In 1995, there was this blockbuster film ‘While You Were Sleeping,’ starring Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, and Peter Gallagher. This feel good, romantic movie illustrated the twists and turns of the life of an orphan (Sandra), a token teller at the New York subway. Sandra’s life was a regimented one, only to be spiced up every morning, at a precise time, when the man of her dreams, played by Peter, passes her booth up until he boards the train for work.

But one December morning, Sandra’s life changed, altogether. The man of her dreams fell from the walkway into the tracks with an incoming train on sight. Quick to the draw, Sandra rescued Peter, who survived the incident but ended up in the hospital. It was, practically, a dream come true for Sandra as she would stare, admiring up close and personal Peter while he was lying in coma.

Sandra was overwhelmed by the profuse appreciation from Peter’s family, who erroneously mistook her as his fiancée, and accepted her without inhibitions. She felt guilty with all the attention and the fussing of the family members, an attention she sorely missed all these years living alone and fending for herself. Torn between the overwhelming new found happiness and her desire to tell the truth, Sandra had difficulty correcting the misconceptions that she is the fiancée, indeed.

Before Peter finally regained his memory, Sandra gathered enough courage to tell the truth. It broke the family’s heart, who were smitten by her demeanor and coyness. The long and short of the story was, Sandra still became the daughter-in-law as she ended up falling in love with Peter’s brother played by Bill Pullman, who came home for the holiday.

What’s this got to do with the now?

The Analogy

This movie crossed my mind as I was listening to Senator Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas’ decision to forego his presidential bid, yielding the seat to Senator Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III Tuesday night.

Like Sandra in the movie, it is an agonizing decision. Letting your dreams slip away for the truth and reality. How very statesman Sen. Mar is! In this present crop of presidentiables, seldom do I hear a politician who can be as sincere as Sen. Mar when he made his very difficult announcement at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills.

The two most eligible senators, Mar and Noynoy, discussed the issue of giving up for three days. On Sen. Mar’s corner, there are members of the family and staunch supporters who have been working hard over the past months drawing up his campaign platform, to contend with. From his facial expression, it was clear that he struggled, agonized over the most important decision that definitely altered his political life.

To his credit, Sen. Mar, I believed came to terms, no matter how difficult it was, to the reality that consolidation of political forces is considerably necessary to be able to bring this country forward.

Need I say that the Philippines, despite some economic progress in the recent past, had been a slacker among its regional peers, weighed down to a certain extent by its dysfunctional political landscape.

To each his own is no longer the game here. The general public is seeking for change in governance, reflected by the thousands of people who braved the heat of the scorching sun and the rain, queued to have a last glimpse and pay their last respect to Presidentita. Since the late President’s legacy is democracy, such outpouring is a manifestation, albeit subliminally, that the people are clamoring for change.

His decision virtually altered the political landscape of the country. It narrows down the list aiming for the highest position of the land. Country above self was Sen. Mar’s opening statement.

As a student of politics, the pronouncement made my day. The apprehensive skeptic that is me has to salute Sen. Mar.  His decision, actually, earned him a slot in my very short list of politicians who can make a difference.

FORE! Sen. Mar just scored an ace - a hole in one.

DÉJÀ VU?

Developments over the past four days gave me goose pimples.

The passing of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Eraño Manalo, the people lining up to have a last glimpse of their leader. Then, the emerging Noynoy-Mar tandem. These events took place in succession while the Revered Resident of the Palace by the River was away on a state visit to Libya.

Watching the news on the thousands of ‘kapatids’ queuing and the decision of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to come home early (original arrival schedule was close to midnight. She came home, instead, several hours earlier), going straight to the INC headquarters in Commonwealth, Quezon City to condole with the Manalo family were scenes I’ve seen recently.

Exactly a month and a week ago, Presidentita left our earthly abode for a life in the beyond. The Revered Resident of the Palace by the River, who was reportedly enjoying expensive dinners in the Big Apple, scrapped her Chicago and Guam leg to come home earlier than schedule. And likewise, from the airport she went straight to Manila Cathedral to pay her last respect to the first woman president of the country.

While at this very moment, Sen. Noynoy is on a pilgrimage, outside and away from the eyes of the maddening crowd to seek solace and guidance from the same spiritual leaders of her mother, the late Presidentita.

Though, some say Sen. Noynoy vacillated by being non-committal. As for me, I fully support his decision to go on a retreat to discern whether or not he will accept the enormity of the offer. He is as reluctant as the Presidentita.

Is this a portent of things to come?

‘Til our next filibustering.

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