Shafts of sunlight in the dark horizon - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

Congressional approval of the Omnibus Power Bill came at a time when our country needed it most. With so many negative items coming out of the Philippines in the eyes of the international community, news that would naturally dishearten tourists and foreign investors, the passage of the Omnibus Power Bill is a bright shaft of sunlight that can help lure back investments into our country.

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The passage of the Omnibus Power Bill is a demonstration of bipartisanship in Congress. It also shows political will on the part of the country’s leaders, especially President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. That she and her Cabinet members, together with Senate and House leaders, were able to shepherd the Power Bill through Congress is a sign of national unity, something that will be taken notice of by businessmen and investors from various parts of the world.

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In the case of Philippine tourism, it is pathetic that the budget for promoting the Philippines as a tourist destination is a measly $600,000. In other countries like Thailand and Singapore, millions of dollars are spent for tourism. Even Vietnam, which used to be way behind us in the area of tourism, is beginning to attract more visitors: 2.2 million a year, as against the Philippines’ 1.7 million.

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What is ironic is that the Philippines has a better product to offer than most other places like Hong Kong or Singapore, or even Thailand. As former Tourism Secretary Antonio "Tony" Gonzalez used to say, we have the sun, the sea, and so many other beautiful things. Of course, our most attractive product are the Filipino people: friendly, hospitable, easy to communicate with.

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We also have the foundations of the tourism infrastructure needed for a robust tourist industry. All that is needed is to spruce up and improve these existing infrastructures. The money that will be spent for this purpose will more than be offset by the deluge of visitors that will be dropping by our country. This assumes, of course, that we will be able to wipe out the terrorist scourge called the Abu Sayyaf.

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What happened to Palawan as a result of the Dos Palmas hostage-taking is tragic. Never before, except probably during the times of sea bandits in the 19th century, has such an incident been experienced in this beautiful tourist destination. I say this to underscore that the Dos Palmas incident is very isolated, one that will most probably never happen again within this decade. Which means that Palawan should remain as a major tourist attraction in our country.

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I used to be a frequent visitor to Puerto Princesa in Palawan. And how I enjoyed staying in a city with a very rural setting. Imagine having dinner in a restaurant that looked like a barn, with a country singer singing country songs. And in Puerto Princesa, there is no polluted air, no thieves and robbers, and plenty of fresh air all day long. But what I found most distinctive about Puerto Princesa and Palawan was the friendliness of the people.

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At that time, everyone knew everyone in Puerto Princesa. And the Palaweños were really friendly and hospitable. One could hire a tricycle for a day – and the fee charged by the driver would be a measly P150. I do not know now whether times have dramatically changed in Puerto Princesa. Have the ugly vices of the big cities descended upon this quaint Christian city in the middle of an ocean? I sincerely hope not.

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Those photographs of scores of people in Metro Manila queueing up for water dripping from old water hoses remind you of Bangladesh, or of very poor Third World countries mired in backwardness. Is it possible that our beloved Philippines can now be counted among those truly antiquated, poverty-stricken Third World countries in Asia and Africa?

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Waterless communities. Traffic jams. Polluted air. Beggars and street children. Jampacked prisons. Squatter shanties. Dilapidated public utility buses and jeepneys. Headless corpses. Flooded streets. Anarchy in the streets. When will these images ever be erased in Metro Manila and other urban centers of our country? Hopefully soon, if we are to attract investments and tourists into our country.

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Susan Torres passed on to me this piece entitled Promise Yourself:

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on for greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time for the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

And while you are at it, believe in your heart that God is always with you.

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And here are some text messages that I got from throughful people like Tony "Atty. Aga" Arellano, Ber & Belen Pacheco, Rey Rivera, Bong Cruz, Noli Agcaoili, and Elmer Yanga:

Sunrise always brings us new hope,
new light to a darkened dream.
Most impt, it tells us to forget
pains of the past and to start a new life.
Good morning!!!

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Jesus’ private place is in ur heart.
Wen u’r troubled n hv no 1 to turn 2,
jst hold on 2 God’s luvin hands.
He’s always der 2 lift u up.
A plsnt day n Godlbs!

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I’ll walk this day in faith, dear Lord.
No foe, no storm I’ll fear,
but trusting in your precious word,
I’m safe for You are near.
Gud AM!

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Life isn’t always the way we want it to be.
What matters is we live with good intentions
and provide happiness for others.
Gud AM!

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My e-mail addresses: <[email protected]> and <[email protected]>