Slide

Chapter 41: The Speech That Killed Him

HINDI MAHULUGANG KARAYOM ang dami ng mga tao sa grandstand na pagdadausan ng oath-taking ni Virgo. Nakapalibot ang mga reporters, photographers at videographers nakumakatawan sa media. Pabalik-balik sa paglilibot ang buong security team na nakatalaga, maging ang mga kapulisan para siguraduhing magiging matiwasay ang event na nagsimula sa pag-sworn-in ng newly-elected Vice President, mula sa kalabang partido, na si Norman Rosendo. Nung palapit na ang oras ng oath takin niya, doon na tuluyang bumaha ng mga tao. Maraming kumakaway na mga flaglets at banner na may pangalan o mukha ni Virgo.

There were drum rolls, playing of 4 Ruffles and Flourishes, honor guards and 21 gun salute for him and the man he will replace as Philippines' president— Timoteo Asis. Bumaba sila mula sa presidential car, makisig sa kanilang mga barong, at doon na tumindi ang mga hiyawan at palakpakan.

Naghalo-halo ang reaksyon ng mga tao nang makita siya. Masaya, masigla at masigabo ang palakpakan at hiyawan, ngunit may sumingit na pag-Boo at ilang panghahamak sa pagkakalulok sa pwesto bilang pangulo.

Hindi nakaligtas sa kanyang pandinig ang pagsigaw ng ilan ng Hindi makatarungan!, Anak ng Corrupt!, Mandaraya!

Sinamantala naman iyon ng media para mabigyan ng ibang anggulo ang ire-report ukol sa event. Ngunit nanatili siyang kalmado. Years of rehearsal made him insensitive to these people's remarks. Years of experience made him strong.

Something he wished Bree has learned, if only she had been with the right people early on in her life.

Virgo believed one thing that Bree didn't— that what majority of the people say is not always the truth. A reason why after the elections, people stay disappointed. Nadadala sila sa sinasabi ng majority kung sino ang pinaka-magaling, kung sino ang karapat-dapat.

Then their expectations were proven wrong.

And who do they blame?

Other voters or the person they elected, but never themselves.

Kaya kung iniisip ni Bree na hindi sapat ang galing nito dahil kakaunti lang ang nakakapansin... nagkakamali roon ang dalaga...

But Virgo cannot just tell her that. It is in human's nature to see or experience first, before they believe something. Words are not always easily believed in despite their power.

Tumugtog ang Lupang Hinirang, at nagpaalamanan ang Armed Forces of the Philippines kasama ang mga mataas na opisyales nito sa paalis na dating pangulo. Matapos ang speech ng Dating Pangulo, alinsunod sa tradisyon ang hindi nito pagtapos sa seremonya para umuwi na kaagad sa sarili nitong tahanan.

Then, it was time for Virgo's oath-taking.

"I, Virgo Kristofer Ferdinand, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation...." He paused to look at the wave of people before his very eyes.

The wave of people who were now looking up to him, hoping that this time, they chose the right person to pull them out from poverty and the country's issues.

The wave of people who also shouted insults at him.

The wave of people who probably still doubt him.

"So help me, God," mabigat na pagtatapos niya sa panunumpa bago iyon sinundan ng 21 gun salute at tugtugin ng 4 Ruffles and Flourishes. Then the presidential anthem.

.

.

"YOU MUST BE OUT OF YOUR MIND," wika kay Bree ni Manager Ken habang naglalakad pabalik sa kanyang bahay.