What is our Real State?

"To those who want to be President, this advice: If you really want something done, just do it. Do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Don’t pander. And don’t say bad words in public."

Yesterday's State of the Nation Address (SONA) was nothing short of a show - a clapping audience and a woman in front putting on a show. Trying to convince everyone - including herself - that what she's saying actually made a difference.

54 minutes - that could have been cut to 30 if she did not stop just so people would clap 126 times - of speech that meant nothing to those who are drenched in the rain, tirelessly screaming along the police-ridden Commonwealth Ave. And during these 54 minutes, she bragged about the improvement of our economy, the half-priced drugs we're selling and the infrastructure (fine Mom, she did something grand but it stops at SCTEX) that she was able to build.

She said that our economy has improved, "we have a strong economy and a strong fiscal position to withstand global shocks," but UP School of Economics professor Dr. Benjamin Diokno revealed the real deal with our economy in an article posted on PCIJ's website.

She was so proud that she's the first SouthEast Asian President that was invited by the White House to meet the Pres. Obama. The Washington Times think that this was a bad move for the American President. And I quote, "The choice of Mrs. Arroyo for this honor was a mistake because Mr. Obama is being used to give political cover for the Philippine president's trouble back home." And they end their Editorial with this, "but the nation should be differentiate from its lame-duck leader. Welcoming Mrs. Arroyo to the White House only validates her troubled rule." Very well said, I must say. Read full article here.

Finally, after 54 minutes, the torture/stupidity/embarrassment/show that is SONA was over.

Fine, let's give it to her that she actually did some good job, but what has she actually done to alleviate the plight of the poorest of the poor Filipinos? During her past 10 years in office, her SONAs have promised a lot of things, and she hasn't been able to deliver most of them. And I wonder what has happened to those boys with paper boats.

"At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage, but not from the Presidency. My term does not end until next year. Until then, I will fight for the ordinary Filipino. The nation comes first. There is much to do as head of state – to the very last day."

Question is, when is the "very last day?"

And I see thought bubbles above heads where she trips while stepping down the stage.