Laughter and the State of the Nation: SONA, sana
In an unprecedented move that had many raising their eyebrows and others clapping in glee, Pope Francis recently invited a group of international top comedians to the Vatican. This meeting underscores the deeply rooted humor in the Catholic tradition and shows the progressive streak of the world's first Jesuit pontiff.
Historically, Christian theologians and monastics have recognized the power of humor to heal, unite cultures, and, let's face it, keep us all from going completely bonkers.
Inspired by this joyous occasion, it’s time to reflect on the annual political public relations extravaganza known as the State of the Nation Address (SONA) through the lens of humor. I propose we call it the "State of Noodles Address" (SANA) because, let’s be honest, we all need some comfort food after hearing political speeches. And "sana" is the Tagalog word for "hopefully."
So, here’s my SANA, or whimsical wish list for genuine reforms in our Fiesta Republic, wrapped in a comedic bow.
Sana our legislators showcase not just their fashion sense but also their statesmanship, wisdom, and genuine concern for the people’s welfare.
Firstly, let’s address the SONA fashion show, where our legislators and their spouses don their most elegant attire. It’s like the Oscars, but with more barong, more terno and less Brad Pitt, less Anne Hathaway.
Sana our legislators showcase not just their fashion sense but also their statesmanship, wisdom, and genuine concern for the people's welfare. Imagine, if they spent as much time drafting bills as they did selecting their outfits, what a wonderful legislative wardrobe we’d enjoy!
Now let’s talk about the elusive P20-per-kilo rice election promise. This promise has become the unicorn of Philippine politics—often spoken of, but never seen.
Currently, rice prices are dancing around P55 to P60 per kilo, making us wish we could go on a nationwide low-carb diet out of sheer necessity.
Sana, with genuine agriculture reforms and support for our struggling farmers, we can achieve rice self-sufficiency soon. And wouldn’t it be nice if we could enjoy unlimited rice without our wallets crying for help?
On the topic of peace and order, sana there’s a renewed focus on stricter law enforcement, so that there would be less tragic news of tourists being killed. Let’s hope our streets can be safer than our politicians’ promises.
Speaking of promises, our Philippine economy is reportedly promising and the second fastest-growing in ASEAN. But for many Filipinos and even MSMEs, this GDP growth feels more like a sprout than a full-grown tree. Sana we also see the second-lowest inflation rates in ASEAN so we can afford more than just instant noodles?
And then there’s the never-ending, lurid POGO controversy. It's like a bad telenovela that just won’t end. Legislators cynically argue about “legal” and “illegal” POGOs while conveniently ignoring that all these operations are banned throughout Asia due to their nefarious crime-syndicate affiliations.
It’s almost like watching a magic show where they try to make problems disappear with a wave of legal jargon. Sana we could just totally ban these insidious POGOs outright and focus on legitimate industries that don’t require sleight of hand.
Foreign policy is another area where we could use a dose of humor and a dash of pragmatic reality. There's no need to reinvent the wheel.
Can we not just emulate the clever neutrality of our ASEAN neighbors like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam? They manage to stay friendly with all the big three—USA, Russia, and China—without getting caught up in geopolitical drama.
Sana we can achieve a truly independent foreign policy, focusing on more trade and cooperation rather than buying expensive military toys we don’t need. Sana we could focus on inviting more US, Chinese, European tourists and investors like our ASEAN neighbors do, rather than foreign troops here?
Speaking of spending, let’s not forget the 2024 national government budget of a whopping P5.768 trillion pesos! That's a lot of zeros!
Sana our legislators earnestly pass comprehensive and systemic anti-corruption laws that actually work. Imagine, if corrupt officials faced real jail time instead of hospital arrest or VIP luxury quarters.
And while we’re at it, let’s publicly shame those who flaunt their corrupt wealth. Perhaps GMA-7 or ABS-CBN or TV5 could create a reality show called Who Wants to Be a Jailed Millionaire? I volunteer to be the TV host.
Finally, can our politicians please step out of the limelight with their endless conflicts, which distress us hapless citizens, also potential foreign investors?
It would be a breath of fresh air for our country if the headlines were more about our national economic achievements or agricultural advancements, rather than nonstop political theatrics. Remember, investigations should be the job of the NBI, DOJ, and courts, not our drama-loving politicians seemingly seeking their next big role.
The world and life are both tragically funny and at the same time very comically tragic to those of us who think and feel.
Let’s strive to make our society less absurd, more just, and—dare I say it—more genuinely and wholesomely humorous. It's up to us to tip the scales toward justice, progress, and a touch of real joy.
So, here's to a SONA of the President filled with genuine reforms and a SANA that keeps us all smiling as we strive for a better, more just and peaceful Philippines. Because if we can't laugh at our troubles, we might just cry and all jump into the Pasig River. And where's the fun in that?