4th of July

Hi there! This was supposed to be for last Monday, but I didn’t make it in time for the 4th of July edition when the people of the U.S. of A celebrated their Independence Day. Anyway, here I go this weekend. Yes, I’m still wondering where my invitation to the American Embassy reception is. (Smile! Just wanna make you smile today) It’s the history buff in me again. I understand we used to celebrate Independence Day on July 4, thanks to our – as old folks would have it - American brothers, you know that supposedly special relationship and the like between the U.S. and PH (I wonder, how the descendants of Uncle Sam would refer to us. Their brown little brother perhaps?). Anyway, that day used to be Philippine Independence Day until then President Macapagal (nope not PGMA, just in case you’d ask) decided that it had to be June 12, and the rest is well, independence day history. Anyway there was a time when the 4th of July was referred to as Philippine-American Friendship Day. I checked the calendars in the past few years, there was no more mention of the day as such. Thanks goodness. What friendship? If that friendship day is a holiday, well that would be a different story.

Does that friendship explain why the U.S. pledged to help PH in case of any attack? Thanks to China and the Spratlys. Oops, I think help is not the word, lease is more like it. And needless to say, war is business. Yup, it’s the one which means earning money.

So, PNoy recently marked his first year in office. As expected critics and defenders were abound. Well, what’s Philippine politics without it? And my take on PNoy and governance? You should watch Evita, either that Ron Howard film or the Broadway version. There is that (famous) line in the scene wherein Eva Peron waltzes with the character of Che and that line goes something like “... problems from war to pollution, no hope of solution even if I live for one hundred years.” I agree with that, whoever will make as the country’s top honcho that person will never be able to solve the ills of the country. The critics and the defenders and the surveys and kibitzers notwithstanding. Seriously, the bottomline is, whoever will be on top, it will still take the people to make things happen. And by that I mean, if you are not doing your part, like paying correct taxes, obeying even simple traffice rules, you have no reason to fret.

And yes, it’s still about PNoy. It’s been a year. Suddenly I missed some personalities.Where could the 2010 presidentiables be now? Let me call the roll: John Carlos de los Reyes, Joseph Estrada, Richard Gordon, Jamby Madrigal, Nicanor Perlas, Gilbert Teodoro, Eddie Villanueva and Manuel Villar. I understand two or three of these personalities still had to issue statements that they have conceded to Noynoy Aquino.

If you are an avid viewer of ANC, you should be familiar with their AD which says about how their news team stood to do just that, give the news. I heard a very interesting twist on that: “Issues change, personalities vary, but some headlines remain: Manila flooded during typhoon. Students rally against tuition fee increase. Government official accused of graft and corruption. Oil prices go up.” ((Smile! It’s a new week!)

* * *

In my column last Friday, I mentioned about the implementation of the Non-Smoking in Calbayog. A task force has been formed to put into effect info campaign and similar activities in a good number of barangays. As I have earlier mentioned, there will be no arrests or penalties for violators at least in the next few months. There will be lectures and reminders to those who opt to violate the ordinance.

Ordinance No. 2011-10-018 prohibits smoking in public places, public conveyances, hospitals, schools, government offices and assembly areas. It was signed by the late Mayor Reynaldo Uy last April 13, 2011. It was sponsored by Councilors Raymund Uy with all the SP members as co-sponsors.

* * *

Obit. Mrs. Isabel Gomez-Hernandez was laid to rest last Saturday. She retuned to her creator on June 26, 2011. She was 104 years old.

Another centenarian recently passed away. Leona Molato-Alevario she returned to her creator at the age of 100.

* * *

Quote of the week. A friend of a friend of mine applied for a job in one of the banks in Calbayog. Ang siste daw is that the officer received the papers, looked at the applicant and then he supposedly uttered, “Di ka bagay dito, may pimple ka”. I never knew pimple can have grave effect affect on the performance of a bank worker. Yun lang!

* * *

This is it for now. Have nice week everyone! Ciao!