023 Hello, Iloilo (2)
This wasn’t planned at all, at least as far as I know. The idea was for me to have one speaking event on the second day and another on the third and final day. I wasn’t even supposed to be the speaker. But with Secretary Jesli Lapus cancelling at the last minute, just before our flight, I was tasked to deliver these two speeches, in Iloilo and Guimaras.
But here I was, on my first day, which was supposed to be a rest day, and I was already on my third speaking engagement.
The local officials, it seemed, had mastered the art of making these events sound small and inconsequential. “We’ll just pass by” was the common theme. So, as the sun was about to call it a night, we were passing by Iloilo City National High School so I could “see” the place. And yes, I was in for a big surprise.
As soon as we entered the campus, I could see hundreds of students lined up to greet their unsuspecting guest. And as I got off the car, I was warmly met by the school principal, who directed me to go to the main building. But before I took my first step, he asked me to wave to the crowd, explaining that “they’ve been waiting for you for hours.”
They probably assumed I was the Lapus person. So, I waved. Then I walked as fast as I could to the safety of the old building that was no more than 50 feet away (the walk felt longer). Inside, it was quiet. Perhaps the kids went home as soon as I disappeared into the building (thank God).
There was a hall waiting for me, and the entire faculty was there. They had a 30-minute presentation about the school. But first, a couple of students had to dance the flamenco for me (There’s always a first time for everything!).
After the school’s prepared briefing, and after my response (ad lib speech no. 3 for the day) and a “brief” Q&A, it was dinner in the next room. As I gazed at the large prawns and crabs, my host, Iloilo superintendent Rey Lapating, told me that we could leave already (I did tell him I had to deal with work emergency earlier).
So, after a two-hour stop, we were off.
Regional director Vic Tirol had asked me earlier if we could have dinner—at the hotel—which of course I obliged. As it turned out, it wasn’t as I had imagined. Instead of a couple of officials in some hotel coffee shop, it was everyone in the regional office at the hotel ballroom.
Thankfully, no speeches were required here.
The night did end early. But the fun was just starting. For tomorrow I’d be delivering my first official speech on behalf of the secretary of education. And yes, it didn’t go too well.
(To be continued)