BRUSSELS - President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) may have drawn various reactions from different sectors of the society, but Filipinos here have nothing but praises for the country’s new leader.

They described the SONA as simple yet sincere and inspiring. Though they expected Aquino to reveal anomalies in some transactions committed by the past administration, it shocked them to find out that there is little money left for the present government to address the nation’s problems.

Rev. Fr. Apollo de Guzman said that instead of grieving over the Arroyo government’s discrepancies, it is vital for everyone to join forces to be able to help the present administration.

“Tulungan na natin at buong bayan mag-rebolusyon na tayo sa puso’t damdamin na magtulong-tulong na tayo pati mga political leaders, kasi kawawa na po ang bansa natin,” Fr. De Guzman said.

He pointed out that what the country needs now is the support and sacrifice from every Filipino.

Many overseas Filipino workers (OFW), on the other hand, expressed confidence that Aquino will fulfill his promises if given enough time.

They also expressed their commitment to help their fellow countrymen, if necessary.

“Kaming mga OFW ay handang tumulong sa pamamagitan ng dasal, suporta at pinansyal,” OFW Vivian Aniceto said.

Filipinos abroad are even willing to contribute money to help less fortunate ones in the Philippines.

“Willing akong magbigay o ang mga kababayan natin, hihimukin ko sila na magbigay ng kahit kaunti para sa mga kababayan nating naghihirap sa Pilipinas,” said Hadji Luwalhati.

Meanwhile, Filipino community leaders assured the government that they will continue doing projects that would help several provinces in the Philippines, particularly to build classrooms.

Instead of criticizing and waiting for the government to address some issues, OFWs in Belgium believe that every Filipino has to think and do their share in helping the country’s present situation.

FilAms protest Noynoy’s SONA

Filipino-American activists from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, New York and New Jersey held simultaneous demonstrations protesting Aquino’s presidency.

Activists in San Francisco held a protest march all the way to the Philippine Consulate.

The demonstrators said that while they are giving Aquino a chance to prove his worth as president, they are also keeping a watchful eye on him.

“Kailangan mapagbantay ang mga mamamayan. Kung may maganda siyang ginawa, suportahan natin. Pero kung may masama siyang ginawa, kailangan nating tuligsain para ma-remind siya na baguhin ang mali,” said Bernadette Herrera of the Samahan ng mga Kababaihan.

Activists want to know if Aquino can truly champion all Filipinos, especially those working overseas.

“We’re going to continue voicing our opinions as long as human rights violations are being committed, as long as overseas workers are being exploited, as long as immigration reform is not happening here in the United States, and Aquino does nothing about it,” said Terry Valen of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns.

They advised Aquino to stop dwelling on the past administration’s faults and start doing his job as president.

“He spent so much time blaming Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during his State of the Nation Address. We were waiting for his plan. What is he going to do to find money for the Philippines, to lower poverty line, to answer these issues that he says Arroyo left him?” Elaine Villasper of Gabriela-USA said.

They insisted that instead of talking about corruption among politicians, Aquino needs to keep track of government spending.

“If there is discrepancy as to where the money is spent, then there should be an investigative process to make sure that the money is accounted for. There are plenty of resources but we have to make sure that the money is spent properly and it goes where it’s supposed to go,” said Joshua Castro of Bayan USA.

More protests in New York, New Jersey

Meantime, FilAm activists in New York and New Jersey said Aquino may have a lot riding on his shoulders right now, but the country’s future is at stake.

They held a protest in the heart of the Filipino community in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Protesters said Aquino’s SONA lacks teeth they were hoping for and does not include the demands they were asking from him.

“Unang-una, narinig natin ang matamis na talumpati ng bagong administrasyong Aquino, subalit nalulungkot kami dahil malaki ang kakulangan sa kanyang mga pangako,” Gary Labao of Bayan USA said.
 
Yves Nibungco of Bayan USA added, “Unang-una po wala po rito ang mga tunay na programa para tigilan yung pag-migrate ng mga kababayan natin dahil wala diyan yung job creation, national industrialization, yung genuine agrarian reform, at yung pagpapanagot kay Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.”

Hanalei Ramos, a Gabriela USA member said that if President Aquino feels weighed down by the mess created by the former President, then he should start investigating and prosecuting Arroyo.

“GMA needs to be held accountable for all the atrocious human rights violations that have accumulated over the last 9 years,” said Ramos.

The group also wants the US forces completely out of the homeland by junking the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Meantime, a Jersey City resident who happened to see the protest said it’s premature to grade a new President’s job performance at this time since it’s only been a month since Aquino took office.

“Alam mo ang mga tao walang patience, It doesn’t take overnight para mabago mo ang iyong country.”
 
The groups vow to keep a close watch on President Aquino’s every step to keep the pressure on the new leader until all their demands are finally met. With reports from Henni Espinosa and Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau