The Impossible Dream

This column joins the whole country as it continues to mourn the passing of former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, a great man who in his simple and modest ways brought greatness to this nation. His was a Presidency that strengthened democratic institutions and brought stability and prosperity to the economy. It was during his term that the Philippines became respected and recognized once again in the international community, rising from being the so-called “sick man of Asia” to becoming the “rising tiger of Asia”.

In the midst of the tributes, accolades, and stories that have been shared since his death on June 24, we see a great modern-day Filipino whose heroism was in the integrity, decency, and dedication with which he served the Filipino people. He not only lived up to his parents’ legacy, but he gave the ordinary Filipino reason to hope and to dream again. His accomplishments may have been underappreciated and unrecognized while he was alive, but his death is now bringing the nation to reflect on the great sacrifices he and his family have made for our country. He took bold steps in his anti-corruption campaign, running after tax evaders and sending to jail his predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and three other senators. He also defied China by suing it before an international tribunal. His vision was clear and consistent: for him, it was always the country and the Filipinos first (especially the poor), above all else. No other President in recent times has shown such deep love for the country and for the Filipino people. He dreamed and lived, as it were, the impossible dream. How fitting that this was the song played as he was being laid to rest. To pay tribute to this great leader we have lost, let me, therefore, quote once more the lyrics of this song here:

To dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong

To love pure and chaste from afar

To try when your arms are too weary

To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest

To follow that star

No matter how hopeless

No matter how far

To be willing to give, when there’s no more to give,

To be willing to die so that honor and justice may live.

To fight for the right

Without question or pause

To be willing to march into hell

For a heavenly cause

And I know

If I’ll only be true

To this glorious quest

That my heart

Will lay peaceful and calm

When I’m laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this

that one man scorned and covered with scars

Still strove, with his last ounce of courage

To reach the unreachable,star.

Rest now, President Noy, “mission accomplished”!

TRIVIA:

Belated birthday greetings to Ex-Mayor John Bongat who celebrated his birthday last June 24, 2021.

Birthday greetings, too for Executive Judge Erwin Virgilio Ferrer, RTC Naga/Camarines Sur who will celebrate his birthday on July1, 2021.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“I AM WILLING TO DIE FOR THE FILIPINO; I AM WILLING TO LIVE FOR THE FILIPINO; AND IN A SPECIAL WAY, I AM WILLING TO FIGHT FOR THE FILIPINO” - BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO III

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“GREATER LOVE HAS NO ONE THAN THIS THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SAKE OF HIS FRIENDS.” -JOHN 15:13