THE GREATEST MAGICIANS have something to learn from Mr. Mistoffelees’ Conjuring Turn – PRESTO! Elphie once said that “everyone deserves a chance to fly;” but I beg to set the notion that something’s are left grounded, especially when money’s the talk of the town.  

The value of friendship is something that is quite integral in making sure that society would stand amidst uncertainties; after all, from time immemorial, shared relations from one human being to another has always been a key player to guarantee the likelihood of survival.  

“…a leader with integrity who is grounded on the country, not some parrot who squeals and flies above reality.”

Evidently, as seen in the media, friendship became a staple theme in most movies and television series to such an extent that it became erroneously romanticized, thereby forging this illusion that “the power of friendship would solve everything.” Unfortunately, such “illusions of grandeur” has soared to an alarming degree, becoming a part of the OVP’s master plan.  

Just recently, the 16-paged children’s book, titled Isang Kaibigan authored by the Vice President (VP), herself, sparked controversies as the public questioned the quality and integrity of the Php10 million-based-children’s book. Senator Risa Hontiveros especially pressured the VP into amending the allocated budget, deeming it an “improper request” since “government funds and the money of the taxpayers should not be used for distribution.”  

Standing on behalf of the VP, her spokesperson, Atty. Michael Wesley Poa, argued that the children’s book is an indispensable component to realizing the PagbaBAGo Campaign—the flagship initiative of the Office of the Vice President (OVP)—with the goal of “alleviating the financial challenges associated with providing school supplies to learners, and address the pressing climate change issue through tree-planting efforts.”  

Moreover, when pressed against accusations of the VP plagiarizing the American graphic novel, titled Owly Just a Little Blue by Andy Runton, Atty. Poa rebutted that the self-authored book already acquired a copyright registration last 2023. In addition to that, the VP also hinted at a sequel of the book, ironically delving this time “sa pagtataksil ng isang kaibigan.” 

Truly enough, to reiterate, shared relations from one human being to another have always been a key player to guarantee the likelihood of survival. Yet despite that, in reality, it’s a man eat man world. It’s only a matter of time that the value of friendship would be used as a leverage to assert one’s power and dominance before the faltering world, similar to how a portrait of the VP would be seen at the latter parts of the book, claiming her as “isang tunay na kaibigan.” 

It’s hypocritical, naive, and utterly baseless that the book grounded on friendship would ultimately change the unfortunate condition of the Philippines when the VP, herself, has made little to no initiative in forging a connection and understanding her fellow countrymen. The book would justify it as, not only does it romanticize friendship, but it also derails us from delving into more pressing matters where the allocated Php10 million budget can be sacredly utilized.  

Every public servant would dream of defying gravity, so much so that, during their term, every sector is improved to make sure that the status quo would be challenged. However, there are ways to defy all odds without sacrificing the integrity of being a public servant.  

And for the VP who claimed herself as “isang tunay na kaibigan,” I believe it is high time for her to live out the claim and become a friend and a leader with integrity who is grounded on the country, not some parrot who squeals and flies above reality.  

Oh! Well, I never! Was there ever a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistoffelees? 

Email me at thebedan_editorinchief@sanbeda.edu.ph