherwise it could have been worst. We can thus never forget the tandem of Madam Imelda and Mel Mathay, the down-to-earth "buhay ay aasenso" Jojo Binay, the iron fist and innovative Bayani and currently, the practical and hands-on Chairman Tolentino - all of them have, in a way, saved Metro from what I coined as "urbanidecatitis" or urban decay - the state of being afflicted with the adverse effects of reckless urbanization such as but not limited to traffic congestion, overpopulation, lack of discipline, pollution, unemployment, criminality and solid waste mishandling.

Urbanidecatitis is man-made. It is treatable and even the scars and marks which it produces and leaves can be removed. All that is needed is the resolve on the part of the people to cooperate with local authorities particularly the barangays, non-government organizations and themselves - meaning, change must start from within.

There is hope. There is time.
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STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

The President will address both Houses of Congress on the state of our nation. It is an event where he is expected to make a report and encourage Congress to pass measures supporting the programs that he needa to initiate further. There will be varied reactions, favorable or otherwise, from various sectors. There will be the usual rallies staged by pro-administration groups and of course the militant anti-administration groups. At the end of the day, what is the bottomline?

There is no doubt that the President's administration will just continue with its existing programs and pursue further its commitment to good governance, transparency, and anti-corruption drive. Any measure needed to be passed will definitely be realized since both Houses are in full support of the President anyway.

We will however expect the President telling us about the gains that we have realized since he assumed the Presidency. He would report that the Philippines has become a creditor country in as much as we are now lending money to the IMF. Our ratings have improved, growth is consisten and that our country is economically stable. The President will also make mention of his administration's ability to prevent any confrontation with China, while we pursue every diplomatic means to insure our country's territorial integrity. Together with this is the fact that our natural resources in the controversial shoal remain intact, while at the same time, we have maintained the gateway for export industry open. Of course, another highlight would be the successful efforts of the government to pursue legal actions against former officials involving scams, fraud and generally, corruption. He will definitely refer to the impeachment of the Chief Justice, resignation of the Ombudsman, prosecution of PGMA, among others. We are doing fairly well with agriculture, finance, tourism, transportation and communications, interior, and justice. But much has to be done on natural resources, social welfare, peace initiatives, defense, and public works.

On the other hand, the SONA may as well tackle government's efforts or stand on the increasing cost of living specifically in relation with fuel price increases, wages adjustment, and keeping or making the prices of commodities low and affordable to the common tao. There is a need to address the problems of poverty, informal settlers, health care and unemployment.

The people need to be assured that the President they elected would continue to work for change and a brighter future. No doubt the President can and will do what he must. He enjoys a consistently high trust rating. The President is considered strong and popular. He is democratically feared, politically sought and unpredictable.