Lights out

MORE than just a speech, it was a conversation.

The State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President a few days ago have had its fair share of the usual and the always cheers and jeers.

In fact, until now, people from all walks of life are still weighing in on it. Yes, experts gave their analysis. Yes, supporters and detractors have given, and continue to give, their opinion. Yes, even the man, or the woman, on the street also voiced their inputs and their insights. Yes, almost everybody from the academe, to foreigners, to media, to showbiz, and to just anybody, had a little something, and still have a little something, to utter as for their comments.

One thing is clear, though: the President broke yet another tradition of merely reading from a script, written by him or by her or by somebody else or by a team, by raining ad libs on the supposedly short but actually long piece, and by speaking from the heart.

That heart that showed not just concern, but anger, towards the scourge of drugs and all its impacts and effects, and the way it destroys many aspects of our lives.

That heart that revealed a pain suffered by most, in not just the symbolism, but more importantly the reality, of never-ending queues when there should be none.

That heart that shared hopes and dreams for a better, yet simple, life, of the basics being covered, and the extras being availed, and of a government that should truly and deeply be working for its people.

The President talked, not just to those who were present, but likewise to those who were elsewhere but cared to watch or listen live, or read and listen thereafter. It was not just a one-way speech. It was a real and genuine two-way conversation, even if the people can only nod, or smile, or laugh, or maybe pump a fist or two, or perhaps jump for joy or more.

He captivated his audience, gaining more admirers, taming some opponents, more because of how he portrayed himself, more because of how human he came out to be, more because of his seriousness and his sincerity, repeat and repeat and repeat and all, and somehow less because of the substance or content of what he had to say, or how good, or how bad, he can read from a machine that flashed the words that were written, or any other conventional standard for formal ceremonies like that one.

He connected, plain and simple, even if one disagrees with some of his personal positions, and even if one did not find the program or the details of what he or she was looking for or waiting for.

He connected, and was able to communicate what he wants for him to do, or for his administration to accomplish, or for the people to contribute.

He connected, and judging by the next steps he has taken after delivering the SONA, and these are already too many to mention, he continues to connect and really appears to be on the way to delivering some or all of his campaign promises and life-long commitments that used to be just small talk in jazz bars but now have the chance and the choice to be implemented wholesale in the entire country.

This President, who talked directly to the people and not just to the tailored suits and lacy gowns, therefore, deserves solid support. And this support includes public clamor against what our people might think as unacceptable, in order for him to adjust if he sees the wisdom in the opposition, because any constructive criticism will surely

aid in the decision-making process. But this support definitely necessitates not blind, but more than just calculated, trust and faith, for an old man who has unselfishly offered his twilight and sunset so the next generation may enjoy the breaking of a new dawn and the coming of a new day.

Anyway, all told, for the succeeding SONAs and every single working day for the rest of his term, we shall be witnesses, and hopefully participants, to the breaking of traditions, in fashion, in language, in mindset, in values, in culture, and all the ways and all the means we were accustomed to.

Indeed, things can change, even if they are not things or even if they are more than things. Indeed, things will change, as they have already begun, as they will continue to proceed, whether we like them or not.

As for our sentimental affair with glitz and glamour, with pomp and pageantry, and with prim and proper, they are now lights out.

Comments are most welcome. Please send them to taipan.millan@mmlaw. com.ph.