for everyone |
Ma. Anne Teresa S. Rivera, et al.
Watching our honorable and distinguished senators go at it the other day, and generally try to make a spectacle of themselves on nationwide television, was more than enough for me to ask myself where this country is headed, and what we did to deserve it all. As one of their own kind saw fit to suggest, in the strongest and most vigorous fashion, they should all demit, retire, quit, or otherwise get out of and have nothing further to do with the hollowed halls of the so-called upper house. Such a suggestion of course was simply dismissed or ignored by her colleagues as another one of her typical hysterics or hyperboles. Alas, resigning a coveted high or lucrative office in the Philippines or even admitting and apologizing for a mistake, gross negligence or misconduct is like praying for snow in mid-July. It is simply unheard of, ridiculous and downright unrealistic in a country that has all but forgotten the meaning of “delicadeza.” Please, they would be justified to plead, we’re no longer a colony of Spain. Indeed, we are now the rulers.
It was enough to make one abandon all hope for the future of this country. What is infinitely worse, it made even ATE GLO look good.
It is not for me to remind these honorable and distinguished “gentlemen” how to behave or what is expected of them as so-called “elder statesmen.” As suggested by our Good Lord, I have long forgiven them for they seem “to know not what they are doing” or supposed to do. But, sometimes, I cannot help myself. I keep looking for the likes of Claro M. Recto, Jose W. Diokno, Padilla, Tolentino, Tanada, etc. Instead, I keep seeing images of Jinggoy, Loi, Bong, Lito, Jamby. There oughta be a law banning senators from sporting such cute nicknames. Downright unbecoming or befitting their nicknames.
Fortunately, just the other week, I happened to read a piece published in the “INQUIRER” that made me feel good about the future of this country. Featured in the “Young Blood” section (PDI 1/14/10), the article entitled “Human capital” was written by – who else – Ma. Anne Teresa S. Rivera. Who? That’s right, Ma. Anne Teresa S. Rivera, an 18-year old girl I have never met nor heard of then or now. According to the “INQUIRER” she is a second year Humanities student at the University of Asia and the Pacific.
First of all, before this senile old fool forgets, through this little blog I would like to extend to Ms. Rivera, her parents and mentors, my sincere congratulations and admiration for such a well-written and most mature essay. Its content and presentation exhibit a mind that thinks and knows much more and better than most adults and leaders have shown in this blessed land.
It is not important what she wrote about – the Filipino diaspora and the brain drain. For me to summarize or describe how she wrote and developed the topic would not do justice to the article. You would have to look it up and read it yourself. It’s her mature insights and unique views, much older and wiser than her tender age that are at once astonishing and most impressive.
When I was her age, I had just left the seminary with no clear notion why nor any clue what I wanted to do with my life. Instead, reading Ms. Rivera, you get the feeling that with young people like her, the future of this country is in good hands.
Then I remember EFREN PENAFLORIDA, the so-called “Pushcart Educator” and voted 2009 CNN Hero of the Year. And Charice Pempengco who is not quite 18 and already world famous. Or Major Dennis Eclarin and Patricia Gallardo.
Well, ok, forget about those honorable and distinguished gentlemen masquerading as lawmakers. I’ll sleep well tonite. Thanks, Ma. Anne, Efren, Charice, Dennis and Patricia. I leave the future of this country in your hands.-JAMES D. LANSANG
butchcelestial wrote on Jan 27, '10
In case anybody want to read the article James mentions above, click here: http://services.inquirer.net/mobile/10/01/14/html_output/xmlhtml/20100113-247183-xml.html |
butchcelestial wrote on Jan 28, '10
As Christians (real followers of Jesus Christ) we know from where our leadership should get its values - the Bible. Its all there. My favorite on the subject of leadership is the Book of Nehemiah. Unfortunately, some of the so-called 'Christians', who have not even seriously read the book to understand, dismiss it as outdated, irrelevant, boring and meaningless reading. I know because I sometimes find some parts of of it a bore. But it was written for a period of 1,500 years by more than 40 authors for a readership this past 2,000 years. It will appeal selectively but the insight is priceless. Its the very Word of God. |
boils down to arrogance 
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