The God of Calvin and The Presidential Limousine

She thinks she is providence... She thinks she is the God of Calvin, she sees the beginning and the end.

What people don't realize about being the Messiah is that mere presence is enough to save.

What's even more ironic is that nobody needs saving. We've all been saved already.

So I'd rather be providence, the God of Calvin or the Messiah than someone always pathetically crying out to be saved.

***

Because the Philippines is in a State of Emergency, I'm wary to attend class all the way to UP. But Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself gives me a ride.

I'm sitting beside her on the back of the Presidential Limousine and she talks about her family. I ask her, "Do they always support your crazy schemes?"

Pretty soon I start feeling guilty. I know why she's giving me a ride. She knows I want to be president. She knows I wish her dead.

I draw a breath and concentrate on small talk.

"Doesn't it feel like summer?"

She doesn't only drop me off at UP. She walks me to class. It's such a hassle, walking beside this small tiresome woman, who won't leave me alone. We meet Butch Dalisay on the way to my class room and I feel obliged to make the introductions.

Soon afterwards, Gloria leaves me alone and as much as I hate her, I wish I arranged for her to lend me her car so I could have a safe ride home.