Noynoy’s date with destiny

a news about Noynoy's presidential bid decision


Gary Olivar, the former FQS firebrand who now functions as one of President Gloria Arroyo’s spokesmen, says Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd has to “establish his identity and record” before he contemplates running for the presidency.

Gabby Claudio, Mrs. Arroyo’s political affairs adviser, says Noynoy’s presidential bid would “only complicate matters for the opposition.”

That kind of disparagement from Malacañang can only mean one thing—the ruling coalition is scared to death by the prospect of yet another Aquino aspiring for the highest political office in the land.

Palace mouthpieces have never before sunk so low when the administration was confronted by political challenges to its bid to remain in power beyond 2010.

They have held their scornful tongues in the face of the possible return to power of former President Joseph Estrada—revealing perhaps their confidence that the Arroyo-packed Supreme Court would never allow it.

They have not even derided the rise of Manny Villar in the opinion polls although not a few quarters—outside the Palace, of course—have serious doubts about the “oppositionist” credentials of the former Senate president.

But soon after agitation for Noynoy’s presidential candidacy started spreading like wildfire, the ruling coalition’s talking heads began hauling out buckets of scorn to heap on the senator from Tarlac.

Far from complicating matters for the opposition, Noynoy’s candidacy now looms as the sharpest instrument for consolidating the various formations trying to demolish the seemingly monolithic Lakas-Kampi CMD.

The decision Tuesday of Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas 2nd to withdraw from the presidential race has been hailed as a magnificent and selfless act—as well it should. He has, after all, already invested so much in his candidacy.

But magnificent and selfless as his decision was, Roxas also realized that he had to bow to pressure from, not just within his own faction of the Liberal Party, but also the many other sectors beyond. Faced with this inescapable reality, he realized—manfully—that he had to step aside.

It was a decision that was obviously painful to Roxas and those around him but not a few observers agree that his display of pragmatism could serve him well, if not in the immediate future, then certainly in the long run.

The call for Noynoy to run is a genuine groundswell, which even the most jaded politicos can ignore only at great risk to their careers.

It is a spontaneous, popular response to the cynicism and fakery that now mark Philippine politics. It is a sign that despite decades of treachery by and disenchantment with their political leaders, many Filipinos continue to aspire for clean, honest and uncompro-mised leadership.

Given the Filipinos’ experience with democracy, other nations would probably have resorted to more draconian measures. Where representative government fails to live up to its promises, the siren song of authoritarianism or totalitarianism sounds tempting indeed.

Even now a number of us continue to be tempted by the promises of would-be liberators and self-styled Messiahs. Thankfully, such temptations are quick to pass—but for how much longer?

The spontaneous agitation for Noynoy’s presidential bid is certainly rooted in the deep emotional attachment that the nation has for his parents. However, it would be a mistake to measure the viability of his candidacy only in terms of the outpouring of public affection during last month’s wake and burial of President Cory Aquino as well as the similarly massive demonstration of sympathy during the funeral of the assassinated Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in 1983.

The call for his candidacy has outgrown Noynoy himself—and even his much loved parents. No matter what recent surveys say, it shows the general disillusionment and distrust with the other politicians who have already launched their presidential bids.

None of the aspirants has managed to capture the imagination of voters—not even those bets whose survey ratings have been climbing and whose support comes from, even at best, less than a quarter of the voting population.

As this was being written Wednesday noon, the media were awaiting Noynoy’s response to Roxas’s withdrawal. At this point, his candidacy is not yet a certainty.

Would that Noynoy not miss his date with destiny.

Constantino exhibit

Visual artist Marika B. Constantino is set to launch POSTURA, her second solo exhibition, at the Boston Gallery in Cubao, Quezon City, on September 12.

A pre-exhibition review reads: “In POSTURA, the artist discloses her sentiments and predilections through an interrelated assortment of stylized figurations depicting awareness, desire and empowerment. Parts of a whole, close-ups, and relational pieces are unlocked for us to interpret visually, emotionally and mentally. Her art works show an unwavering balance of courage and vulnerability, surrender and dignity. With subtle metallic tonal values reminiscent of a sunrise paving the way for the break of dawn or vibrant jewel hues that blaze before twilight, Constantino uses her evolving biomorphic mosaic to express her own life’s journey in the here and now.

“Through built-up paint in flowing undulations, the palpable sensuality of her paintings is experienced. The raised patterns and relief, which the artist forms in her compositions, entice the viewer to follow the nooks, crannies, vines and blooms of visual metaphors. Constantino’s evocative titles further enhance the exhibit’s poetic visual narrative.”


see more from here http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/sept/04/yehey/opinion/20090904opi2.html