Let’s restore sanity in our country, please!

By Gonzalo Duque

IT’S great to be back!

Yes, after one long month vacation in the U.S.

To Sammy and  Mita Sta. Maria,  our  gracious  hosts,  thanks for  the warm  reception  and  the  memories!

Some of the good Fil-Ams we stayed with there want to donate to our unfortunate folk here.  We shall tackle this in future issues.

* * *

 In  US of A, our  fellow  Dagupenos  are worried  about  us,  back  home  here,  because  of  the  worsening   recession  in the US,  and  the  rice  shortage  crisis  here.

The obvious  effect  of  the  US  recession  is  that  our  loved  ones  in the  mainland  can’t  send  the  usual  “aid”  to their  families  at  home in the  Philippines. Simple? No, it’s  complicated  because  the  money  flow  that’s  been  going  on  will  be  stopped or  cut  drastically,  and  could  upset  lives. It’s already happening.  Marami na ang umiiyak.  I know because they are telling me.  Sabi nung isa, “attorney, papaano ito,

huminto  na  ang  pagdating  ng alawans  na  pinadadala  ng   anak ko  sa  Amerika,  made-delay ang  pagbayad  ko ng  tuition  sa  apo  ko!”

Even  while  we  were  still  in the US,  our  fellow  Dagupeños  there  were  even  not  interested  in the  exciting  Barack  Obama-Hillary Clinton fight. They are worried about the dollar to send to their loved ones here.

As  if  this  pain  is  not  enough, we  are  now  feeling  the  effect  of  the  impending rice  shortage.  We need to produce more, yes, but it would take time to produce the rice that we need now.

Nagdecision  na  kasi  ang Thailand  and  Vietnam  na  ihinto  na  ang pag-export  nila  ng bigas  sa  Pinas!

Ay naku, magdasal tayo.  Manpikasi tayo, mga agaguik ira.

What’s  compounding our  problem  is  the  mis behavior  of  our  leaders,  our  senators  especially,  and  our  opposition-inclined  citizenry.  Not all, but many of them.  Their  attitude  is  attack  GMA  for  the  slightest  reason  because  it’s  popular  to do  it.  Wala na ba silang sariling pagiisip?

Lalasi kayo, ipapalubog yoy bansa tayo, awey!

In  the face  of  the  imminent  threat  to our  lives,  food  scarcity,  recession,  non-stop  attack,  political  doom-sayings,  we  earnestly  suggest:  magdasal  tayo.

Let’s think of our country.  Let’s think of our children.

Let’s think of our survival!  Let’s restore, por Dios, por santo, sanity in our country.  God bless us all!

* * * *

The  venerable  Chinese  Philantropist  and business  mogul,  Dr. Lucio  Tan,  will be  in  town on  April  16. He will be conferred by the Lyceum Northwestern University a Doctorate in Honoris Causa in Humanities. It will be  his  first  doctorate  from the  province,  we  were  told  by  George  Cham.  We’re happy that Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez is gracious enough to allow the use of her Stadia.

See you all!

* * * * *

Brod Pingcoy, health secretary, was about to be confirmed by the Commission of Appointments were it not for the rantings of Sen. Jamby Madrigal against two generals. But, – aha, this must be news for Ermin Garcia who earlier asked us to persuade Pingkoy to resign.  All the Opposition senators including Jamby and Ping Lacson were for his confirmation.

We wish to thank too the local media who included him (Pingkoy) in their list of 15 outstanding lectors. Thank you, Ruben and Jun V and your tropa.

(Readers may reach columnist at punch.sunday@gmail.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/playing-with-fire/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

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