Think about it
Munching the hard nuts
By Jun Velasco
WE saw on TV the other night our friend, Philippine Air Lines vice president for media, Rolly Estabillo, taking an LRT ride for home.
Instead of using his car, Rolly — he was our editor in a Manila daily in the early 80’s — was chanced upon by a reporter. They chatted briefly. But an enterprising PR chief of LRT, who looked like Jinky Giorgio, saw a propaganda opportunity for her company.
LRT has VIP passengers too. But we saw a more punchy message: mahal ang gasolina, now the VIPs are now using LRT or public transport.
Which was what Rolly, a distingushed former mediaman, said so. “The car is no longer a practical means of transportation because of the sky-high price of gasoline,” he said.
Wait, before you blame President Arroyo for this, there are things beyond her control.
Read this: On its June 23, 2008 issue, Fortune magazine ran a column, “While You Were Out,” by Stanley Bing with a built-in head, “$L,000-A-Barrel Crude.”
We’re not a killjoy, but it may not be good to ignore a subject that is tearing us apart already.
Of course, the oil topic is way beyond us, but all the media stuff we read and hear are telling us that “gawat” is here. “Gawat” (Pangasinan for famine). We need to confront gawat in the best or most graceful way we can without getting a heart attack.
In the Fortune article, the writer, also author of a book, Executricks, or How to Retire While You’re Still Working, observes, “Everybody seems afraid to discuss it, and I understand why, because frankly what we’re talking about there is the end of life on earth as we know it. But with oil conceivably blasting up to $200 a barrel sometime soon, another milestone suddenly sails into view.”
We hate to make anyone sad. In fact this is why we are writing this (forewarn is forearm!) because the solution to the gathering darkness, the forthcoming Armageddon seems beyond us. Current events are not even a help at all. Freak accidents after freak accidents are happening very day.
Hardly had we gotten over Cyclone Cosme than another lash of calamities floored us. When would this end? We cry to God.
The Fortune writer continues: “Volume on trains and buses will increase exponentially, with people hanging out windows and riding on bumpers the way they do it Mexico City. Obviously, there will be no cars that are not hybrids on the new remaining roads, but even those will be only for people who can afford $127-a-gallon gasoline or are willing to hold up the gas station not for its money, as we did in the old days, but for what comes out of the pumps.”
He further predicts: “The dollar will lose what little value it has left. The more agrarian needs of society will rusticate the landscape, and barter will once again be the primary economic force.”
“By 2035, a consortium of banks, corporations and what remains of the government will accept a tender offer from Saudi Arabia to acquire the US for $l5.50 per share plus all the oil we can drink. After a period of debate, most Americans will vote for the deal.”
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NOTES: As we go to press, incoming president Boy Rayos of the Rotary Club of Dagupan East couldn’t help praise Dagupan City police chief Borro Borromeo for the lightning arrest of some Budol-Budol gangs who have been inflicting harm on the community. Borro, an old Rotarian of Isabela in which he was a former board member, has just moved in to Rotary East.
Councilor Karlos Reyna, son of DWAD manager Ramon Reyna, doesn’t know ailing publisher Ace Estrada, but he readily sent assistance. Ditto with DPWH’s Fidel Ginez, Alfred Dawana and Manny Roy. For almost one week now, Ace has been confined at the RMC hospital. No one from his family has visited him yet. What’s his ailment? Publishing Czarina Aure Ragos opined, “baka gusto mag-asawa uli.” Joking aside, Ace is suffering from a plural disease which can’t be identified at the moment. Visit him before it’s too late.
(Readers may reach columnist at junmv@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)
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