Today’s old English idiom or quotation is considered a sharp reminder for people, particularly leaders and public speakers, to be more self-aware. While Filipinos are familiar with the phrase, it is not often used in order to avoid conflict or confrontation.
There are of course similar and equally sharp Pinoy terms with the same intent and effect such as ‘Ang lakas ng dating mo’ or ‘You come on too strong.’ Same intent, different arrival.
‘Listening to yourself talk’ is also very wise, especially after doctors and medical experts such as Dr. Frank Luntz have often pointed out that ‘it’s not what you say, it’s what people hear’ or ‘what we think we said is not what we think people heard’ or expected.
But for today’s application, I would use it as a suggestion to officials and leaders to follow the practice among many broadcasters, both on TV and radio, who review or listen to the tape of their latest work.
Unless you are egotistical, watching yourself can be very uncomfortable. Back when I was still on radio, TV/cable, I did my best to regularly watch or listen to the latest episode that I hosted or co-hosted.
The point was to critically rate or review yourself, take note of your work and figure out how to improve on them or on yourself.
For the most part, doing the review could be ho-hum, been there, done that. But every now and then you pick up on wrong grammar, being distracted or ‘hearing but not listening,’ as one guest pointed out on live TV.
The other big mistake among public speakers and hosts is not knowing your audience or having a feel for what is important for your audience. Back when I used to teach at the Development Academy of the Philippines, I regularly shared a story on public speaking for government officials.
There was once a government official who was invited to be the guest speaker at a large event. He arrived 15 minutes early, shook hands with committee members and the emcee, who read two pages of his most important professional accomplishments.
The official walked up the stage, well dressed and composed and started giving his talk, complete with a comprehensive power point. When he finished, he was well applauded, after which the official made his way out towards his next appointment.
In their vehicle, the official asked his chief of staff for feedback on his speech and delivery. He was praised for his style, brevity, details and giving an almost perfect speech. ‘An almost perfect speech?’ the official asked. ‘It was all good sir, except none of the audience speak or understand English.’
Believe it or not, I have seen this once too often. Individuals or VIPs giving speeches or presentations where the intro or bio data of the speaker is just as long as their speech, using data or a power point that is ‘nose bleed’ or over the top for the audience.
Then there are speeches that fall under the category of something ‘full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.’ Or using a shotgun and wasting pellets. One such speech, the SONA 2026 of PBBM, falls under this category.
For starters, the President touched on the pending criminal charges yet to be filed against his first cousin Martin Romualdez. After months of ‘coming soon’ teasers, tell us something we don’t already know.
Not a few people expected to hear that a warrant of arrest was already issued and failing to do so backfired on the President.
The President hit the spot when he talked about removing the ‘systems loss and VAT charge’ for electricity. But instead of being happy like his congressional allies, the public reacted with ambivalence.
People are now asking why PBBM did not also suggest removing the Feed-In Tariff where Filipinos pay a tax incentive for pioneer and renewable energy investments of the private corporations.
Opening up the gates to democratic use of residential solar power free of LGU fees and taxes would have generated more applause since the GSIS, SSS and BPI have already made financing for solar available.
Speaking of congressional allies, PBBM did a fast, almost muted mention of ‘legislators’ arrested in connection with the ghost flood control projects. The generic reference was politically correct while indirectly avoiding the elephant in the room, a.k.a the Cong-Tractors or members of Congress under suspicion.
What I found personally disturbing was the flood of references to social welfare programs, ayudas that cater mostly to people below the poverty line but no counter programs aimed at self-sufficiency, self-reliance and awareness programs or education on self-care and healthy lifestyle. Even worse was no mention of new hospitals.
Thank you to our reader for this valuable suggestion:
‘I’ve read your column re grab bars. I’ve installed these in our three bathrooms. Aside from that, I suggest that people over 60 yo (I’m now 78 yo) must not lock the bathroom door anymore while taking a bath or doing their daily constitution.
‘My cousin and a friend had a heart attack or stroke while taking a bath, both died. My cousin was able to shout for help but his wife was not able to do anything.
‘In both cases, the bathroom door had to be smashed for them to gain entry.’