The ongoing made-for-television impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona has millions of Pinoys, including this near-sighted Ibaloi writer, guessing what’s going to happen next in this edge-of-your-seat “legal thriller” filled with dramatic moments galore. With a cast of characters including an Enrile, Marcos, Estrada and even a Tatad and Maceda watching from the gallery, one can’t help but think back and feel weird all over. Add to the dramatis personae are several honorable action stars and a comedian and this trial has the hallmarks of becoming a blockbuster.

If this isn’t enough, we have a well-meaning President who, correct me if I’m wrong, seems to have already decided on the respondent’s guilt and equally well-meaning senator-judges some of whom, correct me if I’m wrong, are seemingly biased and eyeing desperately for re-election next year. That’s democracy, I guess. What can I say? It’s more fun in the Philippines! Just kidding.

Seriously now, I pray for the swift and successful resolution of this impeachment trial and may the truth be found and justice be rightfully served. We are a nation of laws and not of men. May this historic event strengthen our democratic institutions and unite and not divide us as a people. Lastly, may this trial not distract our honorable leaders from helping solve our beloved nation of delicious coconuts, smiling carabaos and some overweight Padre Damasos’ other problems like grinding poverty, lack of jobs, rising oil prices, environmental degradation, insurgency and others.

Anyway, for the first half of this month, the Burnham Park tourism information center had inquiries from 154 local and 32 foreign visitors. The latter include tourists from Korea, Canada, Poland, USA, Germany, Russia, Venezuela, UK, Japan and Australia. They were given maps and advised the best places to go in the city, among others. About 66 buses were also surveyed by SLU, PWU, and NIIT-Baguio on-the-job-trainees at the Burnham parking area filled with visitors from all over the country as far as Cotabato City. Most came for seminars, conventions and sight-seeing tours.

I’m on radio Mondays, 10 to 11 a.m. at DZEQ Radyo ng Bayan for Turismo ngayon and occasionally report on tourism issues at Z Radio, DZWT, and Bombo Radyo. I’m on TV Fridays, 10 to 11 a.m. over Skycable channels 12 and 14 for Usapang turismo.

Our prayers for a quick and full recovery to former BSU president Rogelio Colting and Baguio information officer Ramon Dacawi. Prayers for miraculous healing also to newsmen Nap Javier and Gerry Evangelista.

Here’s “If We Must Die” by the American poet Claude McKay: “If we must die – let it not be like hogs/ Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,/ While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,/ Making their mock at our accursed lot./ If we must die – oh, let us nobly die,/ So that our precious blood may not be shed/ In vain; then even the monsters we defy/ Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!/ Oh, kinsmen! We must meet the common foe;/ Though far outnumbered, let us still be brave,/ And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!/ What though before us lies the open grave?/ Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,/ Pressed to the wall, dying but –fighting back!”

Until next week and may our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep us all safe.