Is It Still "Vivere Pericoloso"
For the Philippines and the Filipino?
As another election season unfolds, familiar faces once again dominate the political landscape, each one rehearsing promises of reform, justice, and progress. Their press releases and campaign sorties paint an image of concern and commitment, yet their records tell a different story—one of complicity, corruption, and self-preservation. The spectacle repeats itself, attempting to erase the people’s memory of past betrayals. But beyond the slogans and theatrics, the reality remains unchanged: the Philippines continues to live dangerously—vivere pericoloso.
A Nation in Peril
The question of whether the country is still in a dangerous state is hardly up for debate. Calls for the impeachment of a corrupt vice president expose deep fractures within the political system. Human rights defenders, still seeking justice for victims of the drug war, extrajudicial killings, and red-tagging, face renewed threats and intimidation. Meanwhile, national sovereignty is tested as foreign powers—China and the United States—impose their will, reducing the Philippines to a battleground for geopolitical interests.
Despite these pressing issues, there are those who insist that the nation is stable, that democracy remains intact, and that institutions function as intended. Yet a quick glance at the headlines reveals the persistence of political dynasties, the entrenchment of economic inequality, and the continued abuse of power. The illusion of normalcy does little to mask the dangers lurking beneath the surface.
The Theater of Elections
With every campaign season comes a performance of reinvention. Politicians who once turned a blind eye to injustice now present themselves as champions of human rights. Lawmakers who enabled oppressive policies suddenly declare their commitment to reform. Even those who have enriched themselves through corruption now claim to fight for the people’s welfare. It is a carefully choreographed act, designed to deceive and manipulate voters into maintaining the status quo.
Yet history has shown that once these figures secure their positions, their priorities shift back to consolidating power and wealth. The cycle repeats itself, trapping the nation in a loop of betrayal and disappointment.
Breaking Free from Vivere Pericoloso
In his 1964 “The Year of Living Dangerously” speech, President Sukarno of Indonesia declared:
“For us, this year is a year of living dangerously. But for a revolutionary nation—a nation that is determined to reject colonialism—living dangerously is an imperative necessity.”
Sorry to use Sukarno for a reference, but to see the corrupt, the oppressive, the vassal-minded, it is no different from a colonialist who treats the people as its subjects. The Philippines and the Filipinos have lived dangerously, whether under outright tyrants or pretentious despots. Forced to make do with meager wages and expensive necessities, this dangerous living—brought about by poverty—is what this rotten order calls “contentment.” And no matter how the system employs pseudomeasures to “alleviate” suffering, living dangerously is an imperative necessity.
To deny that the Philippines is still vivere pericoloso is to ignore the suffering of its people. The weight of injustice and inequality is felt in every corner of society. However, growing awareness and resistance signal that many are no longer willing to accept the same empty promises.
The real challenge lies in breaking free from the illusions perpetuated by those in power. This means demanding true accountability, dismantling political dynasties, and resisting foreign domination. It requires rejecting the idea that elections alone will bring change, recognizing instead that real transformation comes from sustained collective action.
As the nation approaches another critical juncture, the question remains: will the people continue to endure the dangers of deception and oppression, or will they finally seize the opportunity to reclaim their future?