To a hero who chose to inspire than to lead

To a hero who chose to inspire than to lead

Notes on the National Hero Jose Rizal 

and his contribution to the development of the Filipino identity

“Rizal cultivated all his qualities in order not to perfect them, but he practiced them in order to bring about the moral betterment of the race.

Rizal possessed a great mental caliber and he, therefore, demonstrated that the Filipino race was able to give birth to individuals endowed with the highest attributes, who could be considered an honor to the human race.

Remember that during this time, the Filipinos were considered second-class citizens. They were widely discriminated by the oppressive friars and were called Las Indias or Los Indios!”

This would be a fitting description made by Don Trinidad Herminigildo Pardo de Tavera, to a man who eventually known as the “Great Malayan”, for, to he whose work somehow inspired each and every Malayan, particularly the Filipino in making effort to create an idenity, in spite of the present-day trials that surrounded them.

It may sound too ideal and praise-ish, but Rizal, as well as other heroes, made immense efforts to inspire Filipinos, to make themselves be willing to sacrifice mind and sinew in contributing the country, not just in struggling or securing its independence, but also in developing and proving it a place in the sun as any other countries aspire to.

Ever since he observed and thus made himself wrote fiction, Rizal's life, as any other enlightened individual during his period hath been contributing to the development of the Filipino identity from its insular beginnings.

From there the latter, whose works be it in Spanish or his own native tounge hath paved way to an identity wherein the Filipino isn't about the Hispanic alone, but also from its Malayan subject- whose desire for emancipation was realised not by his views, but those whose his views been taken too seriously such as the case of Andres Bonifacio and his Katipunan.

How come? For sure not all would have taught that the formation of the Filipino identity was brought about by men like Andres Novales, the Bayot brothers, Palmero, and the like whose in spite of their Hispanic blood chose to think about independence- in a way their fellow Hispanics Bolivar or San Martin did in South America; but, with their Filipino counterparts end failed and its ringleaders executed, the memories of reforming a backward country, if not emancipating from a neglectful coloniser, deemed fresh especially those of its Malayan subject.

However, for Rizal himself, his views be deemed different- for he clinged to the view that reforms if not molding ones own character be as the basis of making a nation be on its own, as if there’s another way to have one’s own nation or a country that does not even need to undergo bloodshed; but, from his works like Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo shows otherwise that freedom may still require watering it with blood. Men like Crisostomo Ibarra end becoming Simoun, that innocents like Basilio end having the feeling of revenge as Crisostomo had all because of his painful experiences including those of his mother’s death; from those examplars be like will change be limited to piecemeal reforms or mere change of character? Perhaps one would also think that even India itself during Mahatma Gandhi’s time wasn’t limited to Gandhi himself- but also includes Bose, Baghat Singh, and others who recognises Gandhi as an independence figure, but, also knows that there are other means aside from Gandhi’s.

Anyway, in this day forward, Rizal, as any other hero may still remain as an example; although frankly speaking, he is but like any other figure being exploited upon, be it his set of thoughts or his physical appearance. The system may insist that his life and labours meant there is no need for a violent outcome the way they idealise Crisostomo Ibarra who yearned for change; yet in fact the system rather idealise Isagani or Señor Pasta whose actions were contrary to his initial statements ; but in spite of romanticising those figures, an inconvenient reality rather demands Simouns, Eliases, and Taleses, if not to move beyond from Rizal’s works like what Hernandez did in his Ibong Mandaragit with Mando Plaridel as the person who has the qualities of Ibarra and Elias.

And to think that as the system continues to exploit and oppress for decades and even in the future, then no wonder why there are those who take literally the idea of making change by all if not any means necessary.

Still "rubbish"

Still "rubbish" 

Notes after Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 

whose movies remained "rubbish" except for a few

And (still) a need for reforms and improvement 

in Filipino cinema (and culture)

It's been usual nowadays to equate today's cinema with crass commercialism. With film and cinema giants dictate what is deemed showing, it seems that today's cinema, no matter how it is heavily spent if not trying to satisfy its subjects, rather fails to create an appeal other than providing a culture that is, canned.

Admittingly speaking, for just like the past years, and in spite promises to present what as meant to be artistic and appealing, what everyone sees is a heavily invested trash that has nothing to do with emancipating people and to create a lively culture; but rather to continue using cinema, as in any other art, as a profiteering medium.

