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WHEN we get the same information over and again we start believing
it. Like the regular surveys (scientific kuno) that tell us how
unpopular President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is. So the people who
line up to greet her and have their photos taken with her must have
been mobilized or paid to do so, right?
I had a rare chance to join President Arroyo on
some of her official activities during Holy Week and observe the
reaction of the ordinary people who, according to the surveys, hate
the President so much. Well, in the Baguio City public market the
reception was a near-stampede. People were pushing each other—and
us, the official party—to get a glimpse of the President. I was
pushed so hard that I almost fell, that’s when I decided to get
out of the crowd. In the church, children approached her—and not
the priest—to be blessed. People were pushing eagerly towards the
President to have their photo taken together with her.
One image in particular that I can’t forget
was that of a middle-aged woman. She was standing along the road
somewhere in La Trinidad as the President’s convoy passed by. The
woman was probably waiting for her jeepney ride. She looked tired
and haggard. All of a sudden her face lighted up in a big smile as
she recognized the President who, with grandchild Mika, was waving
and greeting “Happy Easter” from the vehicle.
Among the official activities of President
Arroyo were the launching of processed vegetable products and the
official naming of a new potato variety, projects of the Benguet
State University in La Trinidad, Benguet. The potato—named Gloria
Kamaptengan—is being developed for organic potato production. This
means that the farmer can expect a good return on his investment.
Potatoes are highly nutritious and can be cooked in a variety of
ways—boiled, fried, taken cold (after having been boiled) with
mayonnaise and salt on an open sandwich, baked, boiled and mashed,
and many more!
From Gloria Kamaptengan, which means “the best
of all,” to another hot potato: Jovito Palparan, Jr. who despite
his retirement 18 months ago remains controversial and, yes, a hot
potato. Remember the fuss over the alleged “sighting” of the
retired general in Davao City and the report that he had been hired
by House Speaker Nograles? The retired general attended the turnover
ceremony at his former command, the 7th Infantry Division, at Fort
Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva City. Maj. General Juanito Gomez,
who replaced Gen. Palparan as commanding general of the division,
retired last March 24. Gen. Gomez gained national fame when his work
in Bohol was acknowledged by President Arroyo in one of her State of
the Nation addresses. General Gomez was known for his involvement in
promoting organic agriculture.
General Gomez’ friends had traveled far to be
with him on his retirement day. Palparan was just one of them. He is
doing well. He is working and earning, amused that some people are
so afraid of him. Palparan is concerned, however, with the
anti-insurgency campaign of the military which according to him
isn’t aggressive enough.
A soldier was killed by a sniper in the
hinterlands of San Jorge, Western Samar, last Holy Thursday. The NPA
has long been enjoying the protection of friendly local government
officials in this town. The list of soldiers killed or wounded in
Western Samar is long and getting longer every month. Of course,
some of the people and institutions that are loudest about their
supposed concern about human rights in this country are quite silent
about landmines that blow up our soldiers. I wonder if this
selective concern for human life has the same roots as the
information that Mrs. Arroyo is universally disliked. The Cebuanos
didn’t buy Jun Lozada’s tale hook, line and sinker. They wanted
to look and listen first, with their own eyes and their own ears,
before forming an opinion. But many among our so-called enlightened
decision makers never take the time to leave their pedestals and
mingle with the flock, use their eyes, ears and hearts to notice the
nuances. Our world isn’t black and white as some would have it.
Mrs. Arroyo may not be the most popular president we’ve had, but
that doesn’t make her hated by the entire nation.
mlatimes@gmail.com
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