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Yes we can.
Nov. 5th, 2008 01:26 pm
Barack Obama has just finished delivering an impressive, somber yet rousing first speech as the President of the United States of America. Truly, today is a day to note down in the annals of history. Throughout his speech, I felt chills; it must have been amazing to be there in Chicago right now. I certainly look forward to his first day in the office, and I will certainly watch what he does with the presidency- hopefully, what he has promised all along: CHANGE. Big, sweeping changes. The U.S. needs it, and so does the world. Maybe it's just the inspiring tone of what conspired today, of how amazing it is...but it makes one feel that we really are on the brink of an empowered citizenry, on the way to a linked sense of conscience and responsibility, to a collective awareness of what lies a head and the will and desire to face it.
Well, at least in the U.S. When that day when a Philippine president elect (or heck, as if it's too much to ask: an incumbent president) will effect that kind of hope, that kind of sense that things are about to change, for the better - I will be only too happy. Or dead, at the rate of things. It seems like a far-off dream, laughable even.
Actually, yesterday, in our Citizenship and Governance class, we were discussing the (lack of) transparency and accountability in the Philippine government. Our professor invited Vincent Lazatin, Executive Director of the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN), who was also rather charming and smart and magnetic and pretty cute for a 40+ year old. *COUGH* BUT I DIGRESS. TAN is an organization that is dedicated to an admirable, if seemingly pointless (let us hope not), cause- TAN serves as a venue for coordinating the "transparency and accountability initiatives of civil society", "to engage government, the private sector, and the citizenry in a comprehensive strategy to promote transparency and accountability". In short, they are fighting the big fight: corruption. Corruption, in what is the most corrupt government in Asia, according to perception polls. Dear old 'Pinas.
He was talking about the national mood, and how it affects the performance and the build up of complacency in our country, how we like to complain when we could hardly be bothered to act on it. Definitely sounds like the Philippines I know. Anyway, the results of the U.S. election reminded me of an anecdote he shared yesterday. On the first day of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in office, she was interviewed about what she intends to do with the presidency. If I remember right, she said something like, "I don't want to promise great things...I just want to be a good leader." Something to that effect. And that, my friends, is a sure proof of how inspiring our national leaders are. Uninspiring, uncreative. Not to mention thieving, but that's a whole other blog.
And before I forget!
To Driko, my chick-boy, vain, and funny little brother, and built-in bestfriend
To Miko, the muscle man and bigote boy, (also my little brother and other built-in bestfriend)...
And to the best Dad in the world!!!!!!!!!!
To the three (out of four) men of my life, HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Oh, I love you so. Can't wait for our steak dinner later! Miks and Driks! Rockband and Guitar Hero fest later! ;)
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