Story of two "guards" and then some
Two guards in Cebu City did things last Saturday that landed them in the news the following day, Sunday. One guard, Erwin Macua, walked on stage at the Saint Theresa's College Cebu to receive his bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, cum laude. Another guard, although not exactly a security officer but a city councilor who answers to the name Jerry Guardo, called for a press conference to announce his defection from Team Rama to rival party BOPK.
Guard Macua found himself deluged with accolades and honors, and prominent mention in every form of media that got wind of his incredible story — from working the night shift for 17 years before finally deciding to study by day and obtain a diploma with honors and still squeezing what time remained in between to stay true to his obligations as a family man.
Guardo, on the other hand, got mixed reactions to his controversial political decision. Some quickly lambasted him for turning his back on his partymates. Others were more understanding, seeing that is how it is in politics — sometimes you lose old friends and sometimes you gain new ones. Guardo did try to explain his decision. But it is really difficult to put a finger on what one does with his politics.
One thing that might be said of Guardo, though, is that his decision was swift. He did not keep people guessing. If honor is at stake here at all, then it can be said of Guardo that at least he was able to salvage some. And that is more than can be said of his other colleagues like David Tumulak and Hanz Abella, colleagues before of Guardo in Team Rama who bolted much earlier but who took almost forever to man up to their actions, pretending for the longest time to be independent.
But there is no such thing as an independent in divisive politics, especially politics that is clearly split into two acrimonious sides that have been at each other's throats for God knows when. To proclaim independence in light of the most contrary of evidence not only insults the intelligence of one's audience, it also underscores the lack of intelligence of the speaker.
Life is truly amazing. Sometimes we have people like Macua who, despite his difficult circumstances, managed to surmount his challenges and, not only that, did it with honors. His story is now on everybody's lips. Then we have people like Guardo, who faced a tough choice and made a difficult decision. But at least he did it without excuses, no hemming and hawing. How his story comes out will depend on who does the telling. Then we have people like Tumulak and Abella. End of story.