THE secret is not only to grin and bear it but also to be ready to do things on your own. But if there’s a dance number and you’re the only one joining the practices, is it time to go solo? Hehe. Well, at least there were six people who went to the first day of practice and that’s enough to assure you that you won’t be going solo ever for any of the endeavors your group has volunteered for. It is a sunny morning as I’m writing this. Egay has probably left the building, er, the country. No, not Hapsay Dalan’s Egay Uy who happens to be our neighbor here in the opinion page. It’s Typhoon Egay which resulted on the cancellation of classes in some areas in Luzon on Monday. After one of the most humid of all summers, it’s now time to deal with the law of nature which says what goes up must come down. The hotter the weather is, the more water disappears to wherever it goes, and to wait there until it’s time to rain. Yes, that’s how I understand the science of the vanishing water. I was sleeping when our grade school teacher taught us anything about science so I’m reduced to this duh wannabe scientist each time there’s a need to fathom a phenomenon. The ever reliable (hehe) Wikipedia describes a phenomenon as “any observable occurrence.” Hmmm. You mean, your own dilemma is as much a phenomenon as Mr. Frozen’s frozen delights? You mean, there’s no distinction at all between his phenomenal story from your own ho-hum story? You mean, you and Mr. Frozen are the same, which makes you the Cagayan de Oro version of Mr. Frozen? Oops. But Mr. Frozen is innocent until proven guilty so I guess that still makes him as the ultimate example of a good leader for some people because, for one, he has been successful in avoiding the Senate hearings on his alleged plundering, grafting and corrupting. Instead, he goes around Pinas to show his empathy and compassion for the mahihirap, the needy, the poor. Which is a good thing, if only there aren’t any allegations hovering above his head. There’s now this perception that whatever empathy and compassion he’s showing to the madlang pehpohl is simply part of a show in his journey towards Malacanang. Wawa naman Mr. Frozen if indeed he’s sincere in his intent to help the mahihirap. He’s making this sacrifice to travel around Pinas and meet each and every future constituent, and there are still people who suspect he travels so he can avoid the Senate hearings. Tsk tsk. “Buti pa ang kamalian, napapansin.” Hehe. Once upon a time, Mr. Frozen was known to be a good, righteous and principled man. That was during the original People Power that banished the Marcoses to Hawaii in the ’80s. Now, he and his family are suspected to be as bad as the family he helped banish to Hawaii. But there’s always hope for those suspected to be corrupt since the Marcoses are now working on going back to Malacanang. Who would have known, way back in the ‘80s, that the Marcoses would still be able to return to Malacanang? Well, aren’t you tired of reading about Mr. Frozen? But you shouldn’t be. He will be the next president of our beloved country Pinas if he wins next year. Try to imagine the scenario once he’s in Malacanang. Try to imagine how his wife, the First Lady, will behave. Try to imagine how some of his children--the incumbent, er, temporarily suspended Makati mayor, the Makati representative, the senator--will behave once they’re all also in Malacanang. If you’re happy with that scenario, then let it be. But if you’re not, good luck na lang. There’s still no assurance, though, that the scenario lurking in your brains will come true. What if Sen. Grace Poe wins as president next year. Will she be surrounded by show biz people? Uh, probably not. But try to imagine how it’s going to be if she’s president. If you’re liking that scenario, then vote for her if she runs. If you’re also liking the scenario starring Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in Malacanang, then vote for him if he runs. Wait, there’s one more possible presidentiable and that’s Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas who once gave up his dream of becoming the country’s next president by letting PNoy shine. If you’re the type who values such a sacrifice, then vote for him. Only Mr. Frozen and Roxas are kind of sure na that they’re running next year while Poe and Duterte are still making pa-cute, er, probably waiting for the proper time to announce their plans. There’s so much power in the presidency. That is, if you’re talking about a country’s presidency. But if it’s the presidency of a club, o my gas, good luck na lang as you’re now facing no replies to texts, calls, emails, Facebook messages. You should try hypnosis and hope that works: Tubag naaaaa... Tubag... Please, tubag... And there’s that kooky member who asks, Two bags of what? Haha! The club presidency is the kind where a prospective presidentiable has to be forced to accept the challenge. So unlike the country’s version, eh? But the “forced” president can’t still use that as his excuse for not functioning. He can’t say, Hey, you forced me, I hate this job and I have the right to show it to you, I won’t work, I’ll relax for a year, bahala na si Batman sa inyo. Despite the reluctance, he still has to face the challenge and it’s not only ‘pag may time but all the time. One year ra bitaw na. The country’s presidency, on the other hand, lasts for six years, and yet many Pinoys don’t have to be forced to accept that challenge. They even fight in order to be given that challenge. Is this fight aimed towards serving the madlang pehpohl or simply having a selfie with the national treasury? But surely the next president won’t be going solo as he walks around Malacanang. He will have his thoughts walking along with him.