It is that time of year again.
The President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) has become a much-awaited event among more Filipinos today. For the past two presidents at least, people have paid attention to the words they would say, eager to know what the current leader has been up to, and how he or she plans to tackle the country’s never-ending cycle of problems, along with the new ones.
This time, the country is faced with something it has not yet experienced. For the first time, the president will have to address an international conflict, not just the roiling mass of internal challenges that have made our road to progress steeper, more strewn with obstacles with every year that passes.
Even the global economic recession that plagued many nations during Gloria Arroyo’s time cannot compare with this one, which is proving to be a source of uncertainty for citizens awaiting a definite resolution to the matter.
How each country acts and reacts to the issue will determine how things will proceed. This administration’s recent decision to keep mum about its plans and decisions may be an indication that the President will not reveal more than necessary in this Sona, or at least enough to satisfy our raging curiosity.
As of this writing, it remains conjecture whether President Noynoy Aquino will discuss the situation we have found ourselves in, involving China and a disputed, resources-rich shoal. With what is popularly considered as the “failure” of talks in the Asean meeting of foreign ministers recently, where the  association of 10 Southeast countries were not able to come up with the final statement that would satisfy all its members, the tension has remainaed, the issue a veritable Damocles sword that could rip peaceful relationships.
And since, from all appearances, China has only become more aggressive even as the Philippines typically has chosen a less volatile path no matter how perceptions  deem our sovereignty seriously challenged, our country appears to be in a precarious position.
Nobody wants for this tug-of-war to erupt into something less of a tug and more of a push.
We have seen wars continue to destroy lives and tear people apart in other parts of the world — it is certainly something no one in Asia wants to see this side of the ocean.
At this point, however, peace hangs in the balance as the more powerful China has made its presence felt in the region, challenging not just our country, but three others in the Asean. With regional peace and economic considerations hanging in the balance, this administration’s efforts to clean up the government and at the same time set the proper foundations in place so that the country will be able to compete economically with its Asian neighbors have somehow become moot.
What the times call for are strong, decisive moves to raise confidence among the people, and at the same time specific goals and plans that will yield results quickly.
For today’s Sona, President Aquino may report about his administration’s achievements in the past year. He may enumerate the goals they have met, and elaborate about the Supreme Court leadership, of which candidates for the position of the impeached Renato Corona are currently being evaluated. He may talk about the inroads made with education, health and the economy. He may talk about jobs and easing poverty. He may assure us that the country will protect its own and not sacrifice our sovereignty. We will listen, we will assess, and we will make our own opinions.
Malacañang has assured that the public “will not be disappointed” with this Sona. For sure, the words may dazzle or inspire, raise brows, or raise hopes once more. The words could make us feel that our world is getting better, and urge us keep believing, and to do our part.
And after the speech is done, we will return to our lives, leaving the words behind.