A Glimpse of the Country’s Future: 1998
Last June 11, 1998, the lifestyle section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer posted an article written by Geraldine Rullan that looked into the Philippine political crystal ball. It was called, “A Glimpse of the Country’s Future” with a tagline, “Five young leading men who will probably figure in elections 2010.”
The five men featured were the cream of the crop of their generation: Argee Guevarra, David Celdran, Kiko Pangilinan, Mike Defensor and Dennis Mendiola.
We are revisiting this article to take a look at how our friend Mike was viewed in that particular conjucture, and how he fares compared to the rest of that generation.
After all, in less than a decade, the movers and shakers of the present will soon be tombstone entries or will be buried in the dustbin of the nation’ s history.
And the rest of your post here
- Kay tamis ng ating samahan sa lungkot at kaligayahan. Tunay na kaibigan, kasamang maaasahan. Salamat at tayo'y may
pinagsamahan. Salamat, tunay kong kaibigan
(Salamat, by The Dawn)
Mike has always been dear to us since we were kids. He’s a good friend who came running when we needed him. Mike was the go-to guy even before he became Cong. Mike, and then Sec. Defensor. Many of us knew he was destined for public service. Mike was the consummate politician, a trait he developed since grade school. We thought he would go on to become president, if he didn’t disappoint the fickle Filipino public.But it seems he has. So much so that he is vilified by the media at every opportunity. His actions are always placed within the perspective of his relationship with an unpopular president. Justifiable, though harsh.
So we set up this blog. Some of us have worked with him and have seen him make what we thought were good decisions. But some of us were also there when we thought he made wrong ones. But that is how a man is made -- by the choices he makes.As his friends, the best we can do is stand by him and try to help everyone else see things from a different light.
On the campaign trail, the mayor running for re-election walks up to a house of his campaign adviser and rings the doorbell. When a small boy opens the door, the mayor introduces himself, “Hello there, little boy! What’s your name?”
“Little Johnny,” replies the small boy.
“Well, Little Johnny, I’m Mayor Hoffman. I’m running for re-election. Can I speak to your father?”
“He’s in the shower right now,” answers Little Johnny with a giggle.
“Oh! Well, is your mother in the house too?” asks Mayor Hoffman.
“Yes, she is. But she’s in the shower with my daddy,” replies Little Johnny with a snicker.
“Oh I see,” says Mayor Hoffman who pauses a moment thinking of what to say next. Then he smiles and says, “Little Johnny, can you go see if they are through now? I would like to speak to either one of them. It’s important.”
“I don’t think so,” replies Little Johnny with a big laugh.
Surprised to see the boy laughing heartily, the perplexed mayor demands, “What’s so funny, son? Is there something wrong with your parents?”
“Well, when my daddy asked for the Vaseline while they’re in the shower, I handed him the Super Glue.”
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16 comments:
None of them actually is in the position to run for the Presidency. At best, two of them still has a name, the rest are lost in the translation.
None of them actually is in the position to run for the Presidency. At best, two of them still has a name, the rest are lost in the translation.
I agree that these five were the "cream of the crop" of their generation.
But history has shown that they did not live up to the expectation.
But these are young people, they can still reshape their future.
Sayang!
And why is Argee Guevarra in the equation?
2010 is still halfway of their lifetime, let these people make a difference in the next chapter. Yes, I agree, wala naman talaga sa kanila may karapatan maging presidente, even your friend Mike Defensor.
But 2016 might be a different timeframe.
Sino si Dennis Mendiola?
Si David Celdran puwede pa but he is too weak to be considered a political force.
Argee Guevarra is known to be a mudslinging lawyer. Lagi nag hahanap ng gulo.
So only two in that list are qualified to lead the nation, both of them are not loved at all by the youth.
Why is Ace Durano not in the list?
Hindi ba tuta ni GMA si Defensor?
If ever this traditional politician runs, I will not vote for him.
He is a political turncoat so I am pretty sure he will fit into whoever takes the presidential seat.
Now, he wasted a few seconds of my precious time.
A glimpse, no matter how minor, is almost always relevant, since it represents a truth, no matter how small.
However, a glimpse starts to blur when its relevance is screened by smog, or when its truth fails to be consistent.
I am curious to find out if the glimpse of truth in 1998 is still present in each of the five.
The "cream of the crop" of the military academy has a better batting average of making good in the future because of its controlled environment and established culture. Their sense of seniority discourages junior officers to jump to the next levels early on, giving them enough time to develop themselves.
But partisan politics is a totally different story. The partisan crop seems to be naturally inconsistent, predatory and they change color spontaneously depending on the environment.
Masyado pa sigurong maaga. Natalo sya nung nakaraang election. At malamang lalabas uli sa baul ung isyu kay Jun Lozada.
Kiko has a higher marketability at this time. He went “independent” (which spared him from the PGMA stigma) and he has Sharon.
The presence of Argee Guevarra seems to balance the equation. Whether you use a (+) or (-) sign on him, the way he challenges popular thinking and the status quo gives him the right to be on the equation
Perhaps, the saving grace for Mike Defensor would be the PNR. He must sustain its initial success. Or else! Some ghosts of the North & South Rail still linger from the time that he was HUDCC Chairman.
I agree that it is still too early, or very untimely, for them, including Mike D. I am longing for a leader who would truly champion the cause of the poor. Mike D. had a partnerhsip with Gawad Kalinga beofre but I invite him to go back to those sites that he had helped.
Kiks,
Just one question: is there something that Mike can do that will make you change his mind about him?
Just for the sake of discussion. We don't know and this blog is not telling us whether he is running or not.
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