This changing world

Another one. Yesterday’s news reported the collapse of the Romanian government after weeks of protests. But Romanians are luckier than those other countries where changes came about with a lot of bloodshed. This time, their Premier, Emil Boc, realized what he could be in for, and has announced his resignation. Last week, the president of Maldives also gave up his office. They probably were guided by what they saw happening in Iraq, Libya, and other places.

***

Even Myanmar, that we knew from our schoolbooks as Borneo, has started to ease a bit, starting with the release from house arrest of the country’s icon, the persistent Aung Soon suu Kyi. After being detained and harassed by the military junta that had taken over the government, Madame Kyi (or Aung), has finally been allowed out of her detention. And, wonders of wonders, she is even running for office in the coming election of the country. Can you sense the hand of Uncle Sam in the mysterious changes there?

***

Well, many parts of the world are now righting themselves, and maybe it is because we all realize how vulnerable we are, no matter how much power over human beings we acquire. Our world is no longer what it used to be, predictable and comfortable to live in. Time was when summer was summer, warm and pleasant, and winter was winter, cold, crisp but also enjoyable. And they came at the same time of the year, so that we always expected them and planned for them.

***

It is different now, indeed. While Europe and many parts of the United States are freezing, Australia is inundated by floods like it has never experienced before. Reports tell about people dying from the cold in Europe, too. Now, in our country, we have just gone through the viciousness of tropical storm Sendong, and now we experience a violent earthquake right in our own island, Negros. And the quakes also caused landslides, that have buried innocent people as well as their houses.

***

Meanwhile, government and private groups are doing all they can to help the victims of the Magnitude 6.9, some say it was seven, and that is commendable. But there are the major problems of cracked roads and collapsed bridges that prevent aid from reaching the stricken people fast enough. As for the retrieval operations, we wish the workers the best, but, as one of the local officials in Negros Oriental asked: who could remain alive after hours, and now days, of being under all that soil? The only silver lining to this is the instant response of people and local governments by sending help to ease the troubles of the displaced and suffering families.

***

But it was comforting to hear what some foreign medical practitioners who actually helped treat injured victims in Guihulgan, Negros Oriental. Aside from noting the gravity of the situation, with hospitals damaged and their building unsafe, they also expressed admiration for the way residents and other Filipinos responded to the crisis. To them, it was something admirable to see those helping going about their work, uncaring of the hours or the difficult situation and lack of facilities. They even wonder how our people could still manage to smile, with such terrible conditions facing them. But that is the Pinoy spirit, we even smile and bring flowers when we are staging a revolution!

***

Meanwhile, back to the national scene. The decision of the Senate-Court to allow the subpoena of his bank accounts must have finally rattled the object of the impeachment trial, Chief Justice Renato Corona. After not being heard from since the hearing started, he has now come out, asking the Supreme Court, his court, to stop the trial! Puede ba ‘yon (Is that possible)? I understand this special court, composed of senators, is a distinct and special one, formed just to try him. And by the way, the other Justice who is also facing impeachment for alleged plagiarism, has gone on sick leave, and may resign. And there’s another saying that applies to that: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.*

back to top