Offbeat Things Seen At The Inauguration

By: Iris P. Concepcion

"You are the boss so I cannot ignore your orders. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to your needs and aspirations."

"I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son, a caring brother, and a good citizen."

"I do not believe that all of those who serve in our government are corrupt. In truth, the majority of them are honest. They joined government to serve and do good. Starting today, they will have the opportunity to show that they have what it takes. I am counting on them to help fight corruption within the bureaucracy."

These lines are part of President-elect Noynoy Aquino's inaugural speech.

I was looking at the numerous faces around while these were uttered.

The Atlas picture nonetheless directed me to a creative frame of mind: a countdown to the oath taking was flashing atop where the Earth should have been. It is a striking structure: imposing, huge, uniquely visible. The frame of the prexy's body mass is present upclose.

Somehow I know that this shall be a leader who can not only tolerate and approve but one who can actually encourage with passion the nourishment of innovative minds.

I likewise attended the street party held at the Quezon Memorial Circle as an extension of the inaugural celebration. Its recently constructed underpass (fronting its city hall) is comely like a pretty lass: you pass by the passage with the city's historical milestones photographed in a montage of well-taken antique pictures.

I saw a shirt that explained it: God's action is working. I have truly envisioned pathways like this one in the past. I certainly love walking and I find it idling sometimes, not missing out on the possibility of opportunity that I could actually be "educated" on history, science or what not while I do my footwork. The historical underpinnings gracing this QC walkway could be best visually grabbed by people instead of the usual commercial pitchings one normally sees in similar structures.

Moreover, it is airy, spacious and gives strength to any pair of sturdy legs. We really have beautiful cities; it is only giving the free hand to those who have the eye to see these designs implemented in a new, excitable and mind-challenging manners to jumpstart the visual vibe.

Its park inside is also a breather. It is still being constructed. There is a luxurious fountain and it delighted me that kids actually enjoyed them : this alternative to "paid" amusement parks is now made "public". You make a satisfied citizenry like this without having to profit from the taxpayers and chances are, they shall be armed with more understanding, lessening their gripe and whine. The new president articulated this well: "you combat discontentment by good governance." That is the only way.

The first picture is a Noynoy mascot that just popped out from nowhere in the Quezon City Memorial Park. It is, for lack of better word to use, cute. A lot of people had their pictures taken with Noynoy's prototype like a fastfood image carrier: he is made accessible to the young ones. That is offbeat connectivity. Again, more than puff, the traditional means of being visibly there is getting another facelift, and all for the better.

I precisely sought out these pictures rather than the throngs of people yesterday because they deliver promises that do not cling on to what is already stale, boring and ineffective. It is proper communication and functional management of fund at a maximized cost.