The Christmas holiday is officially over today and we’re already a few days into 2014. Most of us are still nursing hangovers from 2013 — a year that had its share of hits and misses. One of the best things to do in order to move on is to look back and learn from our (and other people’s) mistakes. So, we did just that and came up with these 12 gems.
1. Don’t make matter-of-fact body count estimates
After Typhoon Yolanda hit in November, President Noynoy Aquino refuted a policeman’s statement that 10,000 people must have died because of the storm. He told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that the death toll was probably closer to 2,000 or 2,500. As of 6am on January 4, 2014 the Yolanda death toll was at 6,166. And to think that they initially sacked the cop for his “emotional” estimate. (He’s been reinstated, fortunately.) PNoy’s lucky he didn’t get ousted for being in denial.
2. It’s a bad idea to hook up with someone who’s young enough to be your grandchild
Many people were outraged when Pinoy music icon Freddie Aguilar, 60, revealed that he had a 16-year-old girlfriend. That’s 44 years between them, making him old enough to be the girl’s grandfather. The girl’s parents had reportedly given their blessings to the couple. Aguilar and his Lolita later converted to Islam so they would be allowed to get married. They tied the knot in November, just a few days before the child bride turned 17. That’s still barely legal. Age may just be a number but, heck, that’s a very scary number.
3. When in doubt, just shut up
Department of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla painted himself into a very awkward corner when he made the grandiose vow to restore power in all the areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda by December 24. Well, when his self-assigned deadline came, there were still some towns that didn’t have power. The public called for Petilla’s reisgnation. After much agonizing, he, indeed, submitted his resignation letter to PNoy. Luckily, his resignation wasn’t accepted. Petilla later remarked that he had made the December 24 vow because he wanted to give hope to the people. Next time, dear sir, your sympathetic silence will do.
4. If you don’t like umbrellas, buy a hoodie for God’s sake
In his November 30, 2013, smackdown with the Dasmariñas Village security guards, Makati Mayor Junjun Binay’s attendant is shown following him around with an umbrella. The attendant scrambles to continue holding the umbrella over the mayor’s head as he paces. It’s a distastefully feudal arrangement that would easily have been remedied if the mayor had a hoodie.
5. It’s better to resign in haste than to resign in shame
Right after PNoy slammed the so-called non-performing government officials in his July 22 State of the Nation Address, Bureau of Customs chief Ruffy Biazon offered to resign from his post. PNoy didn’t accept his resignation then. However, Biazon eventually had to resign after the Department of Justice (DOJ) listed him as one of the people who were involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel fund scam. Biazon referred to himself as a “sacrificial lamb.”
6. When you’re accused of being the Devil, just call the other person crazy
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is involved in a long-running feud against, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, dismissed her accusations by questioning her mental health. In his November 27 privilege speech, Enrile said, “I was advised to ignore what was said about me during hearing because the abusive words were from a cuckoo, an inane, and bitterly hostile mind.”
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