‘Talk about the weather’

Netnet Camomot .

IN January 2001, the then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo replaced ousted President Erap Estrada, and on July 23, 2018, she replaced Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez as House Speaker, both through some turbulence in the political arena. Is she vying for the title of Ms. Panakip-butas?

Still, panakip-butas or not, the positions she ended up with are way up there in Pinas’ political hierarchy, despite “Hello, Garci,” and she’s now savoring the perks of having the last laugh. Bwahahaha.

Arroyo has become an expert in remaining relevant. Which may not be obvious from the madlang pehpohl’s viewpoint since politicians can be, ahem, secretive, but obvious to the point of discomfort within the august halls that she and her equally highly placed colleagues exist in. The madlang pehpohl are usually clueless of the real news unfolding in those halls, and are only pleasantly—or horribly—surprised once public relations (PR) teams are ready to reveal the truth and nothing but the truth.

That’s why the Pinoy should not be surprised that 35 years later, the Ninoy Aquino assassination remains unsolved, with no definite guilty characters to accuse and imprison. Yet, his family and loyal fans continue to wear yellow perhaps to help the Pinoy remember that on Aug. 21, 1983, yellow ribbons were tied around trees leading to his house on Times Street in Quezon City, following a song’s lyrics that go this way: “Tie a yellow ribbon ’round the ole oak tree/It’s been three long years, do you still want me?/If I don’t see a ribbon round the ole oak tree/I’ll stay on the bus, forget about us, put the blame on me/If I don’t see a yellow ribbon ’round the ole oak tree.”

As usual, it’s all about PR and public image. That’s how to attract the madlang pehpohl’s attention and empathy. Without PR and a public image that resonates, good luck na lang.

Ninoy didn’t see those yellow ribbons. He was assassinated at the airport’s tarmac or the airplane’s boarding stairs, whichever version you’re inclined to believe in.

Ninoy was an easy PR subject, though—he was one of the best speakers in Pinas and videos of his anti-Marcos speeches were shown in universities and other venues after his assassination as anti-Marcos rallies were ongoing at Mendiola and also at Ayala Avenue in Makati. To stick to the yellow theme, offices in highise buildings along Ayala Avenue tore off the yellow pages of printed phone books and used them as confetti which rained on the marchers, protesters and rallyists. Afternoon and evening classes at the University Belt were usually suspended then due to these rallies or frat rumbles, whichever came first.

The non-Ninoy fan may look at this yellow frenzy as a fever that’s now morphing into dengue and the P3-billion Dengvaxia case, with the possibility of his son, former President Noynoy Aquino, being found guilty for his alleged involvement in the case. At least one Pinoy has even noticed his weight loss, which could be great news had it happened during his presidential term. But with the case, it’s regarded as a sign he’s troubled—no sleep, no appetite, no peace of mind. How has it come to this? Ninoy and Tita Cory were the ultimate anti-graft-and-corruption team and are revered Pinoy heroes for fighting against the Marcoses and bringing back democracy to Pinas. But now, here’s their unico hijo facing a P3-billion graft case. Tsk tsk.

Former President and now Manila Mayor Erap Estrada’s “weather-weather lang” is always the line that comes to mind whenever the Pinoy sees changes in Pinas’ political climate.

Even the weather itself is weather-weather lang. The Cagayanon now has to check out the city’s daily weather forecast and ask friends in the downtown area if the pouring rain is already causing floods there. In pre-climate-change years, all one had to do was to go out and savor the day, with no worries whatsoever about the weather. Tears for Fears may have the perfect pick-up line for this: “I wanted to be with you alone/And talk about the weather.” Yeah, right. Haha.

But if it’s, say, Alvarez telling Arroyo, Let’s talk about the weather, that’s definitely neither a pick-up line nor about the weather.