“And the winners of the Okray Awards…”
3 MIN READ
As expected, year 2008 was not spared of stories that passed our mascot Mutya’s kaokray-okray standards. Mutya is short for Mutit na nangungutya. By the way he is gay and he is proud he is out.
Like any other year, we give the last Mutya story to our top satirically ridiculous stories and news reports, as how Mutya would say it, “Haler!” (read: Do not be so stupid, stupid!)
Topping our long list of totally ridiculous people, issues and events that captured Mutya’s very gay okray standards, were stories that would raise our eyebrows and eyeballs roll in desperation. We had 52 stories of this kind in 2008, but we are only giving the top three the Okray Awards 2008.
Gambling or no gambling
Our second runner-up for this year’s Okray Awards is the never-ending debate about gambling in Baguio City. The very controversial Small Town Lottery (STL) issue that keeps on popping every now and then failed to get the nod of the city council. Our Mutya said it again, “48 years na iyan, mama!”
Even the bid for a casino operation in the city haunted city hall many times this year. It attracted more anti-gambling advocates from the private sector that the Dads could not help but join the chorus: No to gambling in the city of pines!
According to Mutya, “ No, no, no!!! Excuuuuuse me, the city says never again to casino.” (S)He said it loud and clear in bold letters.
Stinking city!
The embarrassing and stinking garbage situation of Baguio City is this year’s pick for the 1st runner up of the Okray Awards. It is okay if it is only the physical stench, but the foul thing almost got everybody crazy over the whole thing.
Up to now, the city has not really come up with a doable permanent solution to the stinking solid waste management program, which has shown its head on several occasions.
Critical as he has always been, Mutya almost gave in as he commented, “Let’s get this over with.” Actually, the costly hauling of garbage must end on December 31, but the problem on garbage and how city hall deals with it still carries the stench. Not even beyond 2009, the experts say.
GMA tops them all
The 2008 Okray Awardee is none other than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself. She is actually one of our favorite subjects to lampoon with.
As we all know, the president is in the city for whatever purpose, several times. Most of the time, she meets the scrutinizing Baguio press, with whom she whiles the hour away in an occasion or two. She sees to it, or her protocol says, that she does not speak impromptu in front of the press.
“Less (or no) talk, less (or no) mistake,” might be the instructions. Imagine GMA telling the Filipinos the Philippines would be among the world’s richest in 20 years. Haler, again!
As expected every time the president is in the city, she was met by protesters trying to outwit the strict and mean-looking Presidential Security Group (PSG)
Who could forget the roaring thunders and bolts of lighting while she was at the Baguio Cathedral during a mass by Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines The Most Reverend Edward Adams in June?
One bystander even commented, “It was like in a horror movie,” kidding her companion that it was because PGMA was inside the church and God is just fidgeting.
This year was an exciting year for our Mutya. In the coming new year, those who think they can hide from him, better watch out for he is always watching. # Northern Dispatch
