A Critique On Pres.Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's 9th State Of The Nation Address or SONA

In July 27, 2009 was the 9th and as the people hope to be the final State Of The Nation Address or SONA of the president of the Philippines, Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

During the SONA, the president stated her accomplishments for the past years of her term as president of the Philippines. But as I see it, the people does not see this accomplishments instead they focus their attention on the controversies of the president for the past years of her term. For me these accomplishments also help the Philippine to improve. But I agree with the people that the president must not run anymore for presidency next year, because she has already had the enough power in her lifetime.

And as I watch her SONA, I observe that the president is also trying to fight back all the people who try to criticize her. Just like when she said “To those who want to be president this advice, if you really want to do something, just do it, do it hard, do it well, don’t pussyfoot, don't pander, and don’t say bad words in public.” I Think That The president should not say that during the SONA, because the SONA of the president is a report of the president about his/her accomplishments and also the things that must be done for the country not try to fight back his/her critics.

During Her SONA, she mentioned her plans for the country during her last term as the president of the Philippines; she mentioned proper education for the people, more jobs, protection for the OFW, Right food for the people, peace in the country, peace talks in Mindanao, more police men on the streets to assure peace and order and protecting democracy during her term. I think that some of her plans are already promised by her during the past years but until now nothing is happening, just like more jobs and peace in Mindanao, as I observed at present, there are still more Filipinos who are jobless and also, Mindanao is still chaotic. Just like for the past months this year, bombing in places in cotabato and davao city are rampant. And also last year were the MILF refused the government’ s peace talks and initiate a non-stop bombing in different places in catabato, Zamboanga and iligan were many people were killed and hurt, and also the NPA attacks in surigao.

As the SONA is Happening, I have question in my mind, why are classes and Jobs are postponed only in Luzon during the SONA? Why are classes and jobs here in Mindanao and Visayas are still going on during the SONA? Does this mean that visayas and Mindanao are not parts of the Philippines anymore? I hope that is not true, but still why does the government do that? I think that even the capital of the country is located in Luzon; it doesn’t mean that Luzon is the most prioritized by the government; every island here in the Philippines must have a Fair right in these special occasions like this. Because for what I think, the country should be whole, the people should act as one so that the country can be strong and can be ready for the challenges that the country would face in the future.

On the last part of the president’s SONA she was giving her advice to the people and also giving her closing remarks to end her SONA. She stated that “we must march with hope, optimism and determination; we must come together, work together and walk together toward the future. I agree with the president’s statement, we must be ready for the future, we must be one, we must work together to make our country strong, let us not only relay all the work to the government, we also must help the government to make our country better than others.

As for me, I am not calling myself an anti-gloria, because some of her accomplishments also help the Philippines. And also I am not calling myself a pro-gloria, because even if her accomplishments are helping the country it is still isn’t enough. Many people are still experiencing poverty, and many are also jobless. And I hope that she will find a way to solve these problems. But one thing is clear; there is no person in this world that is more powerful than the Almighty Father in Heaven. We must have fate in God, Who always there to guide us in every step we take.

Butuan: the city of treasures

The city of Butuan! Some people call it the “city of tourist” and others call it the “timber city of the south” this is because of the beautiful treasure here in Butuan that have been entertaining people who visit’s every year.

One of the beautiful treasures of Butuan is the Rizal park. What makes the Rizal park great, it is because this is the site where the first hoisting of the Philippine flag in Mindanao. This is also the reason why people from other cities come here. The beauty of the Rizal park is becoming more attractive to the people during Christmas and new year when the people lit up the Rizal park with different Christmas light and some lanterns. This is why Rizal park is one of Butuan’s treasures.

Another treasure of Butuan is the Magellan anchorage in Brgy Masao, Butuan city. This is one of the evidence that the people of Masao have for their belief that the first mass really did happened in Butuan.

What also amazed people who stayed here in Butuan is Agusan River. The Agusan River is third of the largest river in the Philippines. In the old days people use the river to transport lumber. That is why in the old days trading is easy in butuan, but now there are only few who transport lumber through the river. At present, the city government of butuan is improving the Agusan River. In 2006 the city mayor hon. Democrito “boy Daku” plaza II initiated a housing program for the people, who are living beside the river, the project is for the improvement of the Agusan River and for the safety of the people.

