I do believe President Aquino's speech is yet the finest I have heard in a SONA.

@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
July 27, 2011 3:47am CST
The SONA was awaited with much ado and much glamour. Fashion aside, the decorum at the Congress Hall was one for the books, except for Edcel Lagman who was caught on cam pouting like a spoiled kid. The Senate President was civil and courteous, granted that he never hid his criticism for the incumbent president of the land. But President Aquino was president and he knew that. So he acted very presidential, congenial both to allies and foes, shaking hands and offering smiles. That is what makes a gentleman. The atmosphere was probably necessary, but the President's focus was on his message. He knew it was his chance to talk to the people because they would be listening this time. After all, it was the State of the Nation that he was going to elaborate on. So he talked in the national language: Tagalog! He didn't care if there were diplomats and aliens right in front of him. The translators could do their job translating for these guys. But his message was for every Juan de la Cruz who was hoping to hear that somehow, what he was going to say could alleviate their plight. And so President Aquino delivered the finest speech I ever heard. He talked about my concerns: the roads, the water supply, the electricity, the jobs, the transportation and the weather. In the course of laying down the foundation of good governance, he was honest enough to say that he was taking the fight against corruption personally. And that those who possess the wang=wang(siren) mentality would have their day in court. President Aquino also said that the time to defend the land has come. Leave to the Filipinos what is rightfully ours. President Aquino commanded his people to take pride in this race, literally telling each one to stop the negative remarks about our own, and begin a culture of appreciating what is good and beautiful. And by way of example, he expressed gratitude to his own teacher. Then he taught us that which our parents and elders had always reared us to do: say Thank You! President Aquino stood for one hour jesting in a typical Pinoy parlance. There was sarcasm and irony in his words. And those who are guilty better squirm in their seats. But to the fishermen, the farmers, the mechanics, the vendors, the jeepney drivers, the teachers, the ordinary students, there is hope.
1 person likes this
6 responses
• Philippines
1 Aug 11
Very well said, Mommy Eileen! I, too, found the President's SONA speech was very well-thought out. I ended up being prouder than I've ever been about him. People are just not used to seeing a no-nonsense person sitting in Malacanang. Definitely not a traditional politician. It's only been a year. Who knows what other major accomplishments he will show us in the next 5 years!
1 person likes this
@wrangel15 (1443)
• Philippines
3 Aug 11
Yup. H still has five year to do the things to be done. Hopefully his administration accomplish a lot. And may the Filipinos collaborate with him instead of being his antagonists. We stay in the same country anyway.
2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
8 Aug 11
I am sorry I did not see your responses right away guys. I had been wary with what is happening in America. The G7 are conferring soon. The government is advising us to be prepared. I wish our president could find enough ways to get out workforce back into the farm fields and the fish pens. We are an agricultural country and our coastline is also so wide. But many bystanders do not know that life is there. If only our people would till the soil and throw their nets, we would stand on our own.
• Philippines
7 Aug 11
I know, right?! Why do they have to be negative all the time? They think they can do a better job? Sheesh!
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jul 11
I guess, i am a patriotic person, so i like it so much that he delivered his speech in Tagalog. At least, all the Filipino people can understand him so well. That's what SONA is all about, to address all the Filipino people of his accomplishments and what will still be accomplished.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
27 Jul 11
He was reporting to his bosses!
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
30 Jul 11
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
Correct! And that includes you and me, so he better make his speech good.
1 person likes this
@wrangel15 (1443)
• Philippines
30 Jul 11
I agree with you. With his State of the Nation Address I felt hope. Hope that corruption is still not the business of all politicians. The government saved a lot of money for stopping inconsistent and unproductive projects. Hopefully the next administrations will continue to fight corruption in the government.
1 person likes this
@wrangel15 (1443)
• Philippines
3 Aug 11
Yes, we'll see after Pnoy's administration. At least other politicians will now think twice if they do any corrupt activities in the government.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
30 Jul 11
I would like to believe that after this administration, corruption will not be in our daily lingo anymore. I was looking forward to good household or barber talk topics like who's who in the world's best... and a Pinoy is up there.
@ellebj (784)
• Philippines
27 Jul 11
What i like in his speech is on the way he used tagalog and on the way he play with his words. However, i was not impress with the content, he only gives some aspects of his works, the ones he was successful of but he do not tackle the issues regarding education, rh bill and other hot stuffs.. though there really are some improvements in his work, but they are not enough.. Also, he doesn't state specific projects he wants to do for the succeeding years. what he said are vague topics that we don't know what is really on his mind.. or maybe there is nothing on his mind that time. .
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
27 Jul 11
There is a lot of ironing on education and the RH Bill, but those will be dealt to in time.
@ellebj (784)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
you are right.. but he still has low ratings for me.. for me, an excellent sona speech is on pointing out things, specific and detailed answers for eahc and everyone's questions..though he said what he has achieved for the past 1 year, but when it comes to his plans for the succeeding years, we have no idea.. he don't even tell even a few plans or say detailed plans for the country.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
30 Jul 11
The president mentioned the funds we have in savings. That is good enough, meaning that amount of money will be utilized for the betterment of the living condition of the people.
@greenpeas (998)
• Philippines
28 Jul 11
I agree. He laid it all out so even the average joes will understand what he is talking about, and he talks in Tagalog! I remember Marcos decades ago blubbering in English and my parents say its time to sleep because it is boring to the core. But those who attended live are wide awake because they know the repercussions if Marcos caught them sleeping. PNoy definitely wants to convey his sincerest desire to lead the country out of economic quagmire and make the lives of the Filipino people a better one. He doesnt hole a magic wand like the wizards in Harry Potter that will instantly fix all the mess, but he sure is doing everything to correct the deeply entrenched corruption and red tapes in the government which is preventing our country reach its full potential. It is our duty as citizen to help in any small or big way we can.
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@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
29 Jul 11
You know what, the poor that I see everyday are beginning to learn how to smile. With the corrupt people being unmasked, perhaps they are already feeling that their lives would get better!
@zills66 (1419)
• Saudi Arabia
27 Jul 11
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
27 Jul 11