It has been a week now since the peace in Myanmar was disrupted by a coup, not by civilian politicians but by the military! So now they say that the country is under “Martial law”. Ah, but it is a lot different from the Martial Law we had known. In their case, it was the military that took over and, certainly, what they are going through now is nothing like our version. For the entire week, protestors have been marching to show their disagreement with the type of governance, but obviously, their military has other plans.
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What must be a hopeful sign for the people there is that countries like the United States and Great Britain have shown concern over their situation, but one wonders what they will do to help the people get back their former state of affairs. And what will the United States and other countries do to help the Myanmar citizens regain the form of government they were used to? One wonders how this came to pass in that country. Maybe they have not been invaded by the COVID 19 that could have made them unite against a common enemy?
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So the chances of the Olympic games being staged this time are dimmer than ever? As I write this, news on TV announced that the organizing chief of the international games had resigned. The other members of the organizing committee had been hoping to go on with the games despite the pandemic, but these recent developments make it seem unlikely that they will. What a pity, because the games would have made a welcome distraction to all the problems the world has to cope with these days.
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In the United States, attention is focused on the impeachment cases against their former president, Donald Trump. Of course it puzzles other people why impeachment cases are being filed against someone who is no longer in office, but their laws are different from ours. Or maybe it is in the definition of the word where we differ? The latest news from there is that the defense lawyers of Trump are expected to respond with their defense, but they have declared that it will be a very “short” one. What could that imply?
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In this day and age! In Panay, a man was reportedly killed because he was suspected to be an “aswang” or “witch!” That must have happened in some remote area, but it is still likely to happen in places where people are still superstitious and take such matters seriously. The report was flashed on TV but not much in details were given. It’s a pity that to this day, there are still people who believe in such superstitions, to the point that they would take someone’s life for it.
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Meanwhile, much missed in Bacolod City is the celebration of the Chinese festival named “Bacolaodiat” that had become very popular since it was initiated in the city a few years ago. The colorful celebration had been adding a lot to the attractions of the city, but as with other celebrations, the advent of the coronavirus a.k.a. COVID, has spoiled the fun that it had added to the colorful “fiestas” of the city. Well, let us wait until COVID has been conquered and expect what some friends of mine call a “Bonggacious” celebration.
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COVID or no COVID, lovers still take chances by looking for flower shops to buy bouquets or corsages for their sweethearts and news reports say that flowers from Dangwa and Baguio are still in demand, in fact, starting with the past week. Well, nothing can beat flowers, especially roses, when it comes to expressing one’s admiration and, of course, love. I don’t know if other schools practiced this also but when I was in elementary grades, our teachers made us pin flowers on our collars on Mother’s Day, later renamed Parents’ Day.
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There were symbols in the choice of flowers, too. Those whose parents were both living must wear two red flowers pinned on their collars. Those with only one parent living pin one white and one red blossom, and those completely orphaned, wear two white ones. Now that Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, may I share this jingle a naughty friend from the Manila media once shared with me? It said “Roses are red/ Violets are blue/ God made me handsome/ What happened to you?”
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!*
