Saturday, November 17, 2012

My Presidents


I consider myself blessed. I have two presidents, and both of them are good people. After GW Bush and GM Arroyo, or course, just about anybody would be a step up. But both of my presidents are major steps up. Like big, like constructive. Like way up.

Let me tell you a little bit about my presidents.

First of all, they are alike and they are not alike.

Here's how they are alike

  • They both have leader's ego, which is confidence mixed with personable graciousness. Confidence helps project competence. Graciousness  inspires as it  brings others warmly into activities.

  • Both display a capable kind of leadership that impels them to appoint people to jobs who are good at those jobs. They see competence in others as a gift rather than a threat.

  • Both delegate well, giving their subordinates wide latitude to manage their departments, relying on them for advice, and making thoughtful executive decisions.

  • Both are honest men, bright, with values inclusive of God and family.

Here's how they are not alike

  • One is tall, the other not. One is resistant to sunburn, the other moreso than me. One is married, the other not.  One plays basketball, the other chases women.

  • One is gifted with Lincolnesque speech, issuing lofty words in the American king's English. The other is more like Mark Twain, writing and speaking the local dialect. One preaches with Baptist fire and brimstone bombast, the other natters like Auntie Mildred at the sewing bee.

  • One operates from a soaring, hopeful part of the heart, extolling the virtues of liberty and diversity and the American dream. The other operates from a somewhat tighter part of heart, extolling the victories of jailing people and imposing libel laws, with a lot of braggadocio to enhance one's standing.

  • Intellectually, President Obama is like a college professor, conceptual. President Aquino is like an engineer, detail-minded.

Here's why they are both remarkable leaders

  • History welcomed both with desperate need.

  • President Obama walked into a global economic collapse that threatened to be much worse than the 1929 depression.  He stopped the fall on the strength of his charisma and the confidence he inspired.

  • President Aquino was thrown into office by a people totally fed up with corruption and cheating. He has curtailed large ticket plunder.

  • Both subsequently faced an intense backlash from opponents.

  • President Obama bore the brunt of poisonously partisan Republican jealousy and anger. He was demeaned racially, slandered in terms of competence, and accused of being socialist and weak. Republicans went extreme, and they went nasty, and they went stubborn. He also faced the complaints of a broad population that was grossly less wealthy than the year before, many out of jobs.

  • President Aquino faced the wrath of the corrupt. Early on, old generals were rumored to want to organize a coup because the drill-down on unexplained wealth accumulation was applying too much heat. Young officers said no way. Other corrupt people are reportedly laying low simply until President Aquino's term ends. He approached the task like a hangman looking for clients. Those with something to hide got scared, got angry.

  • Both have persevered with important achievements.

  • Mr. Obama has steadied the economy. It was once one step from death's door and is now about ready to climb out of the sick bed. He passed groundbreaking health care legislation, something other presidents have tried to do for decades but failed. He established a new foundation for American global prestige and leadership by pulling methodically out of Iraq and Afghanistan and engaging in other global hot spots as a partner and leader rather than the unilateral boss. He has pursued the war on terrorism as a "cell to cell" war, using drones and a brave and brazen raid to kill Bin Laden. Al Qaeda has been systematically carved up.

  • Mr. Aquino has jailed predecessor Arroyo and dumped the Supreme Court Chief Justice into the trash bin of Arroyo's failed manipulations. He has steadied the economy by investing only in projects that are known to be clean of graft. He has re-written rules for bidding and is establishing tax systems that are efficient and fair. His ombudsman and justice secretary work diligently to hunt down the corrupt. He is investing in infrastructure, roads and airports and schools and highways in Manila. He has articulated a fine line of firmness with diplomacy in a tense face-off with China.

  • Both face risks to their legacies as great leaders.

  • President Obama must deal with partisan warfare that is intense and angry. He must carry the economic rebound through a minefield that Republicans have planted to make sure the President of the United States fails. So that they can win in the next election. It is a horrible form of democracy, a shame to those of us who are forced to watch, but that is more likely to be the downfall of Obama's legacy rather than the guns and rockets of Iran or other belligerent states.

