THE MIGRANTS

In May 2010, the Philippines is installing leaders to lead and govern its inhabitants. To ordinary mortals like you and me, the electioneering campaigns seem farcical in their blatant commercialism. Naturally, each candidate will enter into marriage with anybody who will have a strong followings.

Politicians no longer live in only glass houses – they live in ‘heavily fortified pyrex glasses’ where ‘stones nor rocks’ can shake the foundation. Moral pygmies will always try to look like historical giants.

Why has it become a do or die affair in our native Philippines? Fringe benefits, of course. ‘Serving the people’ battle cry is only during the battle. After the election, this ‘battle cry’ is relegated to a dusty, musty grave to be exhumed after six years. Very much like the Christmas ornaments – dusted, cleaned, polished and put on display during the season.

We have witnessed the worst and the best for our native land.

For OFWs here in Nigeria, the travel/deployment ban caused us untold anxiety, frustrations and anger toward the government.

And yet, the saving factor in the person of CMA Director Ellene Sana came along.

Philippines' Cory Aquino died;
the outpouring is unprecedented.

The back-to-back typhoons devastated many areas; And yet, donations flooded and tales of inherent heroism and generosity surfaced, too.

Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao, the undisputed pound-for-pound fighter won 7 titles in 7 divisions which no other boxer had achieved. CNN Hero of the year is Efren Penaflorida.

Let’s just say, the equation somehow balances the pros and cons.

Disasters come and go; but the worst ‘human disaster’ is the Arroyo administration.

It is often circulated in emails: ‘People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.’
The chance is ours come election time. Or will we allow these people to come/stay into our life for a lifetime?

Transition dominates this issue of The Migrants. From the posting of our revered friend and spiritual father, Msgr. Fratini (to Spain) and spiritual friends and sisters, Sr. Resurreccion and Sr. Ortencia (to MCST homebase) to the final curtain for our beloved Philippines’ Queen of Hearts, Cory Aquino and very dear friend, Ana Dador.

But the best ‘transition’ we got is this: OFWs in Nigeria got their freedom to travel home and back to their working places.

~ vangienovio