We live through a passing series of events: eagerly anticipated, fulfillingly experienced, then critically assessed afterwards before we move on.
Now that the official results of the midterm elections have been announced, our win-some-lose-some anticipations in last week’s Bystandering have turned out surprisingly for some like me. I am happy for those in my list who won, sad for those who did not make it. In this connection, The Freeman columnist Juanito Jabat echoes my personal feeling when he wrote, “Some senatorial aspirants I had hoped would win because I kow they got what it takes to be a member of the Senate, failed to make it: Dick Gordon, Jun Magsaysay, Migz Zubiri (and) Risa Hontiveros.”
We do wonder, really, how some candidates like them we considered accomplished and experienced, had been voted out in favor of new and younger, perhaps more daring and idealistically oriented, many of them newcomers on the political scene. However, I find some among them to be hopefully promising, and wish them good luck.
In this connection, I must confess admiration for someone I have always respected, Talisay City mayoral candidate Eduardo Gullas, for his gracious early-on post-election conceding to, and congratulating proclaimed Mayor Jose Delos Reyes.
And now, in over a week from today, June 3rd or June 10th, depending on the schedules of public and private schools, classes will open in the country. Unfortunately, this late a number of schools are not completely ready to handle the influx of more students this year. Not only because the country is still caught up in concerns following the midterm elections but also due to recent calamities, including fires, typhoons and floods, and the unrest in Mindanao, among others. Thankfully, civic movements, aided by community-concerned private and commercial organizations are helping with the current Brigada Eskwela movement in cleaning, repairing, refurbishing and re-furnishing schools, mostly public ones.
Add to these and the influx of more students the raised tuition fees, now approved for a number of private schools. Also the just approved K to 12 curriculum, necessitating additional training and orientation of teachers in this new system, as well as the usual need for more competent teachers.
While we are involved with the bringing up of our youth, media this week reported the eventual apprehension of problematic young Joavan Fernandez and the parental travails his father, outgoing Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez. Unhappily, Joavan has been involved in a number of misdemeanors from which he has evaded apprehension, until this time. This is a tragic son-father development that continues to unfold.
And now, for the country’s international relations, particularly recently with Taiwan. Reports have it that the country and Taiwan are seeking to ease tension in a cooperative probe over the killing two weeks ago of a Taiwanese fisherman by Philippine coast guards. The President says the National Bureau of Investigation has just wrapped up its probe on the matter, except for an examination of the bullet-riddled Taiwanese boat involved in the incident. The President said “he was grateful to Taiwanese leaders for appealing to their people to stop attacks on Filipinos in Taiwan.”
Now, from latest press reports yestereday, we learn that Taipei has approved Manila’s request to send investigators to Taipei to examine evidence and interview witnesses in the May 9th shooting. Thank goodness for this latest development that has led to the easing of our tensions with our next-door neighbor nation. While for their part, Taiwanese officials have asked their people to protect Filipinos there who have been targeted by angry Taiwanese in retaliation.
On environmental calamities, early this week, a mini-tornado was reported in Maslog, Danao City, and in the States, another tornado in Texas, worrying me at first, since my elder daughter lives in Texas. But the tornado struck in southern Texas, away from where she lives.
But those were nothing compared to the devastating tornado that hit Oklahoma, a state north of Texas. The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that “a giant tornado, about two kilometers wide has killed at least 91 people, 20 of them children as it tore across parts of Oklahoma City and its suburbs Monday afternoon, flattening homes, flnging cars through the air and crushing at least two schools.” I also saw this frightening spectacle on international television. I was alarmed for a former University of the Philippines Cebu student of mine, Raymund Canoy who taught in a university there. But when I called his mother, Letty Canoy, fellow Zonta I member and Cebu Council Girl Scout Board member, I thankfully learned that Raymund and his wife are now in Germany.
Meanwhile, let me put off until next week my report on our latest monthly meeting of our Zonta Club of Cebu I.
Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday when we commemorated the descent of the Holy Spirit in tongues of fire over the heads of the Apostles gathered in the Upper Room, as they recalled Christ’s Ascension and his promise that He would send them the Holy Spirit for them to continue their apostolic evangelization. Then last Wednesday, the 22nd was the Feast of St. Rita of Cascia, and today, the 24th, is that of Mary, Help of Chrixtians.
Till next week, then. As always, may God continue to bless us, one and all!