Edit: Embedded video of SONA 2008 below.

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Okay, the President’s SONA is due Monday, July 28 — so I’ve heard. I wonder what sort of PowerPoint-style presentation we’ll see this time. I’m not a fan of the President’s SONA (State of the Nation Address) and I have to admit that I’ve seen only quite a few. If you want to know why, that’s because like many Filipinos, I grew tired of watching/listening to SONA’s. And why won’t I be? There are far more reasons not to watch it.

But in light of the crisis we have found ourselves in the midst of, it suddenly dawned on me that there is no better time to watch the SONA than on Monday. Facing an all-time high, double-digit and steadily increasing inflation rate, rice crisis, unabated bank robberies, plunging peso, political controversies and many more issues that make up a seemingly endless list — we, the people, need to know what exactly is happening within the walls of Malacanang. We need to know what contingency and long-term (this I doubt) plans this current government has up their sleeves. But you know what, I will no longer use “we”. I’ve realized that doing so is both unfair and inappropriate. I do not speak for a certain society group, I only speak for myself. So, that said, let me rephrase that. I need to know what this government is busying itself with in relation to the issues at hand. I want to know if it’s still worth believing that we can get through all these because we are a strong people. I need to know that behind the President is a team “of the people”, working for the people they are supposed to serve. I need to know that the President’s men are not slacking off in their comfy offices.

Don’t get me wrong, though. Although I have many times expressed discontent with the way things are going in our country in many aspects including but not limited to the President’s poor performance, I am neither pro nor anti-administration.

I am, always been and always will be pro-Philippines, pro-freedom, pro-Filipino and pro-democracy. I am also pro-transparency, pro-accountability and pro-performance.

Let me add another pro to that. I am also pro-results. And by results, I mean those that are “felt“. As PGMA puts it “ramdam“. She puts it so cleverly on her posters all over the metro — “ramdam ang kaunlaran“. I don’t know about you guys, some of you are probably “feeling” it alright. Those who have acccess to “internet-provided” information must feel some sort of “kaunlaran” (progress) alright. But we all know that the true test of progress being “felt” has to be among the people who need it most– the marginalized poor. If progress is “felt” by a very small fraction of the working/middle class, then I’d say, that’s plain weak. That ain’t progress to me.

To say that poverty is declining (however low) when this crisis is pushing former “middle class” families to the brink of/near poverty is one big fat lie. The numbers may tell you one thing, but would you rather believe in data than the actual people saying they are not “feeling” the effects of that so-called progress?

Data is good. There’s no argument there. Science is good. But to exhibit complacency based on pure data is a dangerous thing to do. These people who are in dire need of food on their table will not be nourished by your “data”. The campaign is good, “ramdam ang kaunlaran“. But I suppose before you go pasting or hanging it here and there, make sure you have actual “poor” people attesting to that and not just some silent data.

I look forward to the SONA, really I do. I am so eager to know what’s happening and what’s being done. I ardently wish the President has good things to say. If there aren’t any, I just hope to hear the truth and not some sugar-coated lie. And although the President’s news may not sound positive, it’s always a good start to build on the truth.

I enjoin you to watch the SONA. Let’s get back in the game. After all, we are the main players here, we are not spectators. It’s about time we all realize that, don’t you think?