Thinking aloud

There really is no difference with the way things are. Really! People are still back to the usual positioning for the upcoming elections. Parties are a-frenzy with leadership squabbles.  And to date, even if names have been floated, we are still unsure who to take seriously as the pieces of the chessboard are still in disarray. 

It’s entertaining to a certain extent. If we were not to consider the state of our nation and how we will fare in the world economy should our political scene become one big carnival.

But I have never really developed the taste for politics. I find the whole exercise a waste of time. Mudslinging, polishing, and posturing that is. Although I am sure some of those who are deeply into the analytics would disagree with me. Surveys abound, and trends are beginning to point to certain directions. But the managers of the leading survey outfits continue to say that it is too early to really see alignments and there are many issues that cloud the judgement of the Filipinos in their choices. We have to discern more wisely. Study deeply. And vote appropriately. Now propriety may vary, depending on the point of view.

In the midst of all these, COVID cases have began to rise again. Just as we thought the introduction of vaccines could somehow curb the incidence, there remains a slow uptake on the number of cases reported every day. No matter how we ignore it, the rise and fall continues to nag us. And we are caught in mid-step as we began to lift our foot to land on better economic activities.

The much-needed opening of our economy is hampered by the over-confidence and stubbornness of some who do not protect themselves and those around them from the spread of the virus by not following the needed protocols. And there’s more, variants abound. And our fear is it may consume all the Greek alphabets before people take heed and take care!

Furthermore, much as I would have wanted to ignore this, but the “Adobo” standardization for the world to recognize has made me wonder what in heaven’s name is happening to us! Why do we need to do this, and discuss this or even think about this at all. The dish can be made in different ways. All Filipino! It is a cultural thing. Regional if one may say.  And people in our country have different versions. So why the need for a standard for the world to – follow? Come on!

Maybe it would have been better to come up with an Adobo Festival where all kinds of adobo can be showcased. Interpretations of the dish from different regions. It’s just like the bibingka and the budbud or suman in the Philippines. These abound everywhere. All areas staking claim on their version as the best. Truth is, the consumer is the best judge. Oh well!  That’s enough cooking!

Now talking about cooking, something else occupies the incubation kitchen of Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry and our Provincial Department of Trade and Industry as the Sugbo Negosyo program participants are now being evaluated to qualify for the grand finals, which will plough in more capital for the outstanding entrepreneurs. This for me is a more pleasant thing to note. 

The initiative of Cebu  Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, in cooperation with Vice Governor Hilario Davide III and the various board members have pointed us towards  entrepreneurs and their interesting products. The Sugbo Negosyo has highlighted the Cebuano resilience and creativity in the midst of the pandemic, and has shown the Cebuano diskarte has not tarnished amid challenges.  Sulong Sugbuanon!