Besides from this place in Butuan, there is another treasure of butuan that people are attracted to. These are the butuan artifacts. One of the Butuan artifacts is the Balanghai boat that is being used by the Malays to come to the Philippines. The Balanghai boat is now found in the Balanghay shrine museum. And you can also find the remnants of the earliest Balanghay boat that came here in Butuan. Another artifact is the golden Tara. The golden tara is an ultimate evidence of Indian influence, transmitted through the neighboring empire of Srivijaya. The golden Tara was found in 1917 in Esperanza, about 28 kilometer southeast of Butuan. It is made of 21 carat gold and about 4 pound in weight.

There is also a place in Butuan that makes Butuan beautiful and green. This is the majestic Mt. Mayapay. Mt. Mayapay is found in brgy. Bonbon, Butuan city. Looming in southwest of the agusan valley this majestic and beautiful mountain of Butuan plateau. It has a height of 2,214 feet above sea level. Mt. Mayapay is also the one of the highest mountain in the Philippines. Mt. Mayapay got its name from the ancient madjapahit empire. For the past years Mt. Mayapay became the most visited place by mountain climbers for its green and wonderful surroundings. At present the city government of butuan is trying to improve Mt. Mayapay by initiating a tree planting program that happened last 2008. Many people join the tree planting including students from Agusan national high school as part of their C.A.T (Citizenship Advancement Training). at present Mt. Mayapay is undergoing a rehabilitation which is a pet project of congressman jose “joboy” aquino who allocated at least 1 million for his countrywide development fund to raise tree seedlings and also when former congressman Atty.leovigildo banaag is in the congress he fill up an urgent bill in congress to convert Mt. Mayapay into a national park.

Today. The city Mayor, Hon. Democrito “boy Daku” Plaza II is having some projects for the improvement of tourism in the city. The first project that is already been done is the new bridge that been named the Diosdado macapagal bridge. That is the first. Some are still in progress right now. Although the the bridge is already done they have to close it on Nov, 2007 due to construction problems but days of maintenance work, the bridge is now open again for the people and for the vehicles. And after few months after the bridge is done, the Eco Park was build, the Eco Park was build for so tourist can see the beauty of nature in Butuan.

These are the treasures of Butuan that people love. But there is one more. It is the Kahimunan festival that is being celebrated during the third Sunday of January. The festival is about the people giving their Gratitudes toward the sto. Nino who is known as child Jesus. In this day the people are dancing in a native dance dressed up with colorful dress. In this day also is the Kahimunan dance contest. The contestant are students not just in Butuan but also in other province.

These were the places and things that made Butuan a famous city. But there is one treasure that Butuan have that make Butuan the city of treasures, this treasure is the people of Butuan. The kindness and the generosity of the people are the most precious treasure that Butuan can show to other people. And I think that if there are no people, there is no Butuan. And this are the treasure that butuan have to call it the city of treasures.

But there is still some problems in butuan have not yet been solved. I try to question in my mind that if the saying is true that "there is no Philippines but there is butuan". If that is true, then why is butuan now is less productive than the other cities in Mindanao. For me i think that is because of the leaders and the government of butuan that been leading us for many years now. maybe there are some corruption going on the government. Lets try to compare the status of the cities, in cagayan there are already Robinson mall and SM there, here in butuan we have gaisano mall. in cagayan, gaisano mall is one of the cities old mall but here we still think that gaisano is new. even cabadbaran is becoming more productive than butuan. I think we should do something but not in the violent way, like rallies, etc. We can fight in a peaceful way by using our intelligence and our vocabulary to fight this people or government officials who makes our city a slow productive city. Just like United States President Barrack Obama said, "Its a Time Of Change".

But Still, Butuan is one of the most beautiful city in Mindanao. I think, even butuan today is less productive than other cities, the treasures of butuan will still amaze the people who visits here. Also I think as experiencing right now here in butuan, the people compare to other cities are more hospitable and kind. And also the cleanliness of the city.

Butuan is truly the city of treasures because of its beautiful and majestic places and things. for others, they maybe thinking that butuan is just a ordinary city in the north because maybe they were not able to see the beauty of butuan, but for me and the other butuanons, butuan city is truly the city of treasures."ATO INI KADYAWON TA"

(note:all images used came from google.com)