The accumulated garbage was actually a stark warning to us that if we continue with our lack of proper garbage disposal system and bad habit of throwing trash wherever we want, we would be buried under the smelly pile just like what happened in Payatas in Quezon City many years ago and in Rizal landfill early this year.

While President Marcos on July 27 enjoined the nation not to yield against those who disrespect us apparently referring to the insult that Chinese-government controlled media made related to the West Philippine Sea maritime conflict, protesters not so far from the 2026 State of the Nation venue, were burning the American flag and effigy of Donald Trump.

Surveys show that Filipinos trust highly the United States. But to members of the militant group, Bayan, that positive feeling does not extend to President Donald Trump and State Secretary Marco Rubio who was here in Manila for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers and their dialogue partners July 20 to 24.