Clattering Knives and Forks
Despite the setting sun of Arroyo’s term, one bombarded with rain, thunderstorm and mostly clouds of doubt and obscurity, the sun hasn’t risen yet—or maybe it never had. Though Estrada’s dethronement, and Arroyo’s crowning was nostalgic to the historic signature of Cory Aquino’s triumph against a dictator, the image of a queen still remains with Aquino, while the riches of a queen is displayed by Arroyo.
Perhaps the fireworks and celebration of the ‘true new year’ should come with the official announcement of a new president, and not with the transition of 2009-2010. Or perhaps the mere confirmation that an electronic election will push through is enough for the Philippines to light up the sky, sing or shriek karaoke, bump overflowing beer, dance tribal rituals beside a camp fire, or at a P500-worth bar entrance—in whatever manner people would want to celebrate the exercise of their right to vote, the right to have a voice. And a fitting ‘medya noche’ should be as savoury and gluttonous as Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s, and her entourage, dinner at Bobby Van’s in Washington DC during their US trip.
But let’s give PGMA the credit she deserves. Her travels have yielded investments, strengthen ties and relations, and even freed sentenced OFWs as a presidential favor. This wouldn’t have been possible if she didn’t personally visited countries to endorse what the Philippines can offer and address the needs of her countrymen.
As all forms of media, critique and magnify the travel expenses, shouldn’t we ask, what do our neighbors and the rest of the world think about us? A country with an international debt, spending money on luxurious country-hopping and unnecessary ‘infomercials’—this is money that could’ve been spent on more beneficial projects or even used to pay our debts.
And yes, PGMA’s speeches, during these expeditions, were filled with words of promise and truth of how foreign investors would benefit from including our humble archipelago in their business outlines. She may have succeeded in talking with words—but she failed to speak with her actions.
In Cory’s words, “I did not come from a rich country, why should I be someone I’m not.” And these words came after the criticism that she always wear the same yellow dress—which she never was ashamed of, and even welcomed the ‘frowned-upon’ observation with open arms and a smiling unhurt pride.
Regardless where the money is coming from, letting the more credible persons debate on that matter, to the eyes of a layman—it will always appear that the money is used from the country’s fund. This is also the reason why elective officials are reprimanded not to dabble in the business field to clear their slate, as government officials, against dubious interpretation.
Now they go off explaining the budget and its nitty-gritty mostly in English, and worse, jargons, that not all Filipinos can understand. They could’ve avoided this attempted recovery for an aftershock by exuding humility and not copying the lifestyle of the rich and famous. More so, their true economic status should’ve been immaterial, it’s like living in social caste system all over again. In the reiterating concept in the field of healthcare, and the most often overlooked proven theory, “Prevention is better than cure.”
We are not a rich country—in terms of financial underpinning. Moreover, we are among the shameful topnotchers of ‘corrupt’ countries. Although the law, the constitution, what it stands for, does not take that into account, it still expounds the need for elective officials to emanate a lifestyle of moderation—but the thing is, we have already been branded as such—and our so-called leaders still have the audacity to display such a luxurious lifestyle.
What about considering all these things before eating a $150 meal, $245 with wine? And if the reason for satisfying their appetite with such cost—enough for a family of three to survive for a month—is because they’re part of the President’s delegation which makes it “nakakahiya” or shameful to seek a less expensive cuisine, then maybe they should always keep a graphic and detailed picture of Filipinos below the poverty line, struggling to make both ends meet, suffering from famine, and place it on the glorious ‘china’ plate before eating.
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