Where were the others? Like many other Filipinos, I watched with interest the change of administration in the United States, where Joseph R. Biden took over the presidency from Donald Trump. But like those others also following the TV coverage, I was disappointed because the outgoing president was “no show” and had fled to Florida before the rites. So Biden had the show all to himself, while Trump must have been sunning himself in Florida, licking his political wounds.
***
Anyway, Biden must have been greatly consoled by the presence of three of the most popular and accomplished leaders before him – three who knew their moral obligation to show their respect and support for the incoming leader. So the American people owes kudos to Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama who gained more respect and admiration, not only from Americans but from people all over the world, who never admired Donald Trump, anyway. I don’t think Biden missed him, though.
***
As for Clinton, Obama and Bush, who did show up, they only raised their popularity among their people. Worse was Donald Trump who could not even say “Goodbye”, if not to the entire nation, at least to those who voted for him and supported him. I bet many voters were glad they did not vote for him in his reelection bid. Well, it takes all kinds. You seldom see politicians like our former President Fidel Ramos, who continues to be admired and whose opinions are sought on major issues. That is an example of a gentleman politician.
***
When Fidel V. Ramos was president, I was included in almost all his state visits, representing the provincial press. So the Manila media used to tease me about that, until I told them that my middle name was Ramos, and in fact, the President and my uncle Toti Ramos call each other “Primo”. That was when they stopped teasing me and especially when his wife, Ming, who is an Ilongga, and I always got together to talk about common friends and relatives. Not only was FVR a very practical president, he was also very popular among world leaders and very well liked by the heads of the countries who had invited him for state visits.
***
“Democracy has prevailed”, that was the mantra of the Biden administration after he took over from Trump. That was why, reports said he spent his first day in office signing 17 orders, and undoing the policies set by Trump that he felt were not accepted by their people. It must have been a very busy first day in office, and let us hope this will be the norm. There is an old Filipino saying (translation mine) When an official is new, his heart is hot, but after the passage of time, his feet will be the ones hot.” Not as funny as in the Ilonggo version, but we have readers abroad, you know!
***
The fireworks display at the Capitol in Washington D.C. was spectacular, but I think our local fireworks operators are at par with them. There was nothing in their display that our own operators are not capable of showing. After this, I am sure they will try to outdo the Washington show, and I am sure they can do it. Sometimes I wonder why fireworks add so much to the success of a celebration. And we are proud to note that our operators here can compete anytime with theirs. Trust the Pinoy, not only to copy, but to outdo.
***
The CNN described it as a “historic” inauguration. And indeed, it was in a lot of ways. One is that the outgoing president fled and did not attend the turnover of power. Does he still believe he had won the election? Then why didn’t he file a protest? Maybe he was consoling himself, after all who wants to lose, especially if you are an incumbent? But maybe he didn’t know how to read the signs. I would be disappointed in the American media if they had not been giving him the danger signs. Well, it’s over now, and he has left Washington, but is he still dreaming of a comeback?
***
Many Filipinos will be delighted at this revelation that the new President, Joe Biden, is a Catholic, and immediately after the inauguration rites, he proceeded to the St. Matthew Cathedral. He is only the second Catholic to become president of the U.S.A. The first was the popular and very charismatic John F. Kennedy who rose to the White House like a bright star that was extinguished too soon.*