But no matter how these giants insist what is ideal for the commons (particularly using the "family" for an alibi in presenting crappy ones), not all those from the commons are satisfied from what these media giants trying to insist: in a way not all are interested in Vice Ganda or any other mainstream bullshit being presented in every moviehouse especially in today's "Metro Manila Film Festival".

With all these bullshits oversought and heard, it is worth to bear in mind that each and every Writer and artist must bear an important responsibility for discovering and training young people of talent, knowing that these youngsters who took seriously in their craft be deemed vigorous and perceptive, and in them lies the future of a country's literature and art.

Actually, There have been debates on which camp produces better films, which breeds better directors and actors, whether a film should be categorized as this or that, or even whether or not such categories should be used at all. But in spite of these, the system remains no matter how the system pleads to its subjects that art has to be conformed in "what the consumer desires", yet actually conditions the consumer to what the system desires, the growing mass of concerned also takes the task of getting rid of all stereotypes and conventions and study new situations and solve new problems in conformity with the characteristics of the country is in. And in this case probably enough of Vice Ganda, of revivals, of common topics, of bullshit that made "Metro Manila Film Festival" devoid of its significance. Even "Independent" ones are becoming less "independent" as well, that made also the concerned describing them as maindie or streamdie, due to is qualities that exude both mainstream and "indie".

Nonetheless, each has its fair share of "well-made" films as any other "well-made" art. What makes it worrisome is how movie house owners, in arms with movie bigwigs emphasise theirs over others who also take part in that film fest. From there it makes the concerned thinking that in spite of invoking the ideal of "true, good, and beautiful" via cinema, commercial viability remains the emphasis with bigwigs churning canned culture throughout.

And from there, writer Jessica Zafra complained last 2013 in a review, which continues to be relevant as ever:

"Speaking of standards, why do we bother to review the festival entries when most of them are rubbish? Because they're not supposed to be rubbish! Contrary to what you’ve been led to believe, 'entertainment' and 'commercial appeal' are not synonyms for 'garbage'. There are good commercial movies, and there are bad commercial movies. The bad outnumber the good because the studios think the viewers are idiots."

From this perhaps every concerned who truly adheres to an emancipative kind of art should help them eagerly and also make strict demands on them, so that they will not become divorced from life but will make steady progress both ideologically and in their art. In citing the late Sawamura’s, they should be serious in their quest to seek for the truth, its beauty, and goodness rather than contenting in treating art, such as Cinema as a mere money-making venture. Why on earth a country has to let its cinema, as in other art be dictated by the bigwigs who provided “canned” entertainment to the masses? Do these bigwigs truly adhere to revive or revitalise a nation's culture if they provided bullshits? Such bullshits made the concerned think that Zafra being right enough to state those words.

And as for the middle-aged, as well as the younger generation who increasingly taking part in the craft, they are becoming the mainstay of a country’s literary and art work, and should make it possible for them to contribute all they can.

"of Hope over Exploitation"

"of Hope over Exploitation"

A Christmas message for those who worked hard (yet with a meager pay and unjust agreements)
yet (still) yearning to celebrate with their loved ones
This Yuletide season

At first, this person is conveying a joyful Christmas and a promising new year to each and everyone. 

And ideally, that holiday is all about spending time with family and friends. That in spirit of Christ's birth and It’s about creating happy memories that will last a lifetime.

However, it cannot be denied the fact that under Capitalism that humanity hath becoming a cogwheel supporting an establishment’s existence.

Driven by its desire to survive if not to support itself in a time of endless crisis, one would say that humanity has almost sacrificed its right, and one of which is celebrating holidays like Christmas.

Knowing that as any other holiday, those who chose to work on that special day is driven by the fact that double pays are its by-word, and with rising costs facing upon them it made one after another be sneered by the fact that sacrificing holidays for a double pay work would be better just to earn be it for themselves or for their families as idealised.

It may sound offensive to some, but, as everyone concerned would say that people from all walks of life are meant to be enjoying with their families in spirit of the season, of giving them a just wage and less expenses rather than forcing them to work for long hours, and treating holidays almost as privileges as they compelled if not forced themselves to work on days supposed to be enjoying in a special day such as Christmas.

