Notice Of Disconnection
Very recently, the Philippines enjoyed a respite from the slew of bad news that hounded this country since the Garci tapes surfaced.
First, the resounding victory of Manny Pacquiao over his Mexican challenger, Hector Velasquez, and bringing home the WBC Super Featherweight title to the country's pride and admiration.
The second good news is the outstanding performance of the Philippines with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presiding over the Security Council and speaking before the United Nations, mingling with various heads of State and earning the reputation of being the first Asian and first woman to lord over the Security Council. The president’s media handlers would have added “The First Filipino” to her many firsts had not Leon Ma. Guerreo and Carlos P.Romulo beaten her to the draw.
Indeed, these two achievements made the Philippines proud and for a brief moment, allowed our country to come together and celebrate in transient harmony. That said, we ponder the aftermath of the two events and come to a conclusion that some achievements are more resounding than others.
It is obvious as between the two accolades, the victory of Manny Pacquiao was the more meaningful and emotionally satisfying. The success that this simple boy from General Santos attained is an object lesson to all Filipinos that with grit, determination, and discipline, the Filipino can achieve his dream. It is a success story that carries greater significance especially in these times of economic hardships and employment uncertainties.
It is a fairy tale worth telling over and over again to give Filipinos who are bowed down by decades of neglect the assurance that we can rise above our stations in life and be all that we can be. It is the quintessential success story of Juan de la Cruz rising from the dumps of poverty and penury. It is a story of hope.
On the other hand, the success of GMA in the United Nations was an achievement derived not from her own sweat and tears but by the accidents of the Gregorian calendar. September had long been the appointed month for the Philippines to head the Security Council and the month the great tribulation that is 9/11 is commemorated. In short, like the ancient Chinese marriage practice, it was an arranged set-up.
Unlike Pacquiao, the president’s success is not a story worth repeating because there is no object lesson to be learned; no impetus for the ordinary Filipino to be the first Ilocano or first Visayan to address the United Nations. No magic moment when the puny Jack killed the mighty morphin ogre of the beanstalk. No tall tales worth exaggerating in Starbucks drinking oodles of latté nor bragging GMA's feats in the tambayan sa kanto over bottles and bottles of beer on the wall.
Unlike Pacquiao, the president’s achievement was not earned through the sweat of her brows. The road before her performance has been paved by diplomats and technocrats, position papers and draft speeches such that her success was a result of a tactical and surgical operation, an antiseptic procedure, if you will. In short, it was emotionless, quite unlike the intense Rockyesque training that precedes the fight with Goliath and the sweat filled victory that follows a bruising brawl.
It is that emotional disconnect with the president’s success why most Filipinos do not seem to gloat with her. And that same emotional detachment was evident while watching the president speak on television of her overseas success. It was not a victory that evinced emotional exuberance and unbridled pride among Filipinos. Cleary, she was no Manny Pacquiao.
If she can achieve success by proxy preparations and serendipitous appointment, pray tell, where is the gloria in that?
And the unkindest cut of all to our president? To come home and share the headline with two Filipinos caught in espionage. As a believer in Divine Providence, the president cannot construe this as mere happenstance. It is a stern reminder kay Lord that though the impeachment case is dead, there is still evil to be undone.
For which we say Amen and amen.
First, the resounding victory of Manny Pacquiao over his Mexican challenger, Hector Velasquez, and bringing home the WBC Super Featherweight title to the country's pride and admiration.
The second good news is the outstanding performance of the Philippines with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presiding over the Security Council and speaking before the United Nations, mingling with various heads of State and earning the reputation of being the first Asian and first woman to lord over the Security Council. The president’s media handlers would have added “The First Filipino” to her many firsts had not Leon Ma. Guerreo and Carlos P.Romulo beaten her to the draw.
Indeed, these two achievements made the Philippines proud and for a brief moment, allowed our country to come together and celebrate in transient harmony. That said, we ponder the aftermath of the two events and come to a conclusion that some achievements are more resounding than others.
It is obvious as between the two accolades, the victory of Manny Pacquiao was the more meaningful and emotionally satisfying. The success that this simple boy from General Santos attained is an object lesson to all Filipinos that with grit, determination, and discipline, the Filipino can achieve his dream. It is a success story that carries greater significance especially in these times of economic hardships and employment uncertainties.
It is a fairy tale worth telling over and over again to give Filipinos who are bowed down by decades of neglect the assurance that we can rise above our stations in life and be all that we can be. It is the quintessential success story of Juan de la Cruz rising from the dumps of poverty and penury. It is a story of hope.
On the other hand, the success of GMA in the United Nations was an achievement derived not from her own sweat and tears but by the accidents of the Gregorian calendar. September had long been the appointed month for the Philippines to head the Security Council and the month the great tribulation that is 9/11 is commemorated. In short, like the ancient Chinese marriage practice, it was an arranged set-up.
Unlike Pacquiao, the president’s success is not a story worth repeating because there is no object lesson to be learned; no impetus for the ordinary Filipino to be the first Ilocano or first Visayan to address the United Nations. No magic moment when the puny Jack killed the mighty morphin ogre of the beanstalk. No tall tales worth exaggerating in Starbucks drinking oodles of latté nor bragging GMA's feats in the tambayan sa kanto over bottles and bottles of beer on the wall.
Unlike Pacquiao, the president’s achievement was not earned through the sweat of her brows. The road before her performance has been paved by diplomats and technocrats, position papers and draft speeches such that her success was a result of a tactical and surgical operation, an antiseptic procedure, if you will. In short, it was emotionless, quite unlike the intense Rockyesque training that precedes the fight with Goliath and the sweat filled victory that follows a bruising brawl.
It is that emotional disconnect with the president’s success why most Filipinos do not seem to gloat with her. And that same emotional detachment was evident while watching the president speak on television of her overseas success. It was not a victory that evinced emotional exuberance and unbridled pride among Filipinos. Cleary, she was no Manny Pacquiao.
If she can achieve success by proxy preparations and serendipitous appointment, pray tell, where is the gloria in that?
And the unkindest cut of all to our president? To come home and share the headline with two Filipinos caught in espionage. As a believer in Divine Providence, the president cannot construe this as mere happenstance. It is a stern reminder kay Lord that though the impeachment case is dead, there is still evil to be undone.
For which we say Amen and amen.
posted by Edwin Lacierda | 12:57 AM
1 Comments:
... and Amen. Well said.
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