When the unexpected happens

When the first photos and reports on Hurricane Sandy appeared, it was hard to believe this was happening in invincible America. Blackouts, flooded streets, dark houses, people running to safety with only their clothes or being hauled into trucks to be brought to evacuation centers. This was not America. This was third world.  

But there it was, something completely unexpected happening before our eyes and the enemy was nature. As one quip said “Disasters are the new normal.” Which means it is time to accept there will be no going back to predictable times.

Still, the news was not all grim. Just to show you how big America was, while the superstorm was happening in the East Coast, my friends and relatives were sending me Halloween pictures on “the other side of town.” My sister and cousins sent pictures with a background of differently dressed pumpkins. Ditto from a niece and her children in Los Angeles all dressed up for trick or treat. It reminded me just how many Filipinos have made the United States their home.

*      *      *

It looks like hurricane Sandy has given the edge to President Barack Obama. As the president toured with Romney’s close ally New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, all discussion between the rival powers of the state and federal were shelved aside. “We are here for the long haul,” President Barack Obama told the distraught victims of Sandy. “We are here for you and we will not forget.” No campaign promises necessary for that. With the state devastated, the federal government has to be in New Jersey and in a big way. 

With just six days from the election, there would be no campaign gimmick or tactic more powerful than the need for the incumbent US government to take charge.

President Obama paid the federal card to the hilt. He spoke of steps that can only be undertaken by federal government — supply generators and water wherever these are needed and use military planes and navy ships when these have to be moved around.

I like especially what he called the “15 minute rule.” which the Aquino government is well advised to emulate. His staff had to follow the 15 minute rule to respond to any state or local official who calls within that time frame. ‘‘If they need something, we figure out a way to say yes,’’ he said.

A rising Romney follower and past Obama critic New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was humbled.

‘‘I cannot thank the president enough for his personal concern and compassion,’’ he said with Obama at his side.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, following Christie’s suit announced that he, too would be endorsing Obama. He said Hurricane Sandy has “reshaped his thinking.” An independent, Bloomberg had criticized both Obama and Romney saying the candidates had failed to address the problems of the nation.

But with the mayhem and destruction after Sandy, he has decided that Mr. Obama was “the better candidate to tackle the global climate change,” he told New York Times.

*      *      *

Like the Philippine election, the American election is also beset with concerns on the use of electoral machines. Mitt Romney’s links with the firm providing the voting machines has been put into question. The machines will be used to tally the ballots in the state of Ohio that will be a crucial battleground for votes. Because it is a tight race, there are concerns on voter fraud.

Salon magazine which reported the link said there were “extensive corporate ties between the Mitt Romney camp” and Hart InterCivic, the voting-machine provider that will be used to count the votes in Ohio, and the other key swing states of Colorado and Virginia. Reports in the US media since the end of last month have linked the company to Mr. Romney’s campaign donors and his son Tagg.” Washington Post echoed the same concern.

Meanwhile Filipino activists in Facebook have taken up a more vigorous campaign against the use of Smartmatic PCOS in the May 2013 election. They are enlisting the help of everyone who truly want an honest and transparent election. Up to today, the concerns on the machines have not been addressed. There will be many who are privy to information on these machines and how they were used in May 2010.

*      *      *

I am sorry that I was not able to go to the 2012 concert last Oct. 24 of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. Raffy Evangelista, one of the organizers of the concert said, “you missed a great performance.” More important I learned that it was also for a great cause and one that we should all encourage and support.

The concert, “A Grand Night for Singing, A Tribute to the Philippine Veteran,” is being urged to have a repeat performance for the many who would have wanted to go.

“With this concert we honor all Filipino veterans of all wars. If we are free today, if we are independent today, if we are a democracy today, it is because of the men and women in uniform who have risked both life and limb for us and our children. And many of those we honor have, in fact, paid the ultimate price with their lives for the sake of others. Dare we forget their sacrifice?” Evangelista told the audience.

The DBC seeks to create a culture of “Veteranism” where the Philippine veteran is sacrosanct and his memory is sacred.

For the concert, the group gathered young and gifted artists as ambassadors of goodwill for the propagation of veteranism. The artists are all volunteers who give their talent and time for the cause. Overall director for the concert was Fritz Ynfante with the musical direction of Jonaf del Fierro.

“We have selected young artists for this concert because it is the generation of the young after all that is primarily charged with remembering why today we are free and independent, and live in a democracy.”

He welcomed the audience to an artistically gratifying tribute to our heroes in uniform courtesy of the DBC, the PVAO, and other sponsors of the show.