  • President Aquino must show that he can do more than jail people and manage an economy that was sound when he took office. To have a profound legacy, he must do tough things rather than bow to the traditional pressures that hold the Philippines back, the narrow values of the Catholic Church and the trading of favors that keeps those in power rich and powerful. Right now, he is failing to do that. Two legacy-making bills, RH and FOI, have languished without his support while a constitutionally challenged, oppressive cybercrime bill was pushed forward. If that tenor continues, he will waste the people's faith in him and return the Philippines to its days of lackluster progress and moral decay. And he will be labeled the grandest disappointment in Presidential history. In on a wave of adoration, out on wave of same-o same-o.

  • Confidence levels

I am confident that President Obama will work diligently to protect American interests and build a safer, productive nation that is respected internationally. It will be a battle all the way because of Republican obstructionism. But he is a smart, pragmatic man. Confident. Right thinking. He'll do well.

With regard to President Aquino, I regret to say that I have turned pessimistic.  Two acts define my pessimism: (1) the President's eager support for an oppressive cybercrime law and his current pronouncement in favor of a "Right of Reply Bill", and (2) his failure to support FOI. It is clear that he has small vision, not big vision. Big vision is the idea that liberty energizes  and motivates a nation. It energizes and motivates pride, effort, investment, and productivity. But this big vision escapes President Aquino in favor of small-minded authoritarian controls. Withholding information by failing to push for FOI is one of those authoritarian controls, freezing out the good governance of transparency. He equates good governance with jailing people. Fine. Jail the crooks. But where is the uplift? Where is the Philippines soaring?

Mr. Aquino is approaching a breaking point, driven by the internet which allows people to watch what is going on carefully and prod government relentlessly. Mr. Aquino is feeling the heat. He complains about biased media frequently and his comments in favor of the Right of Reply Bill fairly reek with vengance against those villains in the media. But the media aren't biased. They accurately reflect the impatience of a capable and ambitious people who know their nation, particularly their Legislature, abetted by Executive, is under-performing.

Either President Aquino will recognize that the will of the people is for transparent government, freedom and a big nation, or he will be eaten alive, his legacy eroded by three more years of disappointment and criticism.

50 comments:

  1. Alike:
    1. Both were buoyed to prominence by forces of people, Barack by Netizens, Noynoy by street crusaders.

    2. Both are smokers, preaching that smoking is bad to your health. Barack stopped, PNoy is still coughing intermittently.

    Johnny Lin

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  2. Unless a big fish during GMA is put to jail, efforts of PNoy will be naught.

    Afraid, the current picture of PNoy is a cautious politician. Aside from FOI and Cybercrime bills, we are now seeing prominent people escaping scrutiny. Pacquiao tax case was discharged by DOJ, Nary a word from the Palace on Sotto's plagiarism, sleeping with Martial Law architect Johnny Enrile on launching his Memoir, reluctance to fire his non productive friends in his administration.

    Frankly, if his senatorial candidates do not capture the majority, his agenda his caput. His enemies will just ride with him in the next 3 years and wait for the incoming favorable person in their corners.

    Johnny Lin

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    1. Yes, cautious is a good description. It's like he came galloping in on a steed of high ideals and is now lounging under the old oak tree smoking and carping.

      Delete
  3. Disagree with your assessment that PNoy appointed competent people per se.
    Competent as friends, maybe but not professionally.

    Ochoa of Executive, Puno of DILG, Gutierrez of PDEA, Pangilinan from Bureau of Corrections, David of Immigration

    Johnny Lin

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    Replies
    1. I'll accept your characterization. I mainly was going on the basis of Robredo, Roxas, De Lima, Del Rosario, Abaya, Sereno, Padaca . . . all threads of intelligent, capable and good people. His coddling of friends is indeed a weakness, and goes along with "cautious".

      Delete
  4. 1. This is a good comparison to make because it shows the heights both leaders have achieved. Both are dreamers and have vision. Alas, for PNoy it also shows the depths he is likely to fall into.

    2. I am not too concerned about Obama. His instincts are correct, and he will do the right thing. He is mostly held back by the Republican lower house, the right-wing military hawks, and business people represented by Romney and Trump.

    3. PNoy’s instincts are worrisome as pointed out. There is good and there is bad. He has shown deftness but he remains a hostage to culture.

    4. I think PNoy believes he has to work within the constraints of the system. He should strip himself of that crippling notion. He has huge capital in popular support and he should use that support to great effect.

