State of the Nation's Address

“Destroying the Culture of Wang-Wang; A Start in Attaining the

Culture of Change”

(A Reaction Paper on the 2^nd State of the Nation Address of

His Excellency Pres. Benigno Aquino III)

…Ang panlalamang matapos mangakong maglingkod---iyan po ang utak wang-wang… (Pres. Aquino)

          To inherit the relics of the past government is such a challenging and tough thing to do as a leader of the country. One will not only set a new vision to his constituents but he will also prove a thing we called “change” that definitely did not attain by the formers. Thus, I believe that the content of the Second State of the Nation Address of Pres. Ninoy Aquino the Aquino administration, despite of his first year of service and by all means, is trying to provide the application of such idea.

          Personally, I did not vote for Ninoy last election. It’s not that I do not like him. But during that election time, I was rationally searching someone who can provide and give us something that will perfect the lives of every Filipino people. That is why I voted someone else. However, as time passes by, I see how the Aquino Administration struggles to attain its promises and visions. Indeed, the 2^nd State of the Nation Address of Pinoy was more of a vision. It is something of an action especially in abolishing the culture of “wang-wang”--- a term being coined which means “siren” which is also being used by some government officials in exempting themselves and to acquire advantages from others. Pres. Aquino also used the term as a symbol of abusiveness. Hence, the SONA of the president focused on the idea of removing the culture of wang-wang. In a wider perspective, I see the whole of the SONA in a single main point---“Destroying the Culture of Wang-Wang; A Start in Attaining the Culture of Change”

          I believe that it is an action towards change. The whole context of the SONA was more of uplifting the government’s achievements and accomplishments. But looking it more deeply, P-noy started the action towards change as being postered in his slogan last election, “TUNGO SA MATUWID NA DAAN”. Despite of the inherited government that was ruined by corruption and moral decay, P-noy’s administration is struggling to mend the wounds of the nation. In the different aspects of society, the administration is doing its best to provide what is due for the Filipino people. Thus, I believe that in his simple statement of keeping out the culture of wang-wang, Pres. Aquino is sincere in his fight against the culture of corruption and moral decay in the government.

          In the end, I believe that the SONA was very clear. It emanates from a president’s effort to have a “change” to the lives of every Filipino people. However, this effort will never attained its perfection if and then we are just waiting on what the government can do for us. I believe that we should also do something in return or as a help for the government’s effort in toppling down the culture of poverty that kept on persecuting the lives of every Filipino citizen. STOP THE CULTURE OF “WANG-WANG.”