by Melchor Vergara
We chanced upon a netizen post showing a supposed photograph of a road intersection in the Philippines where vehicles figured in a race to cross, ending up in an unbelievable traffic mess. The caption read, “Onli in da pilipins.”
We did a reverse image search and as we suspected, the photo was not taken in PH, but in Vietnam.
We didn’t think the post was intended to be satire — rather, fake news.
As the Philippine government unveils plans for a whopping P170 billion rehab project for the notorious Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), one can’t help but wonder if this is just another attempt to slap a fresh coat of paint on a sinking ship.
Despite the hefty investment and promised improvements, the elephant in the room remains unaddressed – the cursed name, NAIA. No amount of pesos thrown or upgrades installed can cleanse the stain of “tanim-bala,” “nakaw-pera,” or the infamous sauna experience associated with NAIA. It’s like trying to put lipstick on a pig and expecting it to win a beauty pageant.
International pilots, weary passengers, and beleaguered control tower staff know the truth: the name itself is synonymous with chaos. Perhaps it’s time to heed the call for change and rebrand. After all, who wouldn’t prefer a warm “Welcome to Manila!” over the cold shiver of “Welcome to NAIA”?
In the theater of Philippine politics, where ego and power intertwine, we find Joseph Morong reporting on the curious case of Ramon Ang, head of San Miguel Corporation, and his stance on the renaming of NAIA to MIA. As SMC wins the bid to oversee operations, Ang’s opposition to the change raises eyebrows. If only he diverted some of his attention from boardrooms to social media, he might sense the overwhelming public outcry to strip NAIA of its pseudo-heroic facade. However, amidst this melodrama, a glimmer of hope emerges: Ang acknowledges the limits of his influence. For once, a titan of industry concedes that the fate of a national landmark lies not in his hands, but in the realm of law. So let us watch with bated breath as the saga unfolds, and perhaps, just perhaps, reason might prevail over ego.
The Adobo Chronicles 
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