    5. The Philippines is mental ward that needs a great physician. The Judiciary was sick and is hopefully now on the mend. The Legislature, which helped heal the Judiciary, is now much sicker and is likely to be for the rest of PNoy’s term. The Executive is catching the cough and must refocus to regain its health.

    6. Has PNoy lost touch? He should marry or cohabit. Forget the Church. The Australian Prime Minister is an atheist and lives out of wedlock. The enormous support that Michelle gives to Barack cannot be underestimated not only in terms of the basic necessities of sex, affection, love, food and clothing but also as a source of vigor and strength, a sounding board and a validator of intuition and instincts.

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    1. ". . . remains a hostage to culture." Isn't that the trugh? I wish he would go off on one of his retreats and simply meditate on the notion that he ought to be a leader, independent, bold and free.

      Number 6 is the question, and I ask it, and he keeps coming up short. The latest is his advocacy of "Right of Reply" legislation. As if that is what is needed to build a great Philippines.

      I agree. President Obama is capable and will be better than anyone at negotiating the future minefields, especially if he leans on Bill Clinton as his senior statemsan advisor. Talk about two exceptional people . . . especially since we got the definition of "is" out of the way . . .

      Delete
  5. Obama tends to project the image of pro-poor or pro-minority or pro-middle class, and quite successful at that, while Pnoy is pro-rich and pro- businessman, and nothing is moving (look at PPP). At least to me.

    DocB

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  6. With the kind of problems we have, I don't think a "cautious" president will cut it. The times call for an "asshole" pro-poor president. A hybrid of Duterte and Robredo.

    DocB

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  7. Joe

    Put this comment filed for your future reference.

    If Aquino candidates including the 3 independents will not capture at least 9 senate seats, his popularity will freefall by the end of 2013.

    Johnny Lin

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    Replies
    1. Johnny,

      Who do you think is making the better moves UNA or Pnoy's senatorial bets?

      DocB

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  8. With the tremendous political capital Pnoy has accumulated (as verified by successive SWS surveys) , I am surprised why he has held back on game changing issues like FOI, RH, etc.

    If I were in his place, I'd install a "political capital meter" in the office and ask my advisers- the ones who can cut through the BS - to move it up or down as they see it throughout his term. Then use that as one factor in making big decisions.

    If there is enough to spend in the meter, then spend.

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    Replies
    1. Indeed, you echo my dismay. It is like he went small instead of thinking and acting big.

      Delete
  9. I am also predicting that if Aquino will not stop smoking, his health will be his greatest enemy before 2014. When that happens it will be free for all among his current allies.

    His paroxysmal coughing points to serious laryngeal area cigarette related problem. instead of focusing studies on his lower respiratory tract he should have undergone thorough laryngoscope exam if not performed yet.

    Johnny Lin

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  10. What can one who has a "siege mentality" ever do? Pnoy lost it and failed to capitalize on the "power of symbols" through the EDSA 1 spirit.

    DocB

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    Replies
    1. He has not failed yet, but he may be failing. If he thinks criticism is now tough, wait until the whole nation wakes up to his sloth.

      Delete
  11. One more similarity. Powerful battle cries at the start. “Yes we can” at the brink of a serious recession. “Wala wang wang” when not only the traffic was coming to a standstill because too many thought to be entitled to a special treatment, also the whole society was in danger because of this attitude. Both battle cries were intuitively understood by large groups of people and initiated real change. And creating too high expectations?

    Obama nor Pnoy did fully realise the power (=ability to change behaviour) of a genuine battle cry. For Pnoy the follow-up “Corona” did not have the same latitude, nor the linearity of its message. Was it corruption in the judiciary? Faulty SALN’s? Character of judges? The leading by example was missing. Unfortunately Robredo’s dead was needed to proof that walk the talk still existed. Followers watch your feet, not your mouth (unless you smoke while promoting the Sin tax).

    For both the surprising freshness is gone. They should dare again to step out of the politics as usual. They still have a lot of goodwill capital and they should dare to use it to call the bluff of their opponents. Pnoy could do this with the RH bill, Sin tax, FOI... if they keep this goodwill capital in their pockets, people will be very suspicious and suspect ill motives.