As an observer, celebrating holidays under Capitalism is becoming a privilege- especially to those who are burdened by their tasks yet given less pay. Ideally to celebrate it is truly a right for them like any other weekend; but with compradores or profiteers wanting to rake profits, and at the same time rising costs of commodities and taxes loom up, isn’t it that obvious for a labourer to end working even in a holiday? Shoemart, known for its contractualisation did even made its workers compelled to work 24 hours whilst others are enjoying their breaks.

In an article from GMA news, it saidth:

“At least 21 SM Markets will be open 24 hours a day on certain days this month to allow shoppers to go for a grocery run any time of the day or night during the holiday season.

These special operating hours will be in effect in the days leading up to Christmas Eve and again just before New Year's Eve.”

What more that they are being paid in their ordinary, unjust rates besides being deemed contractuals whose contracts are limited to five months and be disposed right away, if not that same establishment which was also behind the arrest and imprisonment of its employee who stole a can of corned beef out of being hungry, that shows that they all worked hard yet with meager pay and rising costs affected their health and perhaps resorting to issues like those.

For these examples, one would say that this ain’t service to the people, but rather exploitation! If not mistaken the only jobs that are continuing including holidays are those who are in the service of the state, particularly those from health, sciences, to those of national defence; but that service is tempered with their just right to enjoy holidays with their families, not affecting their payslips contrary to those from the exploiters from the private sector.

For sure as Greedy capitalists they will always find ways to siphon money from the people's pockets, of forcing its workers to work long hours including those of holidays for pittances and double pays, while at the same time being hailed as philanthropists for assuming to act as if benefactors to every institution be it orphanages or funding community housing projects; if they truly acting as beneficents, then how about their workers? Do they truly given a just wage and a good condition enough for them to uplift themselves and their families and never for them to compel to work during the holidays?

“How intense Capitalism is” said one commentator. “While the profiteer rakes more profits its workers depend in a pittance thrown unto them. And if they argue for having low wages and long working hours they are being fired!”

For sure some would say it is their right not to work during the holidays, but again the crisis-marred truth has made each and every labourer who supposed to enjoy with their family or friend be end working thinking that with every double pay, or with every additional pay for working overtime as enough to free from the crisis that hinders their development.

But instead turning themselves as cogwheels in a machine meant to siphon profits for those who desperately seeking interests. From their limited term contracts to low pay, it made them that way as if life goes on no matter how unjust. How nihil indeed then- for the nothingness these profiteers showed towards their labourers made them less Christlike no matter how they appeared Christian on the eyes of others but acting like Mammon’s servants to those who worked long hours including those of holidays! Perhaps in this season, may the good Lord help them help themselves be given justice from their unjust settings- it may sound impossible for their masters to give them what is due, but if their consciences be least knocked the way they sought towards the destitute, then perhaps give them what is meant to be deserved.

And no matter how they struggled out for retentions, of additional pay in an expense for a special day, for sure some of them are desiring to rekindle past memories with their families and friends, of sharing gifts and happiness, knowing that in spite of double pays, it does not equate to the happiness they wished for in a form of a presence, smile, even a warm embrace and a kiss from a loved one. 

"Seeking truth, beauty, and goodness to overturn commercialism and to emancipate culture and society"

"Seeking truth, beauty, and goodness
 to overturn commercialism and to emancipate culture and society"

(or Notes after Tsutomu Sawamura 

with views from Joseph Stalin and Deng Xiaoping)

Commercialism is an idea which seeks the greatest value of life in gold, while Materialism is an idea which finds the best value of life in material things. These are kindred ideas. In art, on the contrary, truth, goodness, and beauty in life are everything. 

There are those who believe that commercialism and materialism, getting more money and spending a luxurious life, sum up the happiness of life. And to acquire that happiness, they would do anything, even if it would be against the ethics of society. The artist in the other hand, is a missionary sent from heaven to protect the truth, goodness, and beauty of life. 

So, however simple his life so long as he may pursue these elements of truth, goodness, and beauty in life, he is contented. On the other hand, the commercialist even wants to enslave the art and utilise it as a means to acquire money, while the artist tries to teach these materialists the real worth of the spirit in life.

- Tsutomu Sawamura

Admittingly speaking,  that as time goes by, it seems that art hath been less emancipating as commercialism prevails over the spirit. To use Materialism seemed to be just though although that term can also be applied in the realities of life humanity sought to conquer.

As any other concerned artist, seeking for the beauty, truth, and goodness is a painstaking task that made some chose not to pursue and instead favour to treat their craft as any other money-making spree. True indeed that art can be renumerated with a just amount, but, conscience-driven artists knows that in spite of given grants, works shouldn’t be reduced to mere eye candies but mediums invoking messages enough to make humanity aware that reality demands what is true, good, and beautiful what the present order fails to present.

And from reading Tsutomu Sawamura’s message, it shows that he was like any other philosopher who tries to counter materialism, if not to ridicule Marxism with its emphasis on material (or what is seen) over the ideal (innate in the mind); but, Marxism isn’t about the pursuit of attaining the needs of humanity but rather having the will to have the power to gain the tools to create man’s needs far from its prerevolutionary limitations; if not to struggle to emancipate humanity from the borders imposed by their respective systems and its ringleaders. With the fact that men like Joseph Stalin and Deng Xiaoping invoked messages similar to Sawamura's aspiration for an emancipating art from commercialism such as “engineers of the Human soul” and “Seeking Truth from Facts” as descriptions and objectives of each and every artist, regardless of its craft.

Perhaps, since Sawamura limits materialism to blatant economic materialism/consumerism (that makes two thoughts as indistinguishable than kindred thoughts), he failed to notice that Materialism isn't about an idea which seeks the best value in life merely through material things, and if to use Marx's Dialectical materialism, it examines the subjects of the world in relation to each other within a dynamic, evolutionary environment. 

Society evolves as humanity continues to take its quest in seeking society's idealised perfectness, and in it requires developing its surroundings and that includes the people. But, before developing one has to develop its own self; in order to give nourishment to the people, one must also first absorb its own self nourishment. And who is to develop and nourish every writer and artist? To cite Deng Xiaoping, that according to Marxism, the answer can only be: the people. For the people, being the primary creator of both society and history, is driven by its desire to create what is just if not ideal to invoke what is deemed "true, good, and beautiful", therefore provide them what truly appeals, and to break the mental shackles fastened on them.

Nowadays, that late Japanese Critic and scenarist's message may still worth approving, but then reality demands the acceptance of a materialist truth: that man’s existence lies in its surroundings, of its realities, and from it lies the desire to put changes that is truly true, good, and beautiful.

And from there, to cite Stalin:

 "The production of souls is more important than the production of tanks... And therefore I raise my glass to you, writers, the engineers of the human soul".

"Seek Truth, Upheld Rights, and Take Back the Nation!"

"Seek Truth, Upheld Rights, and Take Back the Nation!"

(Upholding people's rights amidst terroristic "orderism")

by Kat Ulrike

Admittingly speaking, in spite of initial support for the presidency due to its popular-induced patriotism, it turns out to be using both populism and patriotism to his own advantage. For all after reading posts concerning the administration and its actions, the concerned somehow thinks about its country's direction: is it towards development or towards demise?

With him synonymous with the recent extralegal actions, of retreating to his initial promises in favour of continuing subservience to interests, it is worth condemning knowing that during his admnistration he chose to tolerate what is not meant to, what more that he had to be justified in the pretext of restoring order, imposing swift justice, and the like, with most of its actors doing it as if necessary to have higher ranks or gain rewards no matter how its victims be like mistaken identities.

Worse, knowing that with him self-confessed to be a "fascist", as a "stooge of imperialism", Duterte has intensified attacks against those who stood his way, particularly the growing struggle be it the peasant, the worker, the student, everyone whose desire for peace, land, bread, and justice as its desired call.

What more that he and his apologetics be like conflating organized masses with armed guerillas and tagging the latter and their affiliates as terrorists.

Initially, this post was made urging people to "seek truth from facts" under the present administration; that in supporting his desire for progress it should not hamper also the desire to expose and oppose the excesses of his actions especially those of the recent killings, but, with the advent of his statements far from his supposed "patriotism", of the recent arrests, abductions, and killings- it showed how the administration, no matter how he appears as against the oligarchs or the imperialists, is but an empty rhetoric as the latter two supported him and his extralegal quest to quash down those who stood his way.

And to think that one of the words the administration babbled about is "change" and "revolution", is it really the right word to preach about? A change or revolution to support the interests of the rotten social order like those of the Floirendos, Ayalas, Cojuangcos at the expense of the masses? True that like any other administrator it has to take pride in its infrastructure enough for a façade of progress, but with the laborers be forced to content on insufficient pay and unjust contracts, these are not meant for the people but rather to impress the few who benefited from this trickled-down nonsense. 

Imagine: by scuttling the peace negotiations (that also includes the agreement on socio-economic reforms), of threatening every peacemakers and patriots with arrests and abductions, what more that red scare hath been intensified, and redescribe those who stood his way as terrorists, Duterte's neo-Marcosian "orderism" at the behest of his allies meant consolidating interests such as landlords for their holdings, compradores for their coffers, of course they seriously disagree the idea of addressing the roots of peasant and labor unrest that hath to be resolved by means of genuine agrarian reform and national industrialisation, both of which may pave way to genuine development that benefits not just the disenfranchised sectors, but also their communities and nonetheless the country itself as it redeems from its dependency from multinational interests. 

For all these situations the right word for today is "thermidor" or even "reaction" instead of  "revolution". And to think that with many people end gone killed in this system-sponsored bloodbath, the system who preaches change actually treats it as an aesthetic and in regards to its acts has to be emphasising on collateral damages enough to sow fear first.

This Human Rights day, people from all walks of life should know the fact that the system today, no matter how it preaches words like change will always be the same: focusing on their interests at the expense of the people.

And from there no wonder why the people chose to resist, of seeking truth from facts, of asserting the desire for national and social liberation.

“Almost Leaving without any trace”

“Almost Leaving without any trace”

As rapid urbanisation continuously takes its position in Philippine society, each and every space hath to be adjusted to the needs of a growing metropolis, particularly with the emergence of various structures enough to cater in an existing district.

However, in most urbanised enclaves, limited land area occurs, and in response, in-fill developments and in most cases, demolition of various existing structures are being made enough to pave way for “modern settings”.

Cannot deny it especially if the system who assumes to be dynamic tries to invoke a sense of urban continuity and modernity in that district, but on the other hand, it also result to the reduction of open spaces, potential loss of cultural heritage leading to urban disorders, that also contributes to degeneration of a national identity.

Ideally, the significance of ones structure, especially due to its timeless character and physical features done by those times, created a lasting identity; it also reflected the socio-economic state of the place as people served it as a place for events, economic matters, anything significant and contributative to a growing society.

But in this present time, and with people preferring to “move on” from the past, various structures, no matter how historically or culturally significant, are increasingly threatened as it deteriorates through time. It may sound appealing to some about preservation, conservation, and the like; but reality goes otherwise especially in an order wherein invoking the illusion that progress meant this and the other meant degradation or blight; Let's take Escolta and the entire districts of Sta Cruz-Binondo for an example: most of its ages-old buildings are known for its history like the Regina, Perez-Samanillo, Calvo, and Uy Chaco. However, these edifices, no matter how known it is, are still struggling to maintain with higher costs of maintenance, property taxes, and the changing nature of the district, making others chose to abandon altogether and hence be susceptible to demolition. In the case of El Hogar it was almost Demolished, or in the case of Philbanking near Anda rotunda it was threatened. But luckily there are concerned groups who insisted that there should be tax cuts if not exceptions for those heritage-filled properties, and to encourage others to revitalise districts almost lost to degeneration.

Yet in spite of all these efforts and exhortations by the concerned, still not all are interested in that idea of preserving and making it adapted, with alibis ranging from "overspending" to the subjective view that "no one cares about heritage", what more that "the old ones must go in favour of the new" in the case of some of the buildings of the University of the East Manila campus end burned (either by electrical wiring or insurance?). Most of the structures were made decades-old and been retrofitted as what the University administrators saidth, but with the burning occurred, the administrators hath no choice but to demolish it: be it because of the structure’s weakness, or, plain and simple plan to restructure that part of the campus into a “dynamic" one in par with its neighbours.
For a nostalgic, worrying is its first expression knowing that those structures meant memories of their youth, and for that expect that there are those who wanted to see the campus rebuild whether as it was  (and hence be improved to make it adaptable to the present) while those rather agreed to its administrator’s decision to restructure altogether with new buildings and appearance.

And admittingly speaking, in seeing that area bluntly demolished including the chapel really invokes one’s nostalgic expression-and even wished that why not have the once-radically built Chapel be retained at least? While leaving the rest for that kind of development that is, contradicting as the old, demolished ones were concrete and the planned others are to be in brick.

