BACOLOD CITY — Vicente Mercado, look at what you have done. You discussed Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With The Wind” and when I picked it up, it created quite a tempest in a so-called tea pot.

What some liked and others didn’t, was the allusion to the old riches, now gone with the wind but who still cling to the memories of the old glory.

Give it to Vic Mercado, an old hand in media, who knows which topic to take up. Or in television Ernie Hinojas who interviewed Mayor Bing Leonardia who blasted Congressman Monico Puentevella and then he interviewed Monico who blasted back at the mayor.

Listening to both interviews one could only exclaim “Is that so?!”

I have always steered myself clear of the political fights. But I was misunderstood when I stood against the barricade in Felisa. I believe barricades are anarchy in the streets but some told me, it is the right of the people to peaceably assemble for the redress of grievances.

At that time, too, some farmers barricaded the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform here and prevented DAR people from holding office. They did not complain probably DAR people also enjoyed having a vacation. But, that is not right.

* * *

I said there were reactions to my piece on “Gone
With The Wind.”

From Taiwan, former City Administrator Tony Kho texted and said our piece on literary classic was excellent. From Paris, one who said he is from Bacolod but did not even give his name said, true, the French Revolution changed, not only France but also the whole world because the French Revolution toppled kings and kingdoms and the people took over.

I talked about Charles Dickens’ “A Tale Of Two Cities.” I did not get a reaction from Moscow to tell me Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” also created changes there.

Those who disagreed, I also welcomed. I always welcome contrary opinions as long as they don’t make it personal.

Anna Balcells and Nena Rosello disagreed. Okay. What Anna did not know was her father, the late Alberto Balcells always told me planters in Negros should remember “Gone With The Wind.” And her mother Carmita so liked the book that she lent me a copy.

The lesson, they told me, was people should prepare and adjust.

Anna and Nena are daughters of Alberto and Paco, respectively, from Barcelona who married the granddaughters of General Aniceto Lacson.

* * *

But look at the reaction of another Spanish national, Ms. Gilda Puey Locsin, daughter of a Spanish mestizo, the former Congressman Pepe Puey.

Texted Gilda, “Bravo! I love your column today. When I read the names of those classic movies you mentioned, I was overwhelmed with nostalgia. In ‘Gone With The Wind’ our rich hacienderos should be reminded always that when they die, they cannot bring all their land and money with them – and like all of us will all turn to ashes – to be blown away and gone with the wind.”

I also got this “text”: “Your writeup on anti-Baha is powerful and excellent. This group, it seems, wants to control and monopolize rts… Hoping they can see the mote in their…” There was no name but the cellphone number is 0013105250338.

Obviously, this is from the U.S.

But I got an opposite view which I print, word for word, “You should stick to the issues and not make allusions. Leave that to entertainment writers. If Bing can’t stand criticisms, he should not be in public service. And if you can’t write anything constructive, why not retire to your farm in Bago which unfortunately has not gone with the wind yet.”

I thanked him or her and asked for the name which I said, I wanted to publish and even invited her to participate in the discussion. I said, I can give and I can also receive. But the texter never answered. The cellphone number is +639204565798.

I did not call up afraid the voice might be the same as the one who called me up. It would just spoil my day. But I reiterate my invitation to the texter. Let us argue. Let us make the discussion interesting.

Let us leave Monico and Bing tearing up each other. That is their role.

* * *

But I want to share the text of another reader who asked not to be identified that the Anti-Baha Alliance, if they are really for the people there are other issues to take up, like criminality with snatchers in jeeps. But concentrating on the “baha” and garbage it will appear to be their working only on their personal interest because their place is flooded. I wrote they denounce graft and corruption but they also do not want to antagonize both Monico and Bing.

They said that’s the job of Bantay Banwa.

Let us open discussions on the issues.

One Response to “Tempest in a tea pot”

• 1
  ROMELO SUSTITUIDO
  November 14th, 2008 23:00

  ha ha ha. kindly search for a copy of the senate’s investiegation report last 2004 and you’ll find their names …………..togethe
  r

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