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    1. Many Americans felt Obama went flat, but I don't know what they expected. Employment up? You can't fix a structural problem in a year or two. You can't put trillions in wealth back. I rather think his ability to keep pushing on the economy, stay out of Libya and Syria, and pivot to Asia are big "achievements" that draw little attention. I think he is still fresh, and, of the two, is more likely to call a bluff. More likely to do something profoundly constructive.

      Delete
  12. I generally agree with your observations about President Aquino, but I'm not as pessimistic. In principle, he has repeatedly said he is not against FOI; I think he's just not willing to risk everything for it yet- perhaps for a reason. He is, as you said, an engineer- very methodical. As for his support for right-to-reply and cybercrime law, these, I think, are a matter of lapse in judgment brought about by his unfortunate persecution complex (he thinks the media hates him, which is bullshit-- he's been the most praised president since his mother!). I'm still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and a chance to prove that he has what it takes to be an epochal president. My fear, however, is that he seems to lack strategic thinking. For instance, six years is too short for a good president (look at President Ramos), so he should be building up a successor by now.

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    1. I hope your optimism proves to be the real case. I laughed about your "lacks strategic thinking" remark. Is there anyone in the Philippines who DOES think strategically. It seems like such a reactive kind of place.

      Big ball, little ball, Mr. Aquino is playing little.

      Successor probablilities: (1) Roxas 75%, (2) Abaya 40%. I've already declared for Abaya. See, I agree with you, he should be thinking about that now. Abaya needs to pull some rabbits out of DOT's hat real quick like

      Delete
    2. Failing to groom a successor was also one of President Ramos's mistake. He was arguably the best post-Edsa president (I won't count PNoy yet, since his term is not yet up), but he was followed by an Estrada. 'nuff said.

      Delete
  13. Another similarity: Both have detractors who live in what Jon Stewart calls bullshit mountains.

    The Republican and religious right live in a bullshit mountain that's socialist and led by a Muslim who was born in Kenya.

    The Get Real crowd, militant leftists, and the anti-yellow ilks like Olivares, Tiglao, and Doronilla live in a bullshit mountain that's the laughing stock of the world, where the economy is going to the dogs, and whose leader is a retarded psychotic whose sole purpose in life is to keep his parents' hacienda.

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    1. Jon Stwart for President. "Bullshit mountain", that's good. Limbaugh is chief troll on the right wing mountain, Michael Moore on the left wing mountain. Yes, there are a lot of mountain people hereabouts, too.

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  14. 1. I don't think Obama has gone flat.

    2. In the Philippines, the analogy of Bullshit Mountains is not a fantasy. It's real, very real. In America there are many good people in the establishment and many sane voices that keep the nation in balance.

    3. In the Philippines, you can probably count the good guys on the fingers of one hand, if any, in each of the establishment sectors: the senate, the HOR, the Supreme Court, in the LGUs, the media, the blogosphere, etc. The bullshit is overwhelming. Look at Sotto. The man is a hydra: cut off one head and he grows two in place. And Enrile and the rest of them are shapeshifters: they not only change colors and profiles but their entire slimy forms. Compared to them, Romney is a rank amateur.

    4. What did Enrile say to that registrar? "Arrange your life. Do not play politics." Nobody sees the irony of this, that he should be directing those very words at himself. The man is a serial Judas. First he betrayed the people, then Marcos, then Cory, then Corona, and now Sotto.

    4. I think the Philippines, like China, will progress economically, but the inequalities and disparities will continue. The dominancy, mendicancy, sycophancy will continue. I am struck by the comments of concern for JoeAm's safety some blogs ago. No one seems to be surprised by the horrendousness of that fact that concern should be expressed at all. Fear has become such an integral fabric of our lives.

    5. The abnormal has become the norm. Just like in the cuckoo's nest.

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    1. And that is exactly why President Aquino's apparent drift to "cautious" rather than assertively going after a transparent, modern Philippines is so dismaying. At least to me. It is so clear what has to be done to make the Philippines a big nation, yet he stays small. And he criticizes those who might criticize because we dream big as "bad people" who don't understand.

      In like a lion, out like a lamb . . . that may be his legacy. And the Philippines will remain as you have described it.

