By Philip Suzara
Pondering… as I sit here at the edge of my mythical life pond.
One can see many things happening at the edge of life’s pond, as in any pond. Decisions are made there, life changing decisions, defining moments… to get in the pond, or not. The pond is encircled by its edges in different forms and kinds: straight, jagged, rough, rocks, pebbles, sand, soil, or mud. Very much like people. No matter the differences we have, we all belong there… around the life pond, inside, outside, at the edge, but there.
We’ve had heavy rains brought by the storm Fabian last week for at least three straight days that seemed like ages, and it had been quite bad for many of us who were affected by the storm’s wrath. Fabian has rendered many areas in the metropolis flooded and impassable, as well as some provincial towns along the storm’s path, unreachable and isolated.
Not to be outdone, the bowels of earth dished out its tremors emanating from Batangas last Saturday with an intensity 6.6 earthquake. While lasting for about a whole minute, it did not scare many when it happened as most souls were still asleep when it rocked us very early in the morning. The earthquake, of course, had its share of damages, in varying degrees, in different areas.
Sunday came and the sun came out to greet us even for just a short while. It felt great after the steady and heavy rains… it rained heavily again for about a good hour and it was starting to dampen my spirits again until it stopped as suddenly as it came.
Monday came and the sun was out, it was going to be a good day… weather-wise!
Monday is also the day when the sitting president presents his last State Of the Nation Address (SONA). This is a most awaited day and event as the Head of State regales his countrymen with his administration’s accomplishments and direction for the duration of his remaining tenure. The opposition and his other detractors are just so glad that it was going to be his last one. He threatens not to go away though, rocking the national electoral norms by attempting to do a repeat of his Davao political gambit. Heaven forbid. Perhaps, the gods probably will it – as in whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad, in the sense of making them blind to the obvious consequences of what they are doing.
I am sharing my fb post yesterday in anticipation of the SONA;
“Salamat at lumabas na rin ang araw. Sana ay humupa na rin ang baha sa maraming lugar na sumalantana sa marami nating mga kababayan.
Huwag po tayong magpabaya dahil may darating na bagyo mamayang hapon sa may Batasan.
Munkahing idilat ang mga mata at makinig rin ng mataimtim nang maunawaan ninyo ang mga idadakdak ng pangulo.
Brace yourselves for some heavy spinning by their PR crafters. Listen carefully, look around you, remember all the blood and lives that have been spilled and wasted, the monies that have been drawn, the incursions by China, the assaults on our moral compass, threats to our civil liberties and democracy, onerous foreign loans and infra contracts, lack of transparency and good governance, poor pandemic management, and many unfulfilled campaign promises.
He and his confreres will want another run in a desperate attempt to maintain the status quo to gain a much needed blanket of protection.
You all discern and decide whether you still want a continuance of this same political climate and governance.
It's about time you respond to the call of duty. Please wake up our kababayans.
We fight and slay the dragons with a sharper sword... a united and louder voice - one solid opposition.
YOKONA!
MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT!”
As the SONA was concluding, the nation was ecstatic because Hidilyn Diaz broke the Olympic weightlifting record with a clean jerk and won the Olympic Gold – our very first Olympic Gold. While with much effort and difficulty, we are still trying very hard in cleaning government of the jerk and his minions.
Yes, Sunshine after the Rain, indeed - in more ways than one. Listen to the words of the song by 98 Degrees…
“You’re my sunshine after the rain
you’re the cure against my fear and my pain
'cause I’m losing my mind when you’re not around
it’s all... it’s all because of you”
The president’s SONA, after being delivered for over three hours… ho-hum, did not make the headlines in most broadsheets. At best, the SONA was at lower fold of the papers. Hidilyn snatched the limelight from the man who was, purportedly, the object of an ouster plot which included her in the supposed ‘Matrix of Plotters” and bashed by the lemmings of government.
Such sweet victory, such sweet revenge – call it poetic justice. This athlete, this woman… Hidilyn – she’s the only Filipina athlete to win an Olympic Medal, Gold. She brought sunshine and glory to our otherwise dark and dreary world.
Five straight years of fear and pain… never have we experienced a government so vile and detached from the people save for his minions and lackeys. His demeanour renders the old despot seem like a little toddler.
Hidilyn’s Gold is the first in our history of competition in the Olympics for close to a hundred years. She also had the first Silver in her category at the previous Olympics. Grim and determined, all of this, she had done gallantly despite meagre resources from government to support her rigorous training and maintenance.
Our athletes, most definitely, do their best competing in their particular sports and categories not only for themselves but, most especially, for our beloved country. They wear their colours with so much pride; they wear it in their hearts and minds.
A snappy salute to you and your team, Hidilyn. You deserve all the accolades and fortune that come your way. Salamat at MABUHAY KA!
And to all the Philippine Olympic Athletes and their support teams, it is already a great honour just to be able to compete and represent your Flag; winning would be an added bonus. Salamat rin sa inyo at MABUHAY KAYO!
“You’re my sunshine after the rain
you’re the cure against my fear and my pain
'cause I’m losing my mind when you’re not around
it’s all... it’s all because of you”
Pondering… as I sit here at the edge of life’s pond.
Philip Suzara
Creature of God. Child of the Universe. Global Citizen. Lover of Life. Freedom Fighter. Agent of Change. Lone Wolf. Occasional Consultant for Strategic Communications.
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