Today is SONA Day, and if you still do not know, or remember that what that is, then you must have been out of the country, or just out of tune with the times we will listen to our President, the Honorable Rodrigo Duterte, report to us what is going on and what has gone through in the past year if his administration. I heard reports saying it will be a short one, shorter than any of the ones delivered by his predecessors, and me, I credit him for that. We’ve gone through so many kilometric SONAS, and I confess that I rarely get to the end of them in the past. Short but sweet – is that what you mean, Mr. President?
***
Of course there is nothing better than being actually there during the SONA affair, but since Mr. COVID has made that impossible, let us make do with the television version. And since it doesn’t seem likely that this President, unlike no other, has no intention of prolonging his agony, I mean term, this should really be worth listening to, and, of course, also watching every nuance of his delivery. This is a rare head of state we have now. While most of the others could hardly let go of the post, he seems to be itching to leave it as soon as he can. And that’s what we will miss, and had missed in his predecessors.
***
Will his address focus on the ongoing pandemic? I hope not, because nobody is blaming him for it. Truth to tell, I even think our country is doing better than others as far as this plague is concerned. In fact, our delegation to the Olympics has already gotten a medal, and who knows? For the first time, our hardy Pinoys may present their best performance in this one. Let us pray for them, not only for their success, but for the protection against the COVID that has already caused several athletes from various countries to be sent home!
***
Let’s focus on the COVID for a while. Let’s listen to the Health Department and relax a bit. Its latest pronouncement was that there is no surge of the Delta variant in our country, and for that status to continue, let us all keep praying. And let us also pray that we will not experience that those yellow and orange rainfalls supposedly experienced by other countries. By the way, have scientists already released their studies on what those colored rains indicate, or could cause humanity? I don’t think I have ever heard or read of such happenings before. Suppose the rains turn red? What could that mean?
***
I am no medic, but I am among those who are really encouraging our people to undergo vaccinations. There is no excuse, especially in our city, because vaccines are available for everyone. But it is heartening to know that our Health Department has assured that there is no surge in the COVID variant identified as Delta in our country. Nevertheless, let’s not be complacent, follow all restrictions obediently, and especially avoid gatherings. By the way, what sanctions were made on that family in Navotas who dared hold a children’s party recently?
***
Maybe there were no legal penalties, but suppose the party-goers all turned positive? I think we could blame not only the parents of the party-going children, but those of the celebrator’s family, most. Knowing the situation as far as this pandemic is concerned, it was downright irresponsible of them to dare to hold a party. Especially one for children. Who were made to answer for that irresponsible act? In the meantime, let’s forego the party celebrations, at least for this time. And if need be, just mark the occasion within the family.
***
What a heartless medium television is. I couldn’t help laughing out loud by myself when some viewers noted the eye bags of a TV reporter. I guess the guy had been having sleepless nights on his job, or on some personal problems. I really sympathize with him, because he is not only a Bacoleño, he was also the student of my sister Perla, and the last time they met, at the Government Center, he was so happy and proud to be her student, although he did not forget to add that she was also a “terror” in the classroom, which made then all fearful to miss their homework, or fail to listen during her Mathematics class.
***
Oh my goodness! The typhoon that hit China and Japan was named In-fa! That sounded almost like Ninfa, and just imagine the kidding I am going to get for having a “tocaya” like that. I think it was still going on, but not as ferociously as expected. I remember joking with friends with names given to typhoons before that I was not likely to have a typhoon named after me since my name is, I thought, only a Filipino one. In fact, I never had a classmate, or even a schoolmate, at La Consolacion College, where I studied from pre-school to college, with the same name. I never had a nickname, either, but some of my aunts called me “Fa-fa”, and that was it.*
