While it may be easier to
forgive than forget, Filipinos seem to get over about yesterday and move on
with their lives—as if nothing has happened.
It is helpful to put things
behind, but a mere abolition of history, without any or further reflection is
as good as nothing.
“Contemplated experience is
the best teacher,” my Philippine Politics professor said.
Today marks the 40th
anniversary of Martial Law. History books and politicians have chronicled the grim
occasion on September 21, 1972, when President Ferdinand Marcos announced the dreadful
decree, and the series of events that happened before the Philippines regained
its democracy.
After four decades of
reclaimed democracy, what now?
Forgetful
Filipinos
I noticed that Pinoys in
general, tend to forget easily the past without meditation hence, will commit
the same mistakes again—and again.
If Filipinos despised the
Marcoses, why do they still have powers over Ilocos region? Bong-Bong Marcos currently
holds influence in the Senate. Rumors have it that he is aspiring the
presidential seat, and I bet he will win if he runs.
During and after her term,
former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has faced numerous backlashes and
criminal cases. Arroyo is even considered as one of the most despicable leaders
of the country.
I was not shocked when she
aspired and eventually won a congressional seat as the representative of the
second district of Pampanga. Despite her alleged criminal cases on corruption
and bribery, she had a landslide victory in the said region.
The last time I checked,
majority of the Pinoys still blame Arroyo over the impoverished state of the
nation. