Parallels October 3, 2007

There are quite a number of things that dumbfound me about the Filipino culture. But the one that staggers me the most is the collective fixation of the masses on anything sensationalized on television, more than any other mass media. So much so that a former action star with very little education was elected president of this country, and then impeached for plunder charges, and a former news anchor is our current vice-president. We have more than one action star in the Senate, and a number of celebrity city councilors. More recently, a wealthy boxing champion with an unimpressive curriculum vitae ran for public office in the local elections, saying he would want to help mitigate poverty. It seems that for these people, one moment of glory is never enough. The lure of the limelight does not merely end in movie studios or accolades; it even extends to fervent hopes of one day seeing their names in history textbooks.

Perhaps the more apt observation would be that in this country, showbusiness and politics are one and the same. We are no longer surprised that more celebrities are running for government positions, because in the first place, political candidates exploit the media to an overwhelming degree during the campaign period that they become overnight celebrities themselves. They spend millions of pesos, selling their platforms over their medium of choice, paying novelty songwriters to compose their campaign jingles, hiring bands during sorties, and finally when their own representations do not work, request a well-known showbiz personality to endorse them. Last May elections, Koko Pimentel had Angel Locsin, Manny Villar had Boy Abunda, and for the luckier ones who had artistas in the family, they were conveniently marketed by them, as expected – Noynoy Aquino easily endorsed by her sister Kris Aquino, Ralph Recto by wife Vilma Santos and stepson Luis Manzano, and Kiko Pangilinan by wife Sharon Cuneta. While there is nothing off beam with such strategies, acknowledging that the Filipino masses adore showbusiness and television, what astonishes me even more is that indeed Philippine politics has evolved into something like a vicious circus, and runs more parallel with the dramas and hilarity that characterize the pretentious, shallow world of superstars.

If Kris Aquino, for instance, became a famous actress and a highly-paid endorser because she is an Ateneo graduate who majored in English literature, and is one of the more articulate artistas today, on top of being the daughter of a former president and a national hero, we do not find anything wrong with that. But all the same, her fame and prominent lineage does not automatically make her fit to run for public office in the 2010 or 2016 elections. A good command of the English language, a dose or two of emotional maturity, and a fine pedigree, is not license enough for authentic intelligence, nor does it automatically mean she is credible enough for public service. The fact that there are less eloquent celebrities who run in the elections does not make her a more perfect candidate. We have nothing against Ms. Aquino, but if she thinks that a bachelor’s degree and a wide fan base are enough reasons to run for office, as what she has retorted to some of her harshest critics, then she is no better than those highly educated chimpanzees in the government hiding behind their charming popularity.

Even more unfortunate is the brazen way our dear politicians strive to bask in their own inglorious publicity by spurring more lies, sham, pretensions, and finger pointing. These charlatans are experts in their field, deluding the hapless public in one great make-believe. And when caught, they instantly put on their pathetic “cute-puppy” countenance, not so much for the purpose of face-saving, but more so in the proliferation of the charade they have so ingeniously crafted in the first place. Why, most of them even hide under the umbrella of religious groups, and some are seen kissing the hands of popes, or piously attending Sunday Mass! What fine performers we have indeed, in this multicolored circus, where the animals are perfectly fed and the spotlights ever intensified.

Ironically, it is politics that makes more profit, grooms more personalities, and elicits more drama and pathetic amusement, further than the glamorized world of showbusiness. So at which point do they meet? In the world of celebrities and in the world of politicians, everyone wants to be a superstar. Everyone seems bent to die in the clutches of money and fame, nothing else. They shudder at the thought of retirement, of seeing their superstardom fade into anonymity. Thus, the public office rat race. Thus, the flamboyant show of public interest.

Kris Aquino and her fellow artistas might as well run for public office, for all I care. At this point, there are no exceptions to be made. In our wretched country, showbusiness and politics are one.

Bride of Chucky October 1, 2007

There is something about our president that is so uncanny. Sure, she looks innocent and pleasant enough, what with her diminutive height all dolled up in Paul Cabral suits and gowns, designer heels, and an ear-to-ear smile for an accessory. She speaks good English, delivers immaculate speeches, and looks unfazed with all the scandals and natural catastrophes that have shaken our little archipelago to its core, appears confident enough in the presence of powerful world leaders, and doesn’t look her prime age at sixty. But there is something about her that has always kept me intrigued, one might say, and eventually I have grown to distrust her civility, her outward confidence, and her schoolgirl smiles. That day when President Estrada finally stepped out of the Malacanang Palace, the nationalist in me rejoiced silently, optimistic that finally this country will soon rise from its long-forgotten ashes. I celebrated even more, sensing that the then vice-president seemed to be the exact antithesis of the ousted president: well-schooled and articulate, an economist by education, unaffiliated with the showbiz world, and a female.

Staring at the television that day, tirelessly watching coverage after coverage of the EDSA Dos Revolution, and the proclamation of the new leader, I did notice however, that there was something about the new head-of-state that bothered me. She was smiling crazily, as if she were on booze, grinning with unabashed triumph and celebration, as Senator Teofisto Guingona raised her hand, facing the countless Filipino masses that trooped to EDSA in an admirable showing of faith, unity, and nationalism. It appeared to me that she was too happy to be president, someone atat na atat to be in control of power. Yes, there was cause for celebration that day, but then again at that point the battle would have been far from over; the impeachment case would soon follow, stocks would be adversely affected by all the political turmoil, and as always, our economy would need a 360 degree overhaul. She nonetheless, could barely conceal her foolish excitement, her apparent giddiness for making history, in the face of such an unfortunate event that would hound this country for years to come. My eyes stayed glued to the television but I remember feeling uneasy, perturbed at the way she waved and waved, and owned the stage as if she had won the national elections, or the one-billion jackpot lottery.

So, six fateful years later, I was proven right. This doll-faced president has been implicated in numerous controversies, all of which she has treated with a shameless indifference. During her reign, our country has been branded as the second most dangerous place for journalists, next to Iraq, by reason of countless killings of activist-journalists. She confessed to communicating with an election official during the 2004 elections, and with a “cute-puppy” face, repeated apologies to the Filipino people over live television. Her infamous husband too, has dragged her name in his own web of transgressions, such as the Jose Pidal controversy, and more recently, the NBN ZTE Deal, which our doll-faced president has approved in slapdash fashion as if it was her and not the people’s money that was at stake. Whether or not all these accusations will prove them responsible in the end still remains to be seen. After all, didn’t we just look the other way when the Hello Garci hubbub erupted, accepting her sorry as if she merely stole a piece of bubblegum?

No, I do not hate our Madame President. She is indeed intelligent, a devout Catholic, and has her own brand of charisma. Sometimes, I find myself admiring her resiliency, the way she remains stoic and expressionless in the wake of intrigues, and her strong confidence in the country’s economy. But I do not claim to love her either. I just could not bring myself to do so, because that would be a feeble pretense on my part.

There is something uncanny about her, which I find so disconcerting. Each time, she reminds me of a chubby-faced porcelain doll who conceals her evil powers behind her toothy smile.

For our poor country’s sake, I hope I’m wrong.