FOR ALL the rhetoric and verbosity, the SONA echoed with sentimentality and even the beginning of a farewell address. It didn’t help that the orchestra was playing sentimental music belonging to the era of the president. Musical pieces like MacArthur Park, What A Wonderful World, among others, were performed before the program and even after.
Perhaps I’m just a sentimental fool but I see that the sting and bite of the president’s words were no longer there. They didn’t burn anymore unlike in the early years of his presidency. For the most parts, I attribute it to being his “last SONA”.
I see that the president is exhausted and weary, and the remaining months of his presidency will most probably serve out the residual commitments he has made during this SONA.
In a story published by www.philstar.com, ‘Five things Duterte was expected to discuss at his sixth SONA (but didn’t)’, the following were highlighted: 1) Long-term pandemic response amid Delta variant; 2) Short-term vaccine supply woes; 3) Broken campaign promises; 4) Plans for West Philippine Sea tensions; and 5) Economic uncertainty.
I do not wish to add to the chorus of criticisms and praises because they have been loudly spoken and articulately written already. Besides, the somber mode of his delivery, says it all.
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The scenario in General Santos City will be exciting come October 2021. With all the internal squabbles of local parties, the transfer from one party to another, the “laglagan”, the desertions, among others, everybody’s holding their breath as the great reveal will happen in October 2021.
Speculations are rife about the possible switching of outgoing Mayor Ronnel Rivera and South Cotabato, 1st District Representative Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles in the coming 2022 polls. As of today, no official pronouncement has been made yet. Everybody plays one’s cards close to one’s chest, so to speak. But that’s how it is with politics. Either you announce very early on, or you announce at the last minute depending on your intentions. In the meantime, the locals are on a wait and see mode.
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After a couple of years, I finally intentionally met a good friend this week over coffee. Although we chance upon each other on FB and rarely in malls before the pandemic – the last time we met was in 2017 together with his fellow thesis writers, we haven’t really spoken in years about life, family, career, and what have you.
It is true that if we don’t set the time to meet friends intentionally, time will overtake us and that is sad because there is a tendency to drift apart.
But I’m glad that after all these years, we still laugh out loud and share the same distaste for people who are abusive, sexually harass those under their authority, influence, and moral ascendancy, and traditionally want to impress the higher ups to get promoted. What a bunch of crap! And they are wearing uniforms. What a shame!
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Today, I will teach at the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC)-Regional Training Center 12 in General Santos City via ZOOM. Come to think of it, I have been a lecturer of PPSC since August 2010 and have handled Communications, Public Speaking, Gender and Development, Police Media Relations, Leadership, to name a few. However, the subject that gives me the most satisfaction is Public Speaking. I just love teaching the basics and listening to the actual speech delivery of students, critiquing for improvement, and be impressed by the creativity and passion of many.
Public speaking is an art. As you practice, you hone your skills, get sharper through time, and eventually become adept at it.
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My suggestion to those who are angry is to find relief by articulating that anger. It’s not healthy to keep anger. It will only make you sick. There should be a cathartic release for your own well-being and peace of mind. Never ever believe people who diminish the value of your anger, angst, or frustration. Find healthy release and never regret it. Like I said, for as long as it is a healthy release and no one is harmed in the process, do it.
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Food for Thought
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. – Desiderata
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
