10 Most Important News of 2008

(Posted Jan. 5, 2009 at bebongpating.multiply.com)

Hear ye, hear ye! There is nothing more joyous than going forward when all the past has been broken by several unnerving instances of despotic demise. But then again, why the sudden rush of moving forward when we all can look back, learn from the past (cliche, boo!), cherish good times and well, conceal bad times. Here's my own version of the top ten news but instead made it, 10 Most Important News of 2008. Why important? Probably because at one point, these stories have created tremors in your living room, talked about even by the smallest pea brain man who circulated a story that we weren't going to retreat, discussed by politicians, peddlers, foresters, horticulturists, CPA's, lawyers. These stories take a toll on everyday exchange of words in at least three-quarters of this country.

THE COUNTDOWN:

10. The Taj Hotel Terrorism - One of the most exhilarating terrorist act, the Taj Hotel story has had the likings of an action movie without the "bida" material. With the scare that it has created, it is undeniably been the talk of the town for almost more than a week. Fact: Only one of the terrorists camped inside the hotel was arrested and taken into custody, the rest rested with the Creator.

9. Jocelyn "Joc-joc" Bolante Returns - After the brief exposure of the so-called "Euro Generals," Joc-joc took the limelight and returned from his failed political asylum and went directly for "medication." His return to the Senate hearings proved to be futile as the branded concoction master did not divulge anything useful for the investigation. The floatation of runners, company beneficiaries, political beneficiaries, etc. also proved futile for the hearings in aid of legislation. What probably was the most useful data taken was that at the height of his arrival, he insanely lost a cellphone (which was probably stupidity to lose a form of communication) and for crissakes your p-a-s-s-p-o-r-t (which was again a case of extreme stupidity because you just came out of the immigration and your first instinct is to hold it or to put it in the nearest bag). Indeed, this story was for the records. Probably every Filipino has thrown the word "Joc-joc" either as a serious verbal tussle (with friends and foes alike) or as a reverberating joke (talk about homonyms).

8. Supreme Court junks MoA-AD - The madly rushed MoA-AD supposed to be signed in Malaysia between GRP (Government of the Republic of the Philippines) and MILF was junked and later declared as unconstitutional including the grave abuse of discretion by the peace panel and drafters headed by the Presidential (probably this should be pestilential) Adviser on the Peace Process. It was also called "whimsical, capricious, oppressive, arbitrary and despotic" especially to the "would-be" people of this separate juridical entity. This MoA-AD and BJE concept is insanely chilling to the people in the south who will be covered by this madman feudal reclassification. Not only it presupposes sentiments of those in the area, it ultimately assumes independence which is gravely unacceptable within the framework of our Constitution.

7. The cha-cha juggle - The Congress (read: administration solons) wants it jointly, the Senate wants it separately, ladies and gentlemen, the people HATE it. The mere sound of the the pre-election cha-cha is a cymbal clapping in the mind of Juan dela Cruz. Not now, never before 2010. If I may borrow, the whimsical and capricious inducement to railroad cha-cha before 2010 is gravely insulting the intelligence of every Filipino. Not only it railroads term extension, it injects a stifling "cure" to the economic substance our 1987 Constitution has. In fact, many of the thinking citizens believe that the cha-cha before 2010 is a ploy to extend the term of the beleaguered Malacanang tenant. What do you think?

6. Israeli-Hamas stalemate - Certainly the late-breaker among the news, this fist-fighting galore is one for the records, closest to new year and most sudden. The Hamas, being the "aggressor" according to Israeli military, freakishly drew first blood (literally!). On the other hand, the defender, Israeli government seem to copycat that of our own AFP (but with better technology of course). I haven't really followed this story so sorry for the literary circumvention.

5. Jun Lozada shines but lacked intensity to remain - The so-called star of all witnesses came out in the open with candid words like "Moderate your greed" and "Probinsyanong intsik." He spelled kickback using only 6 letters "NBN-ZTE." This story almost drew another EDSA but lacked the longevity of a true expose and one moment, many of us forgot how he backtracked attacks on the early part, how he subdued the administration solons by issuing funny statements with a statesman intelligence. But now, he is a forgotten hero who have somehow unleashed a brand-new battalion of thinking Filipinos. When will our thinking last?

4. Pacquiao conquers three - The Pambansang Kamao got back to avenge his controversial draw with Juan Manuel Marquez and went out handful. He took the 130-lb. title and later on planned to take down David Diaz at the 135-lb. division. He did not blink. Neither did I, but I dropped my jaw when Diaz fell. I didn't see a punch but when the television station did the slow-mo, f*ck he punched him that fast! Many thought Manny was overhyped but he proved them wrong when he went to a class he was so unfamiliar with. And he drew the killer punch to knock the title holder in no time. But his rampage did not stop from there. He accepted the 147-lb. deal to fight in that class. He was called crazy and completely "underdogged." And he wasn't fighting a kid, he will be fighting the Golden Boy. Up to the last second before the first bell, Pacquiao is the underdog. Still he was called crazy. But after 8 rounds of boxing, the naysayers cut off their tongues and scrambled with their lost wagers. Golden Boy wasn't golden anymore, Pacman was brilliant.

3. Moscow fiasco - I personally loved this story. Generals going to an Interpol GA with their wives (understandably they must be there for socialization) with 105,000 euros more or less as pocket money. In cold cash? That is what we call paperless transaction. Funny. Do I need to say more? Millions of Filipino dying of hunger while some people pocketing money from our taxes. It must be important for them, but it must me important for us!

2. Barrack, the first black president in White House - Probably the title was a bit discriminating but nonetheless it is catchy. With one of the most tight nomination races in Democratic history, Barrack outshone Hillary in the Democrat nomination. He went head on with a more prepared McCain. He went battleground states with more wit and intelligence. His policies were more apparent than the GOP candidate. At the last moment, Republicans hit him everywhere but government policies. On election day, he won landslide. It was unprecedented. Many Filipinos in the US are still squabbling to find words. Others were not happy. Some liked the idea of "killing" racial discrimination.

1. The Big "R" - This is undeniably the most important story. The US recession cut jobs for most Filipinos. And the lay-offs did not only stay in US, it reverberated to some parts of the Middle East and Europe. Many companies employing Filipinos showed high exposure to financial meltdown. The series of bail-outs weren't enough to topple the downfall. It did cushion the impact but really was not enough. Now we are waiting in the Philippines if the tsunami of the Big "R" will hit our shores.