All in all, it's been usual to see everything almost without any trace of identity. Be it Makati, Quezon City, or Manila, development at its full blasts with demolitions left and right including those with splendid significance. But again, thankfully that there are concerned nostalgics who insist that there is some speck of relevance and hence hath to be saved; but then the vast mass of apathetically indifferent beings chose to let go as if history hath nothing to do with them. Developers would even say messages like "to demolish the old and create new", coupled with statements such as "life goes on" if not "not all things are worth keeping for."
And from those statements one would think that matter how it was designed or the person behind who made that place known, today's "development" under Capitalism has nothing to do with reviving, if not treating heritage as any other aesthetic then letting it go afterwards.

Anyway, why is it this person, like others concerned sees the issue on heritage as serious as most people chose to get over and move on? Is it because of nostalgia? Frankly speaking then YES, but it is more than just nostalgia alone- in this present time, every significant edifice are threatened increasingly. And as urbanisation intensifies, the process of heritage decay is increasingly inevitable due to the post-industrial, commercialised urban constructions thrived over while on the other lies time-dependent nature of most heritage sites.

Otherwise, if to follow those who are as if in a "middle way" between nostalgics and those who are not, then why not move all every structure, every remarkable edifice to Bataan and leave the entire district to their idealised "modernity" Developers desperately wanted? Perhaps the so-called "move on" generation insisted that way as if it "decongests" Metro Manila from its dilapidated pasts and favours a consumeristic future wherein every edifice, ever structure, every square, every way, is aligned by interests.

"Struggle! Whether like it or not!"

"Struggle! Whether like it or not!"

Notes on the recent clamour for Duterte's "Revolutionary Government"

And how there are people still take the road less traveled 

in spite of all the dangers all for the Revolution

The recent calls for "revolutionary government" in Manila's Mendiola street hath been the topic of the day in spite of it's once-promoter's statement withdrawing the intent.

With all the tarpaulins, chants, and speeches coming from its advocates, the call for a "revolutionary government" seems to be a demand to "restore total order",  of the rally organizers, Tony Gonzales, saidth that they all wanted to push for a revolutionary government through a people’s initiative because “Congress does not believe in this.”

However, in spite of being few in numbers, what made it mobilisable for these red-clad crowds was the free flow of porridge coming from a soup kitchen known for supporting the administration: for as they all fall in lines waiting for that hot gruel enough to fill their stomachs and at the same time listening to the speeches whose desire to restore "order" is in the guise of creating a "revolution", that made the concerned deemed ridiculous be it the intent or how they mobilise people: is it for the cause or for the food?

No matter how the president saidth that his call had been taken out of context, if not insisted through his mouthpieces that that "he does not want a revolutionary government", there were those who missed his predicate that he would declare a revolutionary government only if the country was in trouble, and the situation brought about by the system and its cohorts made it clear that the president wanted to restore order in which people may describe it as "revolutionary" in its "character". 

Meanwhile, on the other side of the fence, masses, especially those who end sidelined by the admninistration in favour of neoliberals and militarists hath marched from Liwasang Bonifacio down to Recto all in pursuit of entering Mendiola.

But instead of an open way leading to their supposed site, they all end blocked by the police along with a fire truck ready to fire, a scuffle almost occurred between the protesters and the policemen, only to be negotiated that the activity end settled in Recto corner Lepanto, with all the effigy burnings, speeches, all about commemorating Andres Bonifacio as well as expressing disgust over Duterte and his still-toyings with that "revolutionary idea", what more that Ferdinand Gaite, one of its speakers, hath urged the policemen to "go to the people" than getting contented in the pittances coming from an interest-seeking admninistrator who still sneering every rank and file with "bigger salaries" yet still depending on actually-existing pittances. The event at Mendiola still continues with its hot gruel, speeches, pray-overs (with a critic described as "would be mistaken for sieg heils"), and some dance numbers enough to entertain those red-clad apologists.

And from these scenarios,  both the president's supporters as well as the opposition marched across Metro Manila and in the provinces on Thursday, the 154th anniversary of the Filipino revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio, carrying the desire whether to support the "orderism" Duterte desired, or, its opposition due to its fascistic tendencies.

