Now comes P-Noy.
Photos show him in New York at the Avenue of the Americas and 45th St. ordering the famous New York hotdog on the sidewalk. News says that his party spent just $54.00 or roughly P2,430.00.
My opinion?
There is nothing wrong with our president doing that. He is fond of fast foods like hamburger, fries, soda and indeed hotdog. During the campaign he said that lunch for him is a burger and a soda. He feels comfortable with that.
Filipino concept of lunch is totally different from “lunch” understood in the States. Lunch for us means kare-kare, rice, pancit, adobo, pinakbet, fried chicken or lechon. In the States, lunch means salad, French fries, hamburger, hotdog, muffins, burritos or chips --- things we call “snacks”.
Eating in US while walking, in the park, in the mall or anywhere allowed is all right; just don’t litter. No one minds even if they are celebrities or government officials. In contrast, imagine the "osyuso" (curious eyes) staring at Majah Salvador or Chavit Singson while eating under the shade or while sauntering in a Makati mall.
Somebody should have recommended the hotdog stand for the president. Often times, the best tasting hotdog in the US is not found in franchised locations. It can be on sidewalk stands.
Did P-Noy demean the office of the president in eating at the hotdog stand? I don’t think so. Anybody can eat hotdog there. They may be poor, homeless, beggar or resident of Beverly Hills. After all, there is no food for the rich and food for the poor in that country. He showed how simple and humble he is. Aquino is aware that he spends the people's money in his trip and unlike his predecessor, he has the decency not to insult us by feasting like a king.
Last but not least, the president is aware of our poverty. Eating on the kalye (sidewalk) is his small way of identifying himself with his suffering people instead of going to the favorite restaurant of Gloria Arroyo. -30-
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