Thoughts after Noynoy Aquino's death

Thoughts after Noynoy Aquino's death

This note needs not to explain further, but in the end, it is the discretion of someone else whether to move on or mourn- especially to a person who has fair share of fame and shit. Pardon for the latter, especially after those times of inclusive growth, attempts for "sound" reforms, even defending a nation's sovereign rights against a sleeping dragon, and from being a borrower to a creditor country. On the other hand, he and his administration was implicated in such tragic events such as SAF44, Typhoon Yolanda, Lumad Killings and closure of Lumad schools, the failure of the land reform program (despite passage of CARPER), even the corruption-marred PDAF and DAP, and of course, the peace negotiations between the government and rebel forces.  

For the ordinary, they can be easily swayed by criticism of "simply because he's a Cojuangco-Aquino", "an oligarch", a "yellow", and hence susceptible to be heckled and prayed for his death two and fro; But for a concerned, that by recognising those feats and failures would say that "it would be nicer" by treating his legacy with a grain of salt- that would realise Noynoy first and foremost sworn to upheld a corrupt, antiquated social order that the folk of course, detested badly same as his surname; while recognising that same Noynoy who tries to make his subjects bringing faith back in the administration if not the government in its entirety. 

Otherwise, he's just a man prone to criticism because of his mistakes, shitstorm because of his appearance, and an outright ignore as any other stranger. It so happened that he's the president of the "republic", and realistically speaking, people would have "moved on" for this as if nothing happened if not for the pronunciamentoes blared from print, radio, tv, and even online.

Perhaps, let people mourn for him, and let others criticise the bullshitries done during his administration, after all, this country tries to appear "democratic" as possible; but reality becomes more obvious that people will just shrug it off as any other event because "they're busy" and therefore "leaving it to god", if not telling frankly that "they don't go to somebody else's wakes".

“When love of country means setting them on fire”

“When love of country means setting them on fire”

(Thoughts after Jose Rizal’s

Birthday)

Few years ago, president Duterte once said that the youth should emulate Jose Rizal. From his speech made during the December 30th death anniversary of the country's own "National Hero", Duterte, as any other leader, was trying to rally the youth by telling to follow Rizal’s example of patriotism and dedicate themselves to serve the nation. 

 “Rizal's ardent love of country and unfettered desire to cultivate not only his intellect but also the intelligence of his countrymen have led to a reawakening of the Filipinos' patriotism and sense of responsibility,” Duterte said. “May his shining example to always think of the greater good be emulated by generations of our youth who look up to him today,” he added. 

Sounds as same as any other statement especially in commemorating a hero like Rizal. In a time when youths are being belittled by their elders, of being succumbed to consumerist delusions in the name of modernity the message is itself as same as the others- to be an empty rhetoric. 

Not surprising isn’t it? For despite honouring Rizal both in his birth and in death, he’s reduced to some kind of a person to be venerated yet misunderstood by anyone, even the government who afforded to encourage through its flattery. Apologies for the thought, but reality bites. For the fact that the youth remains disenfranchised as those of the affected sectors, they did their best to keep the embers of national consciousness to remain alive and in touch with the times. But the order rather stunts it and reduced to mere idealism making the desire for change based on justice as some kind of choice. The community Pantry movement of Patricia Non was praised for being an act of charity, but Non’s motives aren’t charity alone but those of community solidarity- to which the government and its apologists belittle even accuse her of subversion. Like Rizal whose works as motivated by the desire for justice, her actions is itself motivated by responding to the call of the needy folks especially in this time of crisis, disquiet, and rage- and from it expect slander, mockery.

Perhaps, in his birth anniversary, this note would say that like Rizal and other heroes those who are truly concerned wished to continue with all their creativity and knowledge the unfinished works no matter that goddamn order tries to belittle them. For sure everyone had enough of spectacles and the treatment of works as mere literary and historical feats. They all had enough of modern day Tandang Basio Macunats, Propers, Hermana Penchangs, Damasos, Salvis, and even Isaganis. And contrary to the system’s idealising of Crisostomo Ibarra, reality becomes Simoun-like, of Salome rather than Maria Clara, altogether wanting to set fire against the world.

Long live the Philippines, Goddamit!

Long live the Philippines, Goddamit!

