All is set for tomorrow’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Noynoy Aquino. Expectations and frustrations would again be criss-crossing between P-Noy’s cohorts  and critics. But expect some lighter moments when an array and display of SUV’s and a la mode suits and gowns litter the entrance lobby of the Batasan Pambansa. The top government bureaucracy would all be there — all in one place — representatives of their respective constituencies and the Filipino people. All eyes, mind and applause shall all be focused on President Aquino as he mounts the podium and lays on the table the “state” of the nation.
But will he touch at least, on the “soul” of this nation?
Traditional platonic-scholastic philosophy would define the soul as the dynamic principle and substance of man. It would be the defining principle of man which makes him different from all other creatures. The soul’s essential interiority at times buries itself into oblivion in the consciousness of the dynamic being or person, but can readily surge to the surface if necessary, especially when the person ventures into open spirituality or at least maneuver into the world of spirits and meanings provoked or motivated by some sort of incidental vehement impulse.
The country today is on the “brink of war” as the gateways are open for possible shooting exchange where a probable accidental firing may no longer be an excuse to parry off direct hostility. China may not declare an open war against this country as the global community would charge the giant Panda of hegemony and aggression. Even the international community commiserates with the underdog. Of course, there is Uncle Sam and Asean that would surely give China too much headache if they start kicking our butts. However, the war game has undergone a lot of modifications and forms. We can still bite the bullet or take it into our bodies.
However, this early, the country should start searching and surging its national soul, its dynamic principle that would evoke seriously and immediately the spirit of patriotism, nationalism, unity and sacrifice among our people, especially the youth, maximizing whatever idealism is left beyond their Facebooks, Twitters, gimmicks,  i-phones and i-pads, among others.
At the moment, geographical sovereignty is at stake as Chinese vessels using fishing boats as front continue to surround our sovereign waters. Whether this is a psy-war or for real, still it remains a threat to our autonomy and pride as a country and people.
We may not be prepared or will ever be to engage China in battle but our minds and hearts should be. And it all begins by evoking our national soul.
It is suicidal to engage a Goliath with a sling shot, but the boyish David relied on his choice of fine pebbles and his faith in God and his diehard Jewish nationalism. He knew the soul of his people which made him in biblical history as Israel’s greatest king.
But will our “little David” from Malacañang choose the finest pebbles that would hit China in the forehead or at least possess the heart of a real patriot or nationalist? Does he have a history of such Filipino disposition espoused with authenticity by our past nationalists?
Or is he just a mere government functionary who happened to be the son of a well loved couple and catapulted to the presidential seat? In fact, even Asean members in coffee shops in Cambodia are quipping over sips that if the Philippines didn’t mishandle diplomatically the issue with China, then it would be easier for Asean to issue the joint communiqué that could have gained some leverage for us.
As we come closer to a real head on collision with China, this is where the real and experienced drivers should come around who would steer clear this country from “clear and present danger”. We may be closing in towards our country’s defining moment, but would that “definition” be P-Noy’s? Or at least can he stir or evoke the national soul?
There is hope, anyway that there would be a soul in the state of the nation.