ILIGAN City ― When February this year was still fast approaching, it occurred at the back of my mind: what would PBBM do on the Edsa People Power Anniversary, which the Marcos family, perceived as the cause of all the trouble then, (and maybe even now) were kicked out of the country.

And so, they landed in Hawaii. People then rejoiced. Later jokes came out, among them, that FM Sr. thought they were going to Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

Now, I hear, a "pineapple joke." Hawaii is famous for pineapples, what else. It's a dark history, especially for the Marcoses. So, what would PBBM do? For up to this time, they're in "denial" mode, aren't they?

Yet, the surprise of surprises, he issued Proclamation no. 167. Which moved the holiday, from Feb. 25, a Saturday, to Feb. 24, a Friday. For "workers to enjoy a long weekend" said the Proclamation, among other things, which was signed by Executed, I mean Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for the President

Surprising indeed. Even sibling Imee was surprised. She, said, "I don't want any of this."

I don't know if she spoke this with some exclamation points. Or a movement of her senatorial head from left to right and vice versa.

Maybe, per PBBM's thinking, it is better to do it as fast as possible and get it over with.

We don't know if the late Marcos had squirmed in his grave. He had clung to power because he loved it so much. That even if he was already very sick, his game was still on. It was then reported that during the last years of his dictatorial rule, Malacanang had been turned into some kind of hospital. So that treatment for lupus disease could be facilitated.

It was then reported that during the campaign period of that snap elections in 1986 when Marcos was the guest speaker of the Rotary Club of Manila, he said after his speech ostensibly for then-candidate for President Cory Aquino: "Isang bala ka lang!" Then he was bodily carried by the PSG men in a triumphant gesture. But blood was dripping from beneath his barong tagalog. He had just had dialysis for his still ailing kidneys!

When Cory then became the guest speaker too on the occasion, after her speech, she said: "Isang boto ka lang!" She meant it for FM, who else!

I then heard some high government officials saying: "If you vote for Marcos, you're on the safe side. But if you vote for Cory, that would be suicide!"

The rest, of course, is history.

That was in February 1986. And more than 3 years later, on Nov. 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall, fell. The Wall, to note, divided east and west Berlin. Some people thought it too was a People Power of sorts. Like that Edsa in 1986. Maybe they had "copied" Edsa too?

Yet, there is a ''return of the comeback." With the "comeback" a big one. For suddenly, another Marcos became President. But I don't think this is a "sudden" thing. This is well, "planned," some even saying that this is with thanks from "the SD card." I saw a post in socmed that this is with a lot of help from some mammal called "Cambridge Analytica." Well, whatever. PBBM now is the President. And he speaks of "reconciliation" of "Unity."

But can there be unity or reconciliation, if PBBM and family can't even ask forgiveness? For the Martial Law by the father with all the brutalities that came with it? This is the idea of some friends here which I also agree with.( I even know of 2 friends who were awarded some amount from some American lawyer for the "brutality' that they had experienced during that regime. )

I don't know. Is there "unity" when the "suddenness" of it all, and the Proclamation regarding it had made a sibling say, "I will have none of it."? This Meaning, they themselves aren't united.

Email: nora.lady@yahoo.com