(A message for Independence day)

At first, this note bids greetings to the Filipino folk in its day of its struggle for Independence. 

As the Filipino folk observe this day of commemoration, this note expresses all concerned patriots to continue more resolutely in seeking truth from facts and struggle amidst this ever-continuing treachery brought by the present order with its shameless giving up of patrimony and sovereignty. 

For the fact that this order, through the current Duterte administration, first and foremost sworn to upheld its vassalage by maintaining the status quo of local despots, of unequal agreements with foreign masters, that have reduced this occasion into an hollow phrase, a totem pole. 

How come? Way contrary to his supporter's views, Duterte rather continues those of his predecessors in instituting neoliberal and oppressive policies ranging from rice tarrification, debt servicing, TRAIN law, attempts to remove economic provisions, to those of his "war on drugs" and of the "anti terror act." These actions cater much to interests, of both Chinese and Americans att he expense of the people's welfare. Electric generation is at the hands of the Chinese not just the contested Spratlys and Panatag shoal, that through rice liberalisation meant smugglers and profiteers raking profits at the expense of the farmers and of the hungry mass, the country remains to be a neoliberal-globalist cog as cheap labour, resource extraction, displacement of communities for "development",  and remaining a servile market for surplus products and capital. For the neoliberals and globalists alike, this is the "development" they desired for- even at the expense of the folk and its patrimony. Call it a repetition, but this kind of continuity brought by the order is a continuity of disenfranchisement and injustice. 

And to think that Duterte, trying to be assuming as a "patriot" if not a "nationalist", has treated Philippine independence, territories, and sovereignty as commodities to be sold to the highest U.S. or Chinese imperialist bidder for economic concessions. He has allowed China to pilfer our economic resources and build military bases in the West Philippine Sea, thus effectively crippling the livelihood of fisherfolks. Even belittling the decision in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea rule uphelding the Philippines' exclusive economic zone over the contested Panatag and Spratlys. "That’s just paper; I’ll throw that in the wastebasket" as what he said, way too contrary to his "patriot" or "nationalist" stance his supporters babbled about. He even maintained the decades-old vassalage to U.S. imperialism, fluctuating between subservience and blackmail in order to force the U.S. to provide support whether economic or military aid. Not only has he not scrapped a single military pact between the Philippines and the U.S., but he has in fact ensured a stronger foothold in the country. However his sycophantic trolls might spin it, electing to protect foreign interest over the Filipino people’s is sheer puppetry, not astute foreign policy.

Expect apologists would try to defend their idol madly as people increasingly expressed much about national interest. Some even resort to gaslighting, harassment to silence those who concerned not just themselves after the drug war or corruption, but the selling out of patrimony, sovereignty all for a multi-million pittance. It doesn't matter for these apologists about "human rights" as like their idol would claim they value "human lives", when in fact way far from their claim as innocents died in his era claiming be to be that of "change". But the fact that the Filipino folk has becoming concerned, eagerly seeking truth from facts, not surprising that they expose the order's bullshit- that of repressing people though his attack dogs, while claiming to be powerless in front of an aggressive China over the contested isles and subservient over the contested unjust agreements be it those from China or the United States. This bullshitry underestimates the struggle of those who paid their mind, sinew, blood, sweat, and tears for that country's independence. Long live the Philippines! Goddamit! as this note would say.

***

Despite shortcomings, mistakes, and failures, hope that these doesn’t hinder the direction. But this also doesn’t mean moving on, rather, a time to rectify, learn, all prior to forge and fighting back, especially in pursuit if a future that is, for the folk and land. Expect as well numerous challenges both today and in the future, of this pandemic, unjust agreements and treaties, foreign interventions in one’s sovereignty, an incompetent government yet full of braggadocio, and an oppressive social order that’s benefiting the few. 

And like the heroes and martyrs who fought for this nation’s independence, continue learning, forging, fighting- for this struggle for a nation’s future doesn’t end in celebrating a feat such as this June 12.

Again, this note hopes this day as more than just a celebration of a victory nor remembrance of its heroes and martyrs who offered everything for the cause, but a time to rethink as a nation- and if there are numerous mistakes, then tis a time to rectify, reaffirm principles, and move forward carrying aspirations.