Nation to Aquino: 'This is your SONA'!

Reference to Rappler's report: 

"Aquino to nation: This is your SONA"

No. It should be: "Nation to Aquino: 'This is your SONA'!

The theme of PNoy's 2013 SONA is "social transformation"! So be it! Indeed, we should be part of the solution to our country's problems. This notwithstanding, and as expected, SONAs are supposedly well-crafted political speeches. That's why we should be mindful of spins and PR or discursive strategies of politicians. As responsible and active citizens, we should dare speak truth to power and be part of the solution.

Obviously, the highlights presented by PNoy are from the point of view of power, from the point of view of the government, from the point of view of the state. As citizens, we have to speak truth to power! The truth is, until now, I and a multitude of Filipinos still do not know what "Daang Matuwid" means -- let alone, the 'where', the 'why', the 'how', as well as the 'when'. Also, "reforms" and "social transformation"???

To me, the true "state of the nation" are best articulated from the points of view of the rural and urban poor, the under-/un-employed, the sick, the elderly, the disabled, the marginalized, the dispossessed, the workers, the OFWs, the victims of elitist and neoliberal capitalist governance. These are the points of view that are only understood by politicians during times of legitimation through elections, but are systematically ignored during times of governance and power.

We have to be tough on PNoy! So much are at stake on his presidency, especially because the people have entrusted in him a considerable political capital. He should be kept on his toes so that he sides with the progressive forces and individuals within his administration. And this should also send a strong signal to his clever PR and media strategists that we cannot be fooled all the time by their usual resort to spins and propaganda in dealing with the failures and shortcomings of the Aquino III administration. 

As a social critic, I have long believed in the principle of combining the flame of anger (because there are so many morally intolerable things to be angry about) and the flame of hope (to keep us going and give us meaning)!

Rage and hope! Criticize and propose! Change!