| A Reaction |
 As I read the article of Anna Varona Rivilla posted for Mayor Dors Rivilla on the recent Fathers’ Day, I cannot help remember a teenage girl raring to bloom into a young woman with a definite vision of her future life which she managed to sort out all by herself equipped only with her own headstrong attitude towards life yet tempered with a truly artistic outlook, a quality that seems to have been nurtured in her genes from the moment of conception. That is Anna, then and now. But the thing that really rubbed my sympathetic nerve was her pining for her life with Dors and the children, just before he became the Mayor of Paniqui. I cannot blame her. That life was simple and easy, yet full of meaning. It’s difficult to see life’s meaning when it is complicated. It goes without saying that Dors and Anna had their own share of problems inevitably accompanying a married life. But to both of them, the goals remain clear. Together they raise the children while giving top priority to quality education. But individually, they both follow their dreams as each person should. As a couple, Dors and Anna can pursue a common goal while maintain a distinct individuality fulfilling an amazing variety of interests. I guess this is what makes this enigmatic couple clickIt is not easy to reconcile the legitimate demands of politics and the traditional obligations of a parent to his or her family. In the case of Dors and Anna, both of them put a high priority on keeping their family solid and providing for their individual needs, material and otherwise. At the same time, they both realize that they had made a commitment to render an undivided service to the municipality of Paniqui. So far the couple is doing a wonderful job striking a good balance between the demands of political service and the demands of the family. Time management is key. And so is honest and sincere assessment of every demand that comes from both the municipality and the family. I think the reason why some politicians fail miserably in delivering the needed services to their constituents lies in their inability to recognize the sanctity of their commitment to the people prior to election. A far greater service is rendered to the family than to the municipality. Following this premise, Dors and Anna would soon be back to the comfort of their family bonding if they ease up their concern for the municipality. But anyone who knows the young couple will never think that they can compromise a commitment. Once that commitment of service is made, they will fulfill it to the end.Here’s something for Anna next time she feels torn between the rigors of public service and the joy of showing love for her family. It is the last paragraph of Robert Frost’s Stopping By The Woods On A Snowy Evening: The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep; And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. For comments / reactions, please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  |