Perhaps ever since Duterte taketh over the Presidency, he has adopted and implemented without letup an all-out war policy against those who chose to resist. Sneakingly in a sense that whilst accommodating the radicals in the pretense of unity, he continued military operations such as the last months of Aquino's "Oplan Bayanihan" followed by his own's "Oplan Kapayapaan." And contrary to its names, the intent is clear that the system, as in the past, chose to intensify its operations, as if there is no ceasefire, they never withdrew into their barracks.

For the apologist, they would say that these are in response to their enemy's continued offensive. They would even say that their enemy does not even respect their own ceasefire, if not justifying their action as a necessary move such as occupy communities and conduct procedures enough to consider as a human rights violation.

And if so, is this the 'revolutionary government" being babbled about? That "revolution", more of a "thermidor" so to speak, is sort of a neo-Arroyoite or even a neo-Marcosian outcome as each and every individual end being killed or abducted due to mistaken identity or because of its belief. It is neo-Arroyo in a sense that it had to accommodate neoliberals like his economic team of Dominguez and Perenia, and at the same time Neo-Marcosian for as it romanticises the "glorious past" such as a militarist one this time led by a trigger happy uniformed thugs.

Perhaps because of all the events surrounding the administration and its shift to the "reaction", what more that it is redescribed as a "revolution" by its apologists, lies its militant, or even a "revolutionary" response that most of which costs lives. As said earlier, there are numerous actions brought about by the system, and the ones killed by the system, be it armed or unarmed, regardless of who they are yet serious in their zeal, are political soldiers who truly devoted to a patriotic and social cause. They called for a fresh ethos within society and for emergence of a generation who willing to take part in the construction, innovation, and liberation of society.

The system, however, in spite of recognising them, chose to be indifferent and at the same time destroying them. They preach the “virtues of individualism” while at the same time babbling about collective unity; the wonders of capitalism is greatly enphasised while invoking terms like social Justice or any other statement enough to divert people from conquering the state.

And these are alongside the idea of destroying them with impunity, what more that they are shown names and be treated like pests as if “they earned their lesson”.

As a writer, like most of the concerned, would say that in those kinds of scenarios shows that from a continuous resistance lies immense sacrifice. Be it mind or in sinew, those who chose to resist contributed much that sometimes affected their lives, and yet they chose to be committed as they put their "love" in it no matter how mainstream media may still insist how worthless their fighting is especially if one of them is killed or captured such as a young faced yet grim and determined being. But in spite of those challenges, these political soldiers seriously devoted its own time and energy to spread the awareness of patriotism and social emancipation to each and every affected class not just by firing every weapon against the attack dogs of the system alone.

Sounds ideal and at the same time impossible especially if the youth takes the goal of struggle. But reality urges them to do so knowing that they, along with affected sectors, sees that in seeing truth from every fact, urges them to do the impossible tasks, including those of admitting the fact that a worthy death leads to a thousand ones willing to take over theirs.

Otherwise, if the present order prevails, no matter how they preach “change”, or even that “revolution” of theirs, it actually invokes “change” for the worse. And obviously, the more people ridicule or oppose the system, shows how it is growing daily more unacceptable, daily more unbearable. And since Chesterton was right that "The modern tyrant is evil because of his elusiveness. He is more nameless than his slave. He is not more of a bully than the tyrants of the past; but he is more of a coward.", then make each and everyone who is aware be prepared.

Confronted on every side by various forms of injustices, disenfranchisements, and exploitations, for sure one would ask: “what can you do?” You can’t just move on for that and ignore the reality, but instead: fight, fight, and fight again! True that modernity brings improvement with all the state of the art things particularly those of gadgetry, but to see still an exploited order particularly those who create these things deemed "modern", then perhaps let that modernity point against those who exploit than remain being spineless and contented. Like the ones who fought and died lies the fact that reality unfurled the banners of truth, freedom, service, sacrifice as more and more be willing to take part in a struggle no matter what the system and its apologists insist how “worthless” it is.

All in all, for all the martyrs and for the living but still fighting for the cause of national and social liberation, here's an inspirational quote:

FIAT PAX IN VIRTUTE TUA,
ET ABUNDANTIA IN TURIBUS TUIS.

MAY PEACE BE WITHIN YOUR RAMPARTS, 

AND GREAT PROSPERITY BE WITHIN YOUR TOWERS.