RAIN OF FIRE

Cesar G. Bonilla
Can things be worse?

LAOAG CITY - Realization of the litany of woes that confront our society at present may tempt one to ask: How can things be worse? Scandalous graft and corruption allegedly destroyed the morality of a nation, a ballooning foreign debt and grinding poverty are among the harsh realities the people face daily.

An in-depth study of the Filipino psyche might trace the root cause of all these miseries to the failure of national values to bring about positive social changes. Perhaps one of these could be the passion to talk. So much time, so much energy wasted on often excessive verbiage there is so little left for genuine meaningful work.

Take the issue of pervasive poverty in Filipino society as an instance. For decades, leader after leader, politician after politician have talked themselves hoarse on plans and programs to minimize the dehumanizing affliction. But it seems that for every anti-poverty word uttered, another soul slips into the wire.

Worse there is apparent national taste for the delivery of a cascade of rhetorics, pretty prose, well-crafted metaphors and fluid sentences. Would it worth only for grandstanding? Good for copy? Worthless for the hungry poor. The school should be no exception as an anvil for work. In fact, it should be showcase. Regrettably the “words” bug appears to be crawling in the campus as well.

While just about every educator has spewed out lament over the present sorry state of the academe, a really clean-cut, nonsense relentless effort to arrest the downward trend in the quality of education has yet to be felt. On their own, teachers and students could make a difference, at least in their own particular set up. From the former should be expected a little more scholarship, a little more enthusiasm and creativity; from the latter a little more diligence, receptiveness and the drive to breakthrough the walls of apathy and indifference. All it takes is work.
***
The building of hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home for the aged are meaningful and highly laudable projects that a government should be bound to uphold. The plan of the city government of Laoag to improve the facilities and services of the hospital within their respective jurisdiction can be effective mechanism to upgrade the basic health services for the marginalized Ilocanos.

The blueprint of progress has been expected in this Sunshine City and this can be made realized if all its citizens no matter how committed they may be, greatly entangled in an atmosphere of healthy environment. This is a Herculean task but with the united efforts of the Laoagenos, everything may come smoothly as possible. We need compassionate and humble doctors and nurses that will treat both rich and poor patients alike without hypocrisy. A friendly gesture can give life to a dying patient and a silent prayer can be an investment in heaven.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo once again faces a new impeachment complaint filed by well-known personalities for alleged corruption, vote-rigging and other crimes. Let the mandate of heaven be the oracle to determine the veracity of the allegation against the President.
***
Sports tourism in Ilocos Norte can give us an assurance that our ingenuity in the field of athletic prominences edge out other provinces if we could lump together and promote this exciting project. With Gov. Michael Marcos-Keon at the helm, nothing is impossible knowing very well his dedication and able leadership as a Sports czar since the administration of his uncle, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

With the innovative spirit of provincial tourism officer Angel A. Lao, Ilocos Norte will soon inspired visiting tourists because of the genuine sports festival spearheaded to enliven the mystified visitors and dignitaries.
***
Upon the establishment of the Japanese-sponsored Republic, the late President Jose P. Laurel was elected in the highest office of the land on Oct. 14, 1943. But for accepting and serving in that position, he became a controversial figure. Those who did now know him well thought that he was a traitor to his country.

According to our history, shortly before the outbreak of the Japan-US War in September 1941, President Manuel L. Quezon at that time appointed Laurel Secretary of Justice. When Quezon left for Corregidor with his family and later for the United States to establish the Commonwealth Government-in-exile, Laurel wanted to join him.

But Quezon told him to stay because a big man like him is needed to meet the Japanese and that the people must be given protection during the hardest time in nation’s history. I say this to inculcate the high sense of patriotism and nationalism in the hearts and mind of the youth.