PHILIPPINE President Noynoy “PNoy” Aquino delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address(SONA) on July 22, before the joint sessions of the Senate and House of Representatives and before kababayans worldwide.
PNoy’s 102-minute speech heralded the achievements of his administration, focusing mainly on the economy and public service.
Like his his previous SONA, Aquino slammed the Arroyo administration and the problems he inherited from his predecessor, which his government continues to fix to this day.
PNoy ended his speech with a quotable quote: “Ako si Noynoy Aquino. Pilipino ako. Napakasarap maging Pilipino sa panahong ito.”
In our daily poll on Balitang America, we asked our viewers: “Given what is happening in our Homeland, are you proud to be Filipino?”
Most of our viewers (88 percent) said YES. Many of them, however qualified, that their Pinoy pride these days is not because of Aquino’s performance as president of the Philippines. They said that “napakasarap maging Pilipino,” with or without the economic and social problems that besiege our Homeland.
On the other hand, twelve percent of our viewers said NO. Some even pointed out: “Sa dami ng mga problema at corrupt sa gobyerno — minsan, nakakahiyang maging Pilipino.”
As Balitang America Northern California Senior Correspondent Henni Espinosa reported, the president’s message resonated well with many Fil-Am community leaders, who affirmed that PNoy has every reason to brag about his accomplishments.
Other kababayans, however, were divided in their feedback on PNoy’s SONA.
Gloria Navarette, a community leader who also played an active role in the Ninoy Aquino Movement which toppled the Marcos dictatorship in the 80s, said: “He should be proud. We are proud of him.”
Navarette echoed the approval of many Filipinos regarding PNoy’s peformance as President. She told Espinosa that she applauds the younger Aquino and his concern for the masses. She said PNoy’s administration continues to provide housing for poor families and allocates a good share of government resources to social services and public education.
Some kababayans in the Bay Area, however, were disappointed that PNoy failed to discuss how his administration plans to create jobs. The lack of job opportunities back home have driven most kababayans to greener pastures outside of the country, enduring loneliness and sometimes, even abusive employers in a foreign land, in order to provide for the needs of their loved ones back home.
Husband and wife Waldo and Josie Reyes told Balitang America: “Napakaraming walang trabaho ngayon. Napakaraming OFW na naaabuso ng amo o talagang naghihirap. Marami na siyang nagawa, pero kulang pa.”
Some kababayans were also critical of the fact that Aquino did not discuss the need to pass the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill , which they say is a critical element in his aspiration to lead the Philippines towards “daang matuwid.” The president promised to push for its passage four years ago.
Human rights advocates were likewise disappointed that the president did not address the need for accountability from the military for the many human rights violations in the country.
Meantime, our Balitang America New York Correspondent Don Tagala talked to kababayans in the Tri-State area and in Chicago about Pres. Aquino’s message: “napakasarap maging Pilipino sa panahong ito.”
Many echoed his pride about the Philippines. Others did not mince words about what they thought were the shortcomings of this administration.
Here are some of their comments that we aired in the newscast:
“Sobra[ng] masarap, kasi unique ang Pilipino. Lahat, nagagawa natin…tapos gumaganda na ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Salamat kay Presidente PNoy Aquino.” – Fitzgerald de Leon
“Maganda na nga…improved na ang economy….parang gumanda na ang buhay sa Pilipinas. May mga businesses na nag-iinvest, so I think we are doing well.” – Mercy Williams
“Pareho pa rin. Hindi naman nagbabago.” – Mel Sunga
“Marami pa ring problema, gutom pa rin. Sa mga politico, dapat alisin na yung pork barrel. Binubulsa lang eh.” – Zenaida Lorenzo-Ramirez
“Positive. You can only apply to those people who try their best. If you have a positive thinking of life, it will be good. Right now I think Aquino is doing a good job. Very positive.” – Concepcion Magsino
“Siguro dapat balanced, hindi lang dun sa positive way but siguro dapat din niyang tignan [na] marami pa ring mahihirap, marami pa ring squatter. Pero I think yung krimen nag-slow down ng kaunti.” – Hilda de Guzman
Dapat hindi lang [ang] presidente natin [ang] mag-initiative [sa] ikagaganda ng ating bansa. Dapat lahat tayong mga Pilipino. Nasa Pilipinas man tayo o nasa ibang bansa, dapat tayong magtulong-tulong.” – Cesar de Leon
Post-script: SONA as Oscars
Here’s a great comment from Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, which encapsulates the comments of many Fil-Ams as well.
Pangilinan wrote on Facebook:” SANA sa SONA hindi na binubusisi ng media yung mga suot na barong o gown o sapatos o bag ng mga pulitiko at opisyal para hindi na rin susubok na magpatalbugan ang mga ito. Ano ba ang saysay ng magarbong mga kasuotan sa kalagayan ng ating bansa? Nagtatanong lang.”
Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago gave a more blunt commentary, saying in a press statement: “I watched TV and could not stand it. The SONA event should be a serious time for the Congress to pick up policy directions indicated by the President.”
“It should not be treated as Oscar night in Hollywood, with a red carpet, where peacocks spread their tails and turn around and around, as coached by media in a feeding frenzy.”
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
