THE past week, again, has been taxing for me. Sure, I was happy to go away for a long weekend respite with family and friends, I don’t deny it! Spent some time gallivanting and eating as much chicken inasal, molo and all the sweet, tasty cakes and pastries from Bacolod and Iloilo my stomach can possibly hold (and don’t forget the oysters, scallops and Roberto’s king and queen siopao), which was wonderful! I had a great time revisiting places and exploring new ones, taking as many pictures as I could.
But as all good things come to an end, so did my vacation. I went home knowing I will be hit hard with post vacation blues smugly staring me straight in the eye and telling me that my break wasn’t long enough!
The sadder thing about it is the fact that I totally agree. We can never really have enough of these vacations can we? I want an extension, please!!!
You know how it is ones you get home from a vacation, boom! It reality hits you smack in the face. You know well enough that faster than you unpack your stuff, you are back to the daily grind!! Arghh. Of course I am glad to see everyone again, but there are undesirable things too, that come with it. Like bad news.
The worst of them all this week, for me (and probably millions of Filipinos too) was the rejection of DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo by the Commission of Appointments. Horrible news. It was bad enough being on pins and needles the first two times she had to go through it and be rejected but I was still hoping that those people would see the light and really approve her as DSWD Sec. Obviously, that didn’t happen. I guess most of us were bound to be reduced to tears that such a highly efficient woman with a heart for the marginalized has been bypassed for a third time. Days after the unfortunate event, I remain heartbroken, and angry!
I normally try to understand people to the best of my ability and even attempt at times, to put myself in their shoes to get a better grasp of how they see things. Clearly, we cannot possibly know everything and so it helps to try approaching the situation from their perspective, right? But still, what the hell were they thinking rejecting Sec Judy??? Clearly they could see, just like me, that she has the interest of our marginalized fellowmen above everything else? How can they possibly go wrong with her?
Sec Judy approaches issues calmly and objectively which only means she has a a good head on her shoulders. She would have none of those shenanigans past DSWD leaders have so willingly accepted as part of their “standard operating procedures” which, unfortunately often translated to less than acceptable ways of taking care of our people. She sees to it that each peso is well spent and allocated for worthwhile projects that stand to alleviate the harrowing situation of those badly needing care and assistance not only during calamities but also when it is life as usual. Many times I have cried happy tears seeing that the DSWD under her able leadership and the hardworking team that works with her side by side really have our countrymen’s back. For once, I can say that I have experienced how it feels to be proud to know that there exists a government official who spares no expense to really serve the people. She really is a mild-mannered yet hard hitting, no fuss, no nonsense version of our President, and it’s comforting to know that she heads the DSWD.
Not anymore. My heart breaks thinking about the good things that could have continued to come had she been confirmed and allowed to complete her duties as the DSWD Secretary. We have always clamored for public servants who are there to truly serve the people rather than their greedy, personal interests and Sec. Taguiwalo is exactly that. So hell, we lost an exceptional leader who walks the walk and talks the talk.
The past week, our country lost a worthy public official whose dedication to serve the people has allowed the marginalized to live and be treated better. Sayang talaga. Talong-talo ang Pinas dito. It will indeed be difficult to let this slide. How can anyone let this go just like that? Letting Judy go was a bad, bad decision. (I hope those who voted against her REALLY get bad karma a million times over.) I can’t get over it just yet.
My only hope is that this only means better things are up ahead for her in public service. I am sure whatever it is, the Filipino people will truly benefit the most. In the meantime, Maraming Salamat po, Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, your efforts to better the lives of the marginalized Filipino are over the stars and moon. We will never forget that!