"Leadership is not about doing the first easy thing that comes to mind; it is about doing what is necessary, however hard."
- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, SONA 2008
The President of the Republic of the Philippines had just recently delivered her 8th and her last State of the Nation Address, more popularly known as the SONA. The SONA is the avenue for the President to report to the country, through its representatives in congress, how her administration has achieved its promises during the last SONA, and has helped alleviate the plight of poor Filipino people throughout the nation.
The message that PGMA delivered is simple: she showed that her administration has met all of its targets and is doing the best that it can to continuously be of service to our fellow countrymen. Pre-SONA PR campaigns have already gave expectators a good insight of what is it that the President will report. Dubbed as "On-track sa SONA Targets," several commercials aired at government stations strongly reports progress and growth.
As expected, the SONA was received differently by different groups of people. Some expressed their approval, especially those who had been benefitted by the programs, and some expressed their dismay and loud disapprovals led by members of the opposition, social activists, party list members, the now more pronounced educators, etc. Some even delivered their own versions of what the SONA should look like capturing strong images of social issues of poverty and soaring prices in fuel, transportation expenses, and basic commodities which are among the major concerns of the Juan Dela Cruz.
More than the contrast of opinions, the manifestations of how their sentiments are to be delivered show vast contrasts as well.
While allies of the government seat comfortably at the House of Representative showcasing their fancy and grand Filipiniana outfits, anti-Arroyo advocates march-on to streets clamoring for Arroyo to respond to their pleads of wage increases and price reductions, or to simply step down as President.
While representatives flash their 'ternos' and colorful outfits, the people outside the proceedings simply flash their colorful effigies of the President and some groups wear their respective colors and raise their flags to highlight the strength of the Anti-Arroyo power.
While the pro-Arroyo forces receive the message with heartwarming loud applauses and ground-breaking cheers, Anti-Arroyo forces, on one hand, welcomes the same with loud shouts of dismay, noises, chants for resignation, and burning down of effigies.
Clearly, without any form of exaggeration, the State of the Nation Address can be considered as the country's Biggest Annual Political Festival. With all the noises, and display of colors and fashion, this event is more than an exercise of expression but an event that has always been anticipated by journalist and the Filipinos themselves throughout the world.
Hopefully, the President has also heard this side of the story. Hopefully, the President has also seen the display of colors outside the grandious House of Representatives. Hopefully, the President has heard the cries and appeal for solution more than the loud applause of her allies. Hopefully, the President has not been blinded by the outstanding display of support.
Hopefully, the anti-Arroyo forces have also seen the truth behind the facts. Hopefully, they have also listened to the cheers and applauses of the country's progression. Hopefully, their eyes had not been blinded by their effigies to allow them to look at how the country has moved forward. Hopefully, they have heard more than their own cries to hear what the President has planned for them.
The President has delivered a wonderful assertion on leadership, and hopefully every one who claims that they have the country's best interest (the President, her allies and those who opposes her) would be mindful of the truth behind leadership. More than the power, more than the grace, more than the privilege; there are moments to submit to opinions, moments to do put their feets on the mud and work, and the sacrifices accompanied by leadership.
And hopefully, the SONA would be more than just a Political Festivity, but a movement to continue on searching for a way to capture the concise and clear picture of the country.
Hopefully.
-- This is a plea to all those whom this may apply. I am not a person in authority, nor am I equipped with much wisdom. I am simply a member of the youth who has high dreams that my future son/s and/or daughter/s would get to experience a good life in my beloved country.
