There is an irresponsible sector within the middle class that can do great harm to our country. It is made up of people who are either so disgusted with the Estrada administration that they are unwilling to see anything good with President Erap or are so ideologically bent on destabilizing the country's democratic institutions that they would not hesitate to launch initiatives that are anathema to democracy. Their ill will against the Erap administration is so overwhelming that anyone who says anything good about President Erap is immediately berated, cursed, and vilified.
Every now and then, as a way of boosting the nation's morale, I write about the inspiring happenings in our midst, initiated by President Erap. When I do this, I am deluged with letters, from here and abroad, denouncing me as an "Erap apologist." And when I have the chance to break bread with Jinggoy Estrada, and I write about my chance meeting with the presidential son, the hate mail from the anti-Erap sector within the middle class is disturbing.
The anti-Erap sector has a strong weapon that it has been using to unnerve the Erap administration -- the text message and the Internet. The Erap critics can easily spread rumors and fiction that can, for a brief period of time, shake the economic and political foundations of our nation. The report about Pope John Paul II's death, and more recently, the impending collapse of two banks are two instances of how irresponsible people can do great damage to national stability.
Serious attention should be given by the think-tank of President Erap on how to cope with the techniques and strategies being applied by the "destabilizers" within the middle class. Certainly, there must be a popular, democratic, and non-violent way of dealing with this existing phenomena. Concerned citizens, who want to work and live in an environment of stability, are keeping their fingers crossed that, sooner or later, our country will find a way out of the country's current stormy weather.
It is a pity that the card, with the words OPERA as it was Perform'd at the Kings Theatre written on the cover, did not carry the name of the kind donor. I surmise the donor is a lady, because the handwriting is so well crafted and easy to read. It would have been nice if I could have publicly acknowledged her kindness.
Well, anyway, the donor, who underwent 19 months of dialysis and was eventually gifted with a new kidney from her brave and loving brother IGA, sent to me a box filled with anti-hypertension medicines. She had received the medicines from Dr. Rosalina See-Prats, a generous US-based doctor, when she was still being dialized.
At the last Tuesday Club meeting at EDSA Shangri-La, a statuesque, good-looking lady named Arlene Arce walked in with Belle Abaya. Arlene had with her a big carton containing plastic cans of what must be the most delicious ice cream in the country, more delicious than the imported and costly ice creams being peddled in groceries and five-star hotels. Yes, Arlene's ice cream is named Arce, the well-known, luscious, delicious, finest, and sweetest ice cream in this part of the world.
Arlene asked the Tuesday Club members to taste the Arce Ice Cream she brought along with her. Durian, atis, macapuno, vanilla and other flavors elicited "Ahh, ka-sarap" and "Isa pa nga" sighs from the newsmen and personages gathered at EDSA Shangri-La. Before the Tuesday Club members broke up, they asked Arlene to return, again and again, to the Tuesday Club, with samples of the sweetest, finest and most delicious Arce Ice Cream that they had ever tasted. As Conrad Banal would say, "Arce You In My Dreams!"
Here are excerpts of letters I received during the past several days:
BEN A. RARA, 5th Floor, S&L Building, Esteban-De la Rosa Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati: "In your column, you mentioned an excellent speech delivered by Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco during the FEU commencement exercises in March 1999. I wonder if you would be kind to share a copy of that speech so that I can also share it with my family and friends, especially the young."
BRENDA LEE MUNOZ, Office of the Vice President, PICC, CCP Complex, Pasay City: "May God whose love is everywhere bless you everyday, especially on your special day, for being what you always are and so nice in every way. Thank you very much for helping me to be in this wonderful job. I wouldn't be here where I am now had it not been for your generosity."
Mayor LUCINO M. REBAMONTAN, San Julian, Eastern Samar: "Sometime in 1994, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines made arrangements with a Japanese supplier for the importation of secondhand cars for the official use of municipal mayors. My predecessor managed to acquire one, a Subaru. I was told the problem was that the cars, in two big shipments, were apparently smuggled into the country. Anyway, after he paid for the cars, the importer vanished, along with the imported papers. So, the cars could be not registered with the LTO. I have no official vehicle, and my private car bogged down last week, thus effectively and terribly curtailing my mobility. The body of the Subaru is still good, only the engine has to be replaced with a Japanese model, for me to be able to use it. Please help me with LTO, if there's a way this RP car could be registered?"
ELMER G. CATO, foreign service officer and special assistant to the chairman, VFA Commission: "The Sapni Ng Crissot Literary and Cultural Foundation sought my assistance in getting in touch with prominent columnists who could help in promoting their latest project -- the recording of selected Capampangan songs. They would like to request if you could mention the project in your column for the information of our fellow Capampangans."
JOSE MIGUEL D. ACOSTA, JR., <jmda@skyinet.net>: "I would like to know how I can get a copy of the brochure Home Brewed Cancer, which was sent to you by Mr. Antonio S. Uy. I am interested in finding out what these home-brewed cancers are and their causes. Thanks a lot for informing us of things that greatly affect our lives. It is in this way that you become an effective journalist by influencing the way you readers live."
Art A. Borjal's e-mail address: <jwalker@tri-isys.com>