The first SONA

Today is the first state of the nation address or SONA of President Noynoy Aquino. Unlike the past regimes, today is neither a national nor a special holiday. Well there’s exception to this since it is an official holiday in the Commonwealth and Batasan areas where the location of SONA will be held.
I am just appalled to see that there are packs of protesters around the area. It’s still a few days shy to his first month of term yet there are already people showing their sentiments against P-Noy’s leadership.
My two cents is, give the man a chance! He needs some support.

The sudden U turn, obeying the traffic rules...are these safe for P-Noy?

I learned on the news that right after attending the street party organized for him, President Noynoy Aquino made an unplanned pit stop at his favourite restaurant to have quick bite. Instead of turning right going to Time Street where he resides, his car headed straight to the next U-turn slot to get a tummy filler.
The video showed some of his escorts have made the right turn meaning they might be unaware of the plan.
While the media are all eyes on him, I do not think this move, although it makes him more human, is a brilliant move as it might jeopardize his security.
Also, in the first two days of his President duty, he took the usual traffic route, going with the traffic law stopping on red light signals. This made his Presidential Security Group or PSG extra jumpy as they opened their escort cars’ doors while on red light.
The traffic took toll on him as Commander-in-chief was 40 minutes late for his military honor appointment.
While I find it admirable some say that P-Noy is becoming a stubborn, not allowing himself to occupy the Malacanang Palace or the house they used to stay in Arelegui while her mother was still the president.
I hope that he will do something about the horrible traffic so that no one has to do the counter flow or use the wang-wang.

P-Noy: new hope or just one of them?

I came from the PM shift the other night. While on the bus on my way home, the Tv on board was showing live telecast of the then president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on his way to take his oath as the new and the 15th president of the Philippines.

I passed through Time Street where he’ll be coming from and the feed showed that he is leaving his home.

I got excited. I thought he’ll be passing by Espana Bouleverd so I waited on the sidewalk in the corner of Espana blvd and Vicente Cruz St. Many people are also waiting for him. It took me 5 red light cycles before I gave up and headed home.

As I reached home, the “show” has jsut started with Charice Pempengco singing the National Anthem. Followed by so many musical numbers. I told to myself, am I watching a Sunday variety show? This is so showbiz!

It just came clear to me through the interview with historian Manuel Quezon III that according to tradition, the incoming president should take his oath at exactly 12:00 in the afternoon. It so happened that Noynoy came in too early that they had to fill in idle time to entertain everyone until the clock hits 12 noon.

Anyhow, with the help of my nieces, I was able to fight the calling of my bed and I was able to hear some of Noynoy’s platform which according to him is based on the people’s mandate.

I have little knowledge about the economics so I leave that part to the experts. All I care about is that he promised to focus on giving jobs to everyone so that no one has to leave the country and another is that he will not allow abusive officials to be the cause of traffic jam by prohibiting counter flow (of the traffic) and the use of wang-wang or the emergency vehicle alarm just to get ahead with the traffic flow.

The stage is now yours P-Noy, it is up to you to entertain and amuse or amaze us. Have it your way.