      Delete
    2. #4 I understand the fear. Last week I was in a scam where a trafic officer said I hit him, we went to his pally doctor, then the police and at the end I had to pay his X-rays. When I phoned my layer, he told me: "It's more fun in the Philippines, but it costs some money". I went home with a twisted smile. Indeed, opposite fron China it is more fun in the Philippines, I don't know exactly what it is, but it should be safeguarded. Most of what we are hoping for could be found in other countries, so why aren't we moving?

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    3. Dominancy. Mendicancy. Sycophancy. Edgar just about made things clearer here. In short, we're screwed. The trick is how to keep one's sense of humor...

      DocB

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    4. Ah, Coco, that's sad.

      DocB, If you're at a distance - like Mariano - you can laugh freely. If you're there, you can laugh at the comedians at the top. Even though it hurts. I keep thinking, is it as bad as we or I think it is? Other countries are in the same boat or are in worst straits. And a lot - Afghans, Sri Lankans, Iranians - brave the seas in creaky boats to come to Australia. Filipinos are not doing that. So the country is not Hell; it's more like purgatory, a place of temporary punishment and yet also a promise of heaven. Happiness is easy to come by - or buy. (Hah, I'm becoming like Mariano in my spelling.) Let's cross our fingers and hope that Johnny's prognostication of at least 9 senatorial wins for the Liberals comes to fruition.

      Delete
  15. Both Obama and PNoy have lived through early adversity.

    Obama did not have a relationship with his father growing up. His parents divorced when he was two. His father returned to Kenya when he was 3. Also at age 3, his mother remarried and brought him with her to live in Indonesia with his stepfather a year after. At age 10, he was sent back to live with his grandparents in Hawaii, after some disturbing events in Indonesia caused his mother to fear for his life. Also at 10, he saw his father again after their long separation. At 21, the father died in a car accident.

    Noynoy had his father taken away from him when he was 12, who was put in jail by Marcos for 7 years. At 23, his father was assassinated, the final moments captured on film and played over and over again in both local and international media. Then at 27, he survived an attempt on his own life. Three of his security escorts were killed in the attack. He himself got hit by five bullets, one of which is still embedded in his neck.

    Both Obama's and Noynoy's early circumstances are so far from what anyone would consider an ideal childhood. And both deserve admiration for achieving what they have achieved in life, more so because of the particular challenges they have had to hurdle to get to where they are.

    But Noynoy's more traumatic and harrowing experiences in childhood and early adulthood are probably the more challenging, even more damaging to any one's sense of well being. Maybe it explains the persecution complex. Maybe it explains the defensive stance when attacked. Maybe it explains the cautiousness. Maybe in his mind he is still dodging bullets. Maybe he still thinks the world is unsafe and dangerous and that he needs to be on guard and protect himself.

    Maybe Noynoy is like the Jungian archetypal hero going through the "ordeal" through his presidency to finally conquer the inner demons that are holding him back. Maybe this is the part of the journey where he gets to face his greatest fears, gains insight into and summons up the inner strength and power that leads to his triumph.

    Maybe JoeAm and his Society of Honor play the part of the herald whose role it is to bring the piece of information that upsets the hero's sleepy equilibrium and sets him or pushes him further on his journey. Maybe the herald's latest challenge leads to a new adventure if the hero heeds the call.

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    1. Nice! Maybe you have a point. Our inner child is very dominant at times when we don't know they are controlling us subconsciously. I hope and pray that pnoy will reach to a point of eureka moment on how to deal with his wounded past, that he still has the capacity to lord it over since the nation is at hand in every action and decision he will make.

      Im still hopeful.

      Delete
  16. Other points-Pnoy Catholic, Obama Born-again. Pnoy pistol shooting, Obama basketball shooting. Obama gets some from Michelle, Pnoy gets some from...

    DocB

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    1. DocB, In the Campbellian hero myth, women are seen as temptresses or as a goddess. Unfortunately for PNoy, the mother was the goddess, and no woman has measured up to her. PNoy should lower his sights. To find a soul-mate with 90 - 99% compatibility is not impossible, but rare. I think he does find beauty, but does not find character-as-intelligence on closer examination. He should know that character, in a woman, is right intuition. No woman will equal his political and non-political nous at this stage. He won't find a Michelle or Hillary, so he should settle for a Duchess of Cambridge or even a Duchess of Cornwall. He should trust his own intuition, stop his mind from dictating his heart. Surely in a country of beauty queens, mail-order brides and knowledgeable female psychologists, there are suitable demi-goddesses...

      (I hope I don't get crucified for this post. Har! Har! Har!)

      Delete
    2. Crucified? Nay, praised!

      Perhaps we could do an advice to the lovelorn column here on The Society. You know, "Dear Edgar" . . . hawr hawr hawr

      Delete
    3. FYI. There was a popular radio/TV program called "Dear Kuya Eddie". Kuya means elder brother.

      Delete
    4. Ed,

      Dear Kuya Eddie was short for a cuckolded husband working in Saudi. Long time ago that was.

      DocB

      Delete
  17. Edgar is right again. I live here and it really feels like purgatory. Some people are praying for me and I'm not even dead yet. Surreallistic.

    DocB

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    1. The son of a cousin of mine once spent 11 year in the Philippines in an outlying island doing missionary work. Well, his wife was the missionary and he helped. When I told him I was going to retire in the Philippines, he sat up, his eyes went wide, and he exclaimed "Oh, my God!"

      Delete
  18. Joe,


    I don't know why I cannot like PNoy. Maybe he's too much of a credit-grabber?

    If you're referring to the projects he recently inaugurated, those infra projects he's supposedly "investing" in were approved during his predecessor's time. Wait 'til they open that extension of the SCTEX -- the TPLEX. You can dig deeper and check who earned there.

    Let's call a spade a spade and PNoy an opportunistic elitist. I'll call him that based on how he's been acting. He's showing too much "loving his own." That's why there's no FOI and RH. He does not want to be remembered by his kind as the man who sent them all to hell.

    I guess I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. Maybe I'll call him savior of the universe tomorrow.

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    Replies
    1. Brianitus, Epal is the uso term for credit-grabber. Pnoy is never subtle. Too cautious Pnoy's not get anything done. They have to get hold of Palparan and the Reyes brothers fast. Even the Amman scammers. Otherwise, they're headless chickens. Post-Corona momentum just about all used up. Robredo feels like eons ago.

      DocB

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  19. Cha,

    1. People who survive a near-death experience lose their fear of death and become more courageous?

    2. The analogy to the Jungian/Campbellian hero's journey into hell is fitting. There are other elements in parallel as well:

    2.1 PNoy's initial reluctance as the hero
    2.2 Corona as the threshold guardian, the first obstacle
    2.3 Enrile and assorted politicians as shapeshifters
    2.4 I like JoeAm and the Society as heralds. Also mentor?
    2.5 GMA as the shadow, representative of corruption
    2.6 Sotto as the trickster

    3. So the stage is set, the dramatis personae complete, the blockbuster is in the making. We can only hope it ends in triumph.

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    1. Ed,

      1. Either that or post traumatic stress disorder :(

      2. Maybe he also needs a love unterest noh? Best shapeshifter at this point?

      3. Oh please yes! Keep that pen away from Shakespeare, i dont't think we'd like what he might do with this story.

      Delete
  20. Cha, blogger links to individual comments seem not to be working so I'll comment here.

    Your write-up is an eye-opener for sure. I was not even aware that President Aquino had been shot. And certainly that could contribute to the sense that people "out there" are not to be trusted. I'm hoping that Edgar's number 3 becomes true, and that the President will turn serious about establishing a legacy for himself and his family and the Philippines. Not his buddies.

    DocB. Comedian today.

    Brianitus, yes, actually, you have been pretty consistent in your wariness. I've only recently drifted that way.

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    1. Joe,

      The buddies will go when he finds himself a good wife. i should know :)

      Delete
    2. Yes, for sure. One good wife easily supplants any number of buddies.

      Delete
  21. Pnoy gets a wife. Good or bad? Being single was one reason I voted for him. The wife changes the equation. Look at Erap. He'll be saddled by wife's relatives wanting a piece of the action. There is no Michelle or Hilary hereabouts. Whoppee he can have anytime. Pnoy himself at one point said it was better for him to be single while president so he won't have to think about his wife or kids when making those tough calls.

    DocB

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  22. Pnoy should get a wife then he'll know how it feels to get shot at everyday.


    ReplyDelete

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