JUBILATION, HOPE AND FAITH, RELUCTANCE

In less than 12 hours from now, history will once again unfold in our country which claimed freedom more than a hundred years ago and yet seems to be still struggling for freedom until this very day. June 30th of the year 2010 will mark another milestone as each Filipino will welcome the inauguration of Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III as the 15th President of our Republic. Noy-noy (as he is fondly called) or P-Noy's (as he assumes office tomorrow at high noon) inauguration symbolizes something to each and everyone of us - for some it is a joyful occassion, a brilliant jubilation, to some they look forward with anticipation and as they hope for the best and with faith they cling on to the promises made by Noy-noy during his campaign sorties, and to some there is that reluctance in their hearts as to the capacity of Noy-noy to lead the country towards the change that he promised.

BRILLIANT JUBILATION. Nine years and finally the rule of the Iron Woman - Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. For some they consider tomorrow's inauguration as a celebration that after those nine years of GMA's rule, change will finally come. Nine years of lies to the people, deception of what the truth us, stealing the people's money, gratification of only themselves, injuastice, inhumane decisions, corruption. Isn't tomorrow's inauguration of P- Noy indeed a jubilation for all Filipinos who saw how the country has suffered and how the country has been to put shame in the international arena? Indeed, tomorrow is a celebration of a successful practice of the people's right for suffrafe who also for the first were able to vote through an automated election. It is indeed something to celebrate! We were able to conclude a somehow successful election maybe free of doubts. It was never an we easy task to hold the first automated election. Some doubted the capability of our country to do so, some questioned the machines, some questioned the results, and some until this very cannot accept the defeat. And yet, I believe we have emerged victorious in this quest to automate the elections, though it still a work in progress to iron out some issues and yet we did it! Tomorrow, will be indeed a celebration of victory, of freedom, of change, of being a TRUE FILIPINO.

HOPE AND FAITH. Each and every Filipino is hoping that P-Noy will do greater things for this country and change the face of politics in our nation. With much reforms and a major overhaul in the way our country is being run, the challenge is for P-Noy to prove himself worth of the people's votes. People are hoping and they have great faith in this man that he can and he will make all the efforts to make the lives of every Filpino comfortable or at least bearable. From inequality to injustice to human rights violation to taxation to public transport, P-Noy needs to make the right calls in order to move this country forward. Each and every Filipino is hoping for that those promises that he made will nor remain as promises but these will be implemented and each one will feel that the man they voted for has really made a change. It also matters that P-Noy is the son of the Democracy Icon - Pres. Corazon Aquino and martyred Sen. Ninoy Aquino both died with the country in their hearts. A tough lead indeed to follow but the people have that faith in him and so they look forward that for the next six years, P-Noy will not fail them.

RELUCTANCE. On the other side of the coin, other people are reluctant especially with the capability of the incoming Chief. They think that this man has not proven himself enough in the lower and upper house wherein he was a member for quite number of years. They question his capacity to lead. They question the reforms that he is about to make. The question the choices that he made especially with choosing his cabinet members. They question the decision that he made especially with those executives who were said to have accepted the midnight appointments. They question his lifestyle which included smoking which might not be good for the country's chief. They question they way his family intervenes with his decisions. They question his ability to separate himself and be fair especially when it comes with the issues of land distribution. They question his ability to stand alone and not be influenced by other people.

P-Noy's inauguration tomorrow will indeed mark another part ikn our country's history. A man who promised change and the right way. A man who promised to irradicate corruption in the country. Yes, there are many who may be reluctant and may be doubtful about how he will manage the country based on his experiences. Yes, there are some who may be already criticizing him even before he sets foot in the Palace. But June 30 brings us the change as a country to unite and rally behind the new Commander-in-Chief. We are hoping that he will do his best for his country and none for his personal gain and with faith not on the person but on our God we pray that the man He appointed for this daunting task will strive and persevere for the people who not only voted for him but for the country who deserves to have a leader with a passion for excellence, commitment for truth and love for our country.

CHANGE AND MOVING FORWARD: Toy Story 3

Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher clearly stated it - "Nothing endures but change." Translated into a more present wording - "The only constant thing is change." It seem that Disney Pixar's Toy Story 3 took the challenge of reminding us of this philosophy once more though I believe each and everyone of us has experienced this somehow and at some point in our lives. Yes, change - be it expected or unexpected. Change is something that we have to deal with.

Disney Pixar treats us to this delightful movie treat as they cap the saga of the toys and their friend Andy. The story takes off years after the Toy Story 2. After years these toys have been played with, Andy has finally grown and is ready to face the new chapter in his life - entering college. As such the toys are already feeling the change that has come to Andy since they were rarely picked from the pile to be played with. And worst, they are facing the dilemma of being thrown away, donated, and completely forgotten by the boy that they loved and who now is a young gentleman who is about to go to college. The movie takes us to ride of emotions as they get entangled in a series of events meeting new toys at a Day Care center which ends up to be a place of cruelty too. The ride continues as they escape the Day Care where they are treated differently and at the same as they struggle to be with each other amidst the eminent disaster that they are facing. The toys go on a ride to finally get home to Andy and just to realize that Andy had enough of them already. Enough in the sense that he indeed is a grown young man and he is to face things without them for now.

I though the movie was so heartbreaking and so dark not for kids to watch. The plot at the Day Care center with those kind of toys with hatred is so dark for me and yes, has a very touchy issue. Over all I learned from the movie two things. 1) Change is something not to be feared. Yes, change is something which will eventually blow your mind off as you think of what might happen. But it is in taking the challenge of a new chapter wherein one's character will be molded and new discoveries can be made. 2) Move forward. I believe moving on is different from moving forward. Sometimes you move on but we still have those heartaches in our heart or even hatred which still has a strong grip. These things will never bring us anywhere and make us successful if we continue to hold on to these things. Let go and move forward.

(Spoiler Alert) I felt so bad with Andy letting go of all his toys (you read that right, all including his well-loved Woody). And yet when we realize that through this change, he has made someone happy. And so as with Woody, Jesse, Buzz, Mr & Mrs Potato, Hamm, Rex and the rest of the gang. The story touched home as sometimes each of us doesn't know that we have been clinging so much on to something not realizing that it's time to let go already.

It's 2-thumbs up for this movie and for Disney Pixar - I am in awe by the kind of movies that you make! For now I am letting go Toy Story and rest assured I will seek to defy gravity and aim for infinity and beyond! :)