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HE was a principal guest of the Philippine government earlier in the
day and President Arroyo was honored to have him at the palace for
bilateral talks. In the evening, he was unable to leave as
scheduled, having been refused by an international airline to board
its aircraft.
Continental Airline inspectors wanted to frisk
Palau President Tommy Remengsau Jr. in compliance with US security
rules. He refused, invoking protocol and dignity of office. The
airline staff stood on its rules and the visitor persisted.
Intercessions by Vice President Noli de Castro, who accompanied
President Remengsau at the airport, failed. The plane left Manila
without the Palauan president.
It’s not the first time security check clashed
with personal dignity or diplomatic protocol. The Remengsau episode
has had previous antecedents.
Senate President Franklin Drilon was asked to
take off his shoes at the San Francisco airport several years ago.
Sen. Loi Estrada was singled out for questioning at a US immigration
queue.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, a
frequent visitor to Manila, was frisked for explosives by Australian
airport security staff at Sydney airport while heading to
Afghanistan to visit New Zealand troops.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister Michael
Somare was told to remove his shoes for a search at the Brisbane
airport. He was transiting through Brisbane after attending a
meeting of regional leaders in New Zealand.
In 2005, US Assistant Secretary of State for
East Asia Christopher Hill was given a thorough body search at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport before boarding his PAL flight to
Thailand. His assistant and the US embassy political counselor in
Manila also went through the metal-detector test.
On the other hand, then-chief of staff Fidel
Ramos welcomed being frisked before boarding a domestic flight to
Mindanao. First daughter Luli Arroyo insisted on having her baggage
inspected at NAIA before taking off for the US.
What is a public official to do when required to
take off his shoes, have his suitcase inspected or asked to be
frisked? He could comply (the checks have tightened horrendously
after the 9/11 attacks), stay awhile, or take another airline. In
Remengsau’s case, he took off on a private plane chartered by
Malacañang. How much did that cost Filipino taxpayers?
Secretary Hill made light of the body search and
remarked: “The TSA (US Transportation Security Administration)
will be very happy. This means that security is really tight.”
Said Helen Clark: “I understand countries
taking strict security procedures. Having said that, it’s most
unusual to stop a head of government.”
A word to the graduates
FIRST, I promise to deliver a very short
message. Fifteen minutes, tops.
Second, I don’t want to be interrupted by cell
phone noise. You owe me that much courtesy.
Third, please make your applause at the end of
my address. You are free to walk out if you don’t agree with me or
if you get bored.
That said, I wish to congratulate each graduate,
your teachers and your parents.
Graduating from the elementary grades, going to
high school and finishing a university education is one of the
greatest achievements a Filipino could ever have. Read Sen. Mar
Roxas’s commencement speech on the yearly national dropout rate
and realize why you are among the luckiest sanamagan in this
country.
After graduating from college, what? Look for a
job? Work for a call center, start a business or stay longer with
your parents?
If you’re not doing any of these, you could do
community work, join an internship program (they have one in
Congress but none in Malacañang), or volunteer your time to a
reading or coaching class. Travel on a cheap budget. Consider
joining the Army.
Continue your learning by reading. Read
anything: newspapers, magazines, advertisements, and discover the
current use and misuse of language. Read the comics. You will learn
more from manga or Marvel comics than from the badly written
textbooks approved by the Department of Education.
Can you write a short application letter in
plain, correct English? Can you talk to a foreigner in clear,
understandable English and diction?
If you’re staying home for a while, can you
cook, iron, wash, drive or do basic repair? You have to be useful if
you continue to live off your parents’ charity.
You have plans to take up an M.A.? Anything is
better to being a MRS. at an early age. Sex is nice but, remember,
you’re not going to run out of boyfriends or girlfriends. Take
your time. Boys, please don’t ruin someone else’s life just to
relieve your tension. Girls, don’t give it away, or you’ll
regret it. If you have to give up chastity, at least don’t get
pregnant.
Learn a vocational or trade skill if you wish.
But don’t laugh off liberal education, as the voc-prep specialists
are wont to do. The humanities—the appreciation of culture and
civilizations—is the greatest education a university could
provide, not making money or topping the Bar.
End of speech. Now, look at each other and wish
your friend a very, very sincere good luck.
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