Noynoy´s SONA. Aquino must learn to say GPATNAH!
Ah, therein lies a tale, whatever. In any case, I hope Noynoy turns out to be Dorothy in the end and my namesake American author Frank L Baum a seer after all. Remember? The Wonderful Wizard of Oz wasn´t a wizard like Dorothy & Tin Man & Scarecrow & Cowardly Lion thought he was; rather, he was a wizard of common sense. Seek and you shall find it within yourself.
"Message to Noynoy. Know if he´s communicating?" I asked previously (18 July, American Chronicle). Yes, and clearly, was the response of one of my email recipients. I didn´t think he was. But now, as I listen to Noynoy Aquino's first words - enough! - in his State of the Nation Address, SONA and translate it into English:
Original, in Tagalog / Filipino (104 words):
Sa bawat sandali po ng pamamahala ay nahaharap tayo sa isang sangandaan.
Sa isang banda po ay ang pagpili para sa ikabubuti ng taumbayan. Ang pagtanaw sa interes ng nakakarami; ang pagkapit sa prinsipyo; at ang pagiging tapat sa sinumpaan nating tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. Ito po ang tuwid na daan.
Sa kabilang banda ay ang pag-una sa pansariling interes. Ang pagpapaalipin sa pulitikal na konsiderasyon, at pagsasakripisyo ng kapakanan ng taumbayan. Ito po ang baluktot na daan.
Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problemang ating namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad.
My free translation in English (105 words):
In every moment of leadership, we are faced with a crossroad.
On one side, choosing for the good of the people. Viewing the interest of the majority, hanging on to principles, and being true to our oath as servant of the people. This is the straight path.
On the other side, attending first to self-interest. Being a slave to political considerations, sacrificing the welfare of the people. This is the crooked path.
Long has the government been lost in the crooked path. Day by day, the breadth of problems we have inherited is becoming clear to me. I feel heavily the weight of my responsibility.
A revelation! One, his Tagalog original is shorter (by 1 word) than my English translation, and I´m not new at this. It usually is the case that, because that language is naturally long-winded, the Tagalog version is very much longer than the English version. Not this time. Two, in this his latest expression of his many an irritation, my impression is that Noynoy Aquino has an excellent team of speechwriters and editors - they are in command of the language; they are following the 4 Cs of communication; the SONA speech is clear, comprehensive, concise and coherent. My congratulations to the A Team.
A revelation, I repeat. On one side, I don´t see his SONA as State of the Nation Address; I see his SONA as State of Noynoy Aquino - still on the campaign trail, as one columnist has noted. I don´t want a Noynoy Ngawngaw (talk-talk), because talk is cheap. You have to walk your talk, and it´s been 29 days he hasn't taken the first step of a thousand journeys – he must begin by coming up with a Vision, desired & shared future. And on to another revelation: He must be like me. You know, frankly and hilariously, my mother used to tell anyone who cared to listen that I didn´t learn to take my first step until I was 3 years old! I wasn´t walking; I hope I wasn´t talking.
On the other side, I know I´m not a leader so, I have no advice for Noynoy Aquino on how to behave as a leader; but somebody else does, and he was born 138 years ago, on 26 September 1872 in Terre Haute, Indiana. A leader must cogitate, must open his mind, not simply his mouth. Noynoy Aquino must think in the interest of himself first so that he can think of the interest of others; he needs to meditate every single day.
So, I urge Noynoy to consider Max Ehrmann´s masterpiece of inspirational prose, the very famous poem, the introspective Desiderata. Karen M Dyer says Desiderata is "an ageless message on exemplary leadership" (britannica.com), and so it must be. Here´s Noynoy's new mantra, GPATNAH! Go placidly amid the noise and haste!
DESiDERATA
By Max Erhmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble,
it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
Print
Email
