Man of the masses speaks from the heart

By Al S. Mendoza 

 

IN his recent TV appearance addressing the Filipino people about the COVID-19 outbreak, President Duterte was in his usual down-to-earth mode.

Naturally, no speech.

Only words plucked out from the heart.

No frills.

No bombast.

No showboating.

Just plain Digong, your typical man on the street.

Savor your man from the masses, delivering his own version of words of wisdom:

1. Di tayo mauubusan ng pagkain. Nagtext sa akin si Ramon Ang. Sino na nga ba yon? (He is President & CEO of San Miguel Corp.).  Pakibasa nga, please?
2. Baranggay captains, trabaho niyo ito.  Wag kayo tatamad tamad.
3. Mga mayors, trabaho niyo hanapin mga nagugutom.  Pakainin niyo sila.
4. Pag may military, tumabi kayong lahat.
5. Sumunod kayo.  Obey. Wag kayo manlaban.
6. Kino-correct ako pero “veerus” tawag ko dyan kasi galit ako!
7. Buhusan ang “veerus” ng kumukulong mantika.  Tarages yan!
8. Ginandahan yung words para di kayo matakot.  Pero ang totoo, lockdown yan.
9. The whole mainland of Luzon is on Enhanced Community Quarantine up to April  Pagkatapos ng Holy Week.
10. Yung Covid lumilipad yan!
11. Si Senator Goma (Bong Go) very sharp!
12. May pera tayo.  Wala tayo masyadong expenses.  Yung Pagcor tinawagan ko. Si Andrea (Domingo, Pagcor chairman), tinanong ko: “May pera ka ba?” Magdo-donate ng P2 billion.
13. Lalabas ako.  Kung pwede ipagdasal niyo kami.  Kung ayaw niyo naman, OK lang.  Magkikita kita naman tayo sa impiyerno balang araw.
14. Kung di ako makalampas sa Covid, di ako karapat-dapat maging Mayor ng Pilipinas. (President po, Tay!)
15. Di mauubusan ng pagkain.  Mag-promissory note kayo sa sari-sari store. Ako na magbabayad. (Raises right hand to promise.)
16. Private sector, magbayanihan kayo.  Madami kayo magagawa.  Mag-release na kayo ng 13th-month pay.  Pero pro-rated.  Yung per month.
17. Ako muna magbayad ng renta niyo.  I swear on my oath of office I will pay. (Raises right hand again—thanks po, Tatay!)
18. Di ito martial law.  Martial law pag may invasion or rebellion.  Eto, “veerus” to.
19. Love your military man. Namamatay yan sa giyera. (Captain Ri?)
20. Wag kayo matakot.
21. Pray kayo.

Varied reactions bombarded the social media afterwards.  One went like this:

“My response to other chat groups with unfavorable comments is the following:

“These are words/statements that endear him to the masses!  Especially to the no-work-no-pay folk and the unemployed.

“He was not addressing the likes of us.”

It was written by Admiral (ret.) Louie Fernandez.

My favorite.  Bravo, Sir!

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