OFF THE BEATEN PATH

I will never fully comprehend the excuse, justification and absurdity of a supposed world-class airport that suffers from an eight-hour brown-out.  Somehow, there is no explanation that makes remote sense no matter how it is spun and stretched to the limits of our imagination. Only in the Philippines, as the critics would say.  But it is unfair to bash our country, when those seemingly at fault look ever so guileless and guilt-free on national television. Why, you ask? Because it has become a national past time for the DOTr to point a blaming finger at Meralco, LTO, Marina, PNR or the Philippine Coast Guard, depending on the crisis situation that it is facing or should we say, trying to run away from. What ever happened to the concept of a conscientious “taong bahay?” Imagine the shock (and shame) of the Philippine delegation when they were told that the Philippines’ premiere gateway is filled with thousands of people, clueless and sweating amid the sweltering heat, because the airport, much like your average household, had no electricity. Anyare? The economic team must have prepared an investor’s pitch worthy of President Joe Biden’s best and brightest, only to be informed of a domestic disturbance in Manila. Brownout sa NAIA Terminal 3! Only in the Philippines? No, only in DOTr.  The sad irony is that we have an aviation expert as DOTr’s top man. But why is this happening, Secretary Bautista? Where did MIAA’s operations and maintenance budget go? All ₱5.42 billion of it. It can’t be all comfort rooms, light bulbs and chairs right? If DOTr’s experts are to be (dis)believed, it was caused by the main circuit breaker. With all due respect, Mister Secretary, your dream team may think that this yet-another-crisis is good for only one news cycle and that much like the January 1st debacle, this will soon be forgotten. We think not, because the Filipino people are no longer in a forgiving mood.  Carefully worded excuses simply don’t cut it anymore.  Your boss is doing his utmost best to once again sell the Philippines as an investment destination, hoping to regain the trust and confidence of global allies, but you, Sir, good intentions and explanations aside, are simply dampening our high spirits. Unfortunately, the DOTr has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The driver’s license and license plates grab from the LTO, its silence over the oil spill in Mindoro despite the looming environmental danger and disaster and NAIA’s never-ending woes and troubles. The list is long, and the public is really tired of waiting. DOTr, never again.

Off the Beat:

Sharing a medley of remixed classic songs from the ’80s and ’90s.  I recorded the mix on May 23, 2021.  Playlist: 1.Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners, 2. Rock The Casbah – Clash, 3. Right Here Right Now - Jesus Jones, 4. Strangelove - Depeche Mode, 5. Opportunities - Pet Shop Boys, 6. Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood, 7. Reflex - Duran Duran, 8. The Promise - When In Rome, 9. Somebody's Watching Me – Rockwell, 10. All Night Long - Lionel Richie, 11. September - E W F, 12. I Love The Nightlife - Alicia Bridges, 13. If You Could Read My Mind – Studio 54, 14. Xanadu - Olivia Newton John Check the link below to listen: [https://www.mixcloud.com/goyolarrazabal/backspins-digital-210523-goyos-desk-philippines/](https://www.mixcloud.com/goyolarrazabal/backspins-digital-210523-goyos-desk-philippines/)