A Review of the 5th SONA 2020
I wrote a review of the 5th SONA of former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino (for compliance purposes when I was in college). I mentioned president Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte in that review to make it relevant in today's issues, so I decided to create
a review of his 5th SONA too.
Introduction
July 27, 2020, 4:00 P. M. was the schedule of the State of the Nation Address to be held at the Batasan Complex. Many netizens are against the decision of the executive branch to conduct this event amidst the pandemic ( COVID-19 ). Some said they should focus on solving the issues brought by the pandemic including the LSIs crowding at Rizal Memorial Complex waiting for their free ride back to their provinces. (Before this was posted, the LSIs were on their way to their provinces.)
While reading the comments of the netizens, phrases are floating in my head like, " What's wrong with conducting a SONA amidst a pandemic? Are the (outdoor) rallies better than the SONA? The SONA might be like a father's sermon. I can't wait to hear what the President will say. " My excitement led me to set my alarm not to miss it.
The beginning of the SONA
My alarm rang, so I hurried to the sala and switched on the TV.
For the first time (I guess) the president came on time. I missed the red carpet walk because I did some chores while waiting for that hour.
The national anthem was sung by different individuals of different ages and all of a sudden, I felt something in my heart. I was touched because I love my country and my kababayans (specifically the younger generations - younger than millennials or Gen Z). I still believe in the saying, "Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng ating bayan." With proper guidance of good people, the younger generations can make our country become a very progressive nation.
I think this is also the stand of the president of the Philippines so he pushed free education even if many were against it because of budget constraints. Thanks to this project many of the poorest of the poor who are determined to be educated in the state universities and become professionals were able to reach their aim. I am a product of a state university (MSU - Marawi). I graduated before that program became a law, but my expenses every enrollment each semester never reached Php 1, 000. 00 (excluding my first year in the university, departmental and other fees) because of "Tuition Privilege" (T. P.).
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| A copy of one of the receipts I kept to remember my college days. |
MSUans who are not scholars, but with good grades can enjoy that privilege (I'm not certain about this, but that's what I've heard from a credible source).
Going back to the SONA, I am not sure what rating I'll give if someone will ask me about it. I enjoyed the SONA, unfortunately, I did not understand much of what the president said because a heavy rain poured. What I am certain is that I trust him, and I will do my best to help in my own way in attaining a progressive nation where all can benefit.
As some scientists said, everything in this world is connected. We cannot be selfish because an action of one can affect us all. The effect may not be felt on the time the action was done, but the time will come, and we may never realize that it was because of that one action.
The SONA is not as professional as the SONA of many presidents. Curses, ad libs, insults (?) and threats were not avoided, but I am bored with the usual ways (especially the reporting of what was done and their plans because detailed info about those can be found on different websites), so I am not disappointed with how he delivered his statements. I avoid judging anyone by how they speak. The story of the person is the most important thing to me. This is a democratic country, and freedom of expression is highly valued by many individuals, so it would be an irony if people will criticize the way he delivered his speech.
The SONA ended at around 5:40 P. M. (if I saw the time clearly). I think nobody realized it was the end of his speech until he said, "I'm through" (if I heard it right). Honestly, I laughed out loud as I heard that phrase (and saw how the people in the complex reacted). I know many are against his jokes especially in the midst of the crises, but people have different coping mechanisms. As they said, " Laughter is the best medicine."
The crises brought by the pandemic are serious matters, but with a positive mindset, they can be handled better. The pandemic is depressing, so some organizations are promoting #WorkHappy.
Death is inevitable. Failures can happen often because not all plans work well especially when the people who we believe will do their jobs are not cooperating, but let's avoid blame game.
It is difficult to find solutions to problems where many external factors must be considered. It is more difficult to follow through on a plan because of these external factors especially when their behaviors are opposite than what the planners predicted.
Hopefully, those who have not accepted their defeat will realize the cliché, "life is a cycle" and they must find ways to cope up without blaming anyone, and help instead of hate. This is not the time to be divided. This is our time to show to the world that we are a strong nation with people uniting to combat the worldwide problems we are facing.
May we become a good example to the future generations and create a new history where nobody's left behind.
Let us work together to become a great nation. We can do this "mga kababayan".
P. S. I like his previous SONAs compared to the 5th. I prefer authentic than scripted.
