Major Stories in 2004 in Politics and Basketball

“Woe to the country which would madly and impiously reject the service of the talents and virtues, civil, military, or religious, that are given to grace and to serve it; and would condemn to obscurity everything formed to diffuse luster and glory around a state. Woe to that country too, that, passing into the opposite extreme, considers a low education, a mean contracted view of things, a sordid, mercenary occupation, as a preferable title to command.” – Edmund Burke

            This early Juan Dela Cruz is looking forward to 2004 presidential election and there are others who cannot wait any longer. For reasons known to many that the present administration is not living up to its promises and the daily life of Juan is becoming much worse than his memory can possibly endure recalling. Various groups such as the Silent Protest Movement protesting, I suppose, silently still, the ubiquitous BAYAN and KMU, and just recently the Aklas Pilipino, have tried out ways, which are as of now still within the bounds of the law, calling for the resignation of the president. There are other concerted efforts from the militant groups which convey the same motive through being communicated in a subtle fashion.

            One of which was the survey conducted by the UP Collegian with the question: if President Estrada were to be replaced, who will you choose to replace him? Since the respondents were UP students, expectedly our own Roco topped the race with 38.03%, at the very far second. Macapagal-arroyo with 5.9%, then Santiago with 2.8%. The rest of the respondents either had no answer with 36% or two answers with 2.7% making them void. As a Bicolano, I am keeping my fingers and I hope you do the same too. In any case, there is always a first time and let us all be the one in believing this is our time.

            On the other hand, the visit of Grant Hill, heir apparent to his airness Michael Jordan in our country last weekend turned this basketball-crazy state into frenzy. Young and old basketball fanatics mobbed and followed him wherever he went. Interviews came after the other asking questions that might rouse the interest of the audience. Frankly I was roused by his response, when asked if he would be going back here; that he intended to go back and run for president. Of course he was just kidding, but the public was not. If the voting public had sent a moving star in Malacañang, why not a basketball star? For a change that will ever be.

            Notably, the metamorphosis of Philippine politics into the arena of wealth and more wealth plus popularity-mania has been detrimental to our dreams and aspiration of the nation. Our whole political system cannot offer much to the hoping and striving poor. Elections become futile exercise to the empowerment and the representation of the people. Before and during election, the aspirant speak the language of the people but once get elected, they speak no other language to their people than their money. And it stings when money speaks because everybody listens without even understanding.

                                                                                                                         

            Hypothetically, Bicol is not like that. The region is noted for being an opposition in the national election. That sometimes becomes my imagined excuse for Bicol being the second poorest region, albeit it has rich natural resources and people of great minds. It tends to go against the administration. That alone has two effects; It is good for regionalistic ego and bad for our economics. However in 2004, things are about to change. As Bicolanos, are we want to make the change? The difference lies in you.