My Cinderella story at the SONA

By Eva C. Visperas

I can’t exactly remember the number of times I’ve attended the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Gloria Arroyo upon the invitation of House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

But the last one on July 24, 2006 was the most memorable. First, some said it might be the last joint session of Congress as the country is girding towards Charter change (if ever it pushes through), shifting from presidential to parliamentary.

On that note, more years from now, I, together with some media friends from Pangasinan who attended that grandiose affair, can say to our grandchildren and great grandchildren that, yes, we were there in that historic event.

I would tell them over and over about the gorgeous clothes of congressmen, congresswomen and the congressional spouses and the rest of the country’s who’s who in attendance. This year though, I missed Rep. Imee Marcos who normally would parade around in her beautiful gown for everyone to see. She boycotted the SONA.

And then, I would tell my grandchildren about the expensive jewelry of the rich and famous and the luxurious cars lined up in the Batasan Pambansa complex.

Outside and inside the Congress premises, you will see that life is unfair.

Second, it looked like the country was under martial law. “Atchi, it’s raining men!” exclaimed Violy Valdez-Ferrer of Aksyon Radyo and Yolly Fuertes of Inquirer exclaimed upon seeing men in uniform in full battle gear. (Oh, by the way, that’s our joke whenever we see men in droves).

And third, my Cinderella story. On our way to the congress, perhaps out of excitement or due to lack of sleep, I realized I forgot my pair of shoes! Gosh, since we rode in a van, I decided not to wear my SONA required-attire and would change only upon reaching our destination. When I was finally about to change clothes and our shoes of course, I began to panic! My shoes were missing in my bag. I obviously left them at home.

How could I get inside the Batasan Pambansa session hall with only slippers on?

Fortunately, the ever-reliable Mader Helen Bernardo of Radyo ng Bayan Dagupan who luckily brought two pairs of shoes (to match her two sets of blouses) offered me her other pair of black shoes.

But there was another problem. It was half an inch bigger than my size. “Never mind, people can’t notice that anymore because you have long pants,” assured my other sisters in profession. I felt uneasy really but what else can I do?

Here was a Cinderella type story (involving the shoes) but the fairy tale character left with the pair and her destined Prince Charming found another other pair. They laughed (including Punch staffers Joy and Rod upon learning of that story).

Maybe, it was not yet my time to find my Prince Charming. Ha! Ha! Ha!

(You can also read this writer’s other stories at http://businessblog.prepys.com.)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments