There’s no question about it. Pfc. Antonio Cadiente, Airman 2nd Class Gener Laguindam, Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez and Police Officer 1 Danilo Malab gave us an outstanding display of physical conditioning, endurance and discipline.

It comes as no surprise that the four Honor Guards are now being treated as celebrities of some sort. Media outfits have come out with reports and commentary about them. And, as can be expected, at least one politico has been unable to resist riding on the attention these four are getting at the moment.

Senator Pia Cayetano — who also happens to be a triahtlete — knows exactly how physically difficult it was to do what those four Honor Guards did. She notes that standing motionless for a long duration of time is even harder than walking or running. Unable to contain her admiration, Senator Cayetano has announced that she will file a resolution to commend the four Honor Guards for being role models of what a public servant should be.

HUUUUWWWWWAAAATTTT?!?

Is she saying public servants should be motionless for long periods of time?

Here’s a quote of the senator lifted from a GMANews.tv report:

“They did their job well and I will file a resolution commending them because it is symbolic of what people in public service should do. Whatever your job is, do it well,” Cayetano said Thursday during the weekly news forum at the Senate.

“For the soldiers who did their simple job but did it well through rain and storm, without food, without rest, I think that was an effort on their part that they did it without need of attention. They did not speak, they did not call attention pero kapansin-pansin ang ginawa nila,” Cayetano said.

That clears it. But still isn’t this a bit over the top? I won’t deny it I was impressed myself with those Honor Guards. But, a commendation from the Senate no less?!? WADAPAK! Are we so lacking in sources of true inspiration that we have to make a big deal out of every little “exceptional” thing?

On second thought, maybe it is I who is making a big deal out of nothing. What’s this pending Senate commendation anyway aside from being an effective self-promotional tool? Well, it just happens to be one of those things that tend to bring down the Filipino’s standards for greatness. Something similar to this.