Only a woman?

Isn’t it ironic? Only a few weeks ago, we here in the Philippines were worrying over our relatives and friends in the United States, especially those in New York and New Jersey, when they were being hit by floods. How frightened we had been to see footage on TV scenes of water rushing into residential and commercial areas, of vehicles being stranded and families looking helpless as they were being helped away from the danger areas.

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And then this week, it was their turn to frantically call us, wondering how the much publicized onslaught of Typhoon Pablo (Bopha to them, sigh!) was affecting us. They, too, were imagining how we were faring, and imploring us to take the utmost precautions in order to be safe. We in our city and province could assure them that we were not in grave danger, but, for sure, they had also seen how much damage Pablo had wrought on such places as Mindanao, especially the place called Compostela Valley in Davao.

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It seems that the time has come when nobody, no matter where he or she is in this world, can be complacent and say they are not threatened by Nature’s vagaries. Note that, virtually every week we hear about hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, typhoons, and other forms of natural calamities striking in some part of the world. It has come to the point that people now whisper about such things as the end of the world, the apocalypse, and such. By the way, scientists have assured that the so-called end of the world predicted by the Mayan calendar to take place on December 21, is not true. But one can say now that the end came for the 300 or so souls who died in the wake of Typhoon Pablo.

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Meanwhile, it seems strange that the area most severely hit by the recent typhoon was named “New Bataan”. What’s in a name? some ask. Sometimes, however, names have a way of matching what they represent or commemorate. Bataan in Luzon was also one of the most notorious places for savage deaths during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Of course it was also noted for the heroism it brought forth, but many Filipino families still bear painful memories of the place.

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Back to more mundane matters, we have the recent decision of the Ombudsman to dismiss some officials of Polangui, Albay because of a P5 million scam involving fertilizers that was purchased at an overprice. The officials found guilty were the town’s accountant, its treasurer, and agriculture officer, who were found guilty of “grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service”. The news must remind everybody – what is the latest on the infamous fertilizer scam that involved so many officials during the Arroyo administration? And what happened to their alleged ringleader, a certain Joc-joc Bolante?

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I wonder if our readers can keep up with what is happening as far as the Party List system is concerned. Everyday we hear of a new group being disqualified by the Commission on Election, but it seems as if every other day, the Supreme Court grants a disqualified group hope by issuing a TRO against their ouster. So, how many are in and how many are out, so far? I understand the Comelec chairman has determined to leave only 100 of them. Just between us, I think that is still too many. Imagine, that 100 will be availing of P70 million EACH as pork barrel largesse. Let us not be hypocritical by using euphemisms like “development fund” or other nicknames for it. The Comelec is saving us millions, maybe billions by being strict.

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It’s a girl! No, I’m not talking about the expected heir to the United Kingdom’s throne, after Charles and William, of course, with dear, naughty Harry being eased to fourth place. What is being referred to is the next ambassador to China, who, it now seems clear, is another female, career official Erlinda Basilio, who will take over from Sonia Brady, who suffered a heart attack, probably from worrying so much about the rift with China over territorial claims. Does this mean that President Aquino can trust only a woman to handle such a sensitive issue?

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As for the expected royal baby, it looks as if some Americans feel that it is also their own, the way they are gushing over the royal pregnancy. Media entities are cashing in on the news, and the women are all sympathy for dear Duchess Kate, who is having a rather bad time with morning sickness. By the way, some business entities are so enamoured with the idea of an expecting royalty that they have even produced dolls representing, Kate, with a very noticeable growing tummy.*

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