Imelda’s paintings

The last report I got last night from the People Power, Hong Kong edition, was that it was raining and the protestors were sharing umbrellas. Still a Filipino reporter covering the event said that the mood of the crowd was still festive. Me and my suspicious mind cannot help thinking, are they sure the rains were not brought through cloud-seeding?

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The report that some Filipinos had been seen joining the crowds is quite worrying because they should remember that they are not citizens and could risk, not only loss of jobs and deportation, but possibly even conviction and imprisonment. They really should keep their hands off this problem and content themselves with praying for the safety and success of the participants.

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But we know our people, they cannot stay away from excitement and this could only be entertainment for them. When Iraq invaded Kuwait and there was shelling and bombing everywhere, we heard stories about Filipinos who would not run to the shelters, but even went to the top floors of buildings to watch the “fireworks”. I even heard that they were shouting and cheering whenever there was a
“hit”! It is that kind of mentality that makes them join the Hong Kong protestors, ignoring the appeals of our officials to stay off.

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Had Vice President Jejomar Binay ever imagined this sudden drop in his ratings in surveys for the presidency? For so many months, he kept shooting up and it seemed there was no stopping his race to Malacañang, that it was already a done deal. Who ever thought that so many skeletons could be dug up, with a lot of them almost impossible to re-bury? Oh, we can’t underestimate what professionals in damage control can do, but there are talks that things are going to be worse instead of better. Well, 2016 is still a bit far away yet.

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It is becoming very clear: The Commission on Election, especially its present chairman, Sixto Brilliantes, wants to delay the election, if not abolish the white elephant that is the Sangguniang Kabataan. First it was announced that the election would be held in February next year, now they want it moved to 2016. And, indeed, Congress should listen to him and save billions for the operation of the SK that has not been seen to be advantageous both to the members and to the country.

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Note that the ages set for SK members are between 15 and 17. Those are just the ages when they are in high school and should be focused on their studies, and not in politics, where they only learn bad habits. They also cost the government a lot because they are given allowances and privileges that enable them to engage in activities they could not otherwise afford. Worse, most of them begin to emulate the bad practices of their elders in the political arena. I hope Brilliantes succeeds in his mission. Sadly, however, he is due to retire soon.

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Wow! That must have been quite a haul for the Sandigan sheriffs who went to the Marcos residence at San Juan, Metro Manila to seize the priceless paintings collected by former first lady and now Congresswoman Imelda Marcos. Imagine, the painting included some from the world’s greatest artists that must cost billions of pesos now. You’d think the SB was name-dropping when it mentioned works of Michaelangelo, Picasso, Gaugin, Goya – pieces that only millionaires in the United States and Europe could afford to acquire!

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The report said the paintings will be deposited at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, formerly known as the Central Bank of the Philippines. I hope the BSP will hold an exhibit so the ordinary Pinoy will have a chance to view the works of the masters. I admit I have not seen any original painting of those geniuses, only photos. If an exhibit is planned, I will surely try my best to go and see those pieces as they may be auctioned off by the government, and we will never have an opportunity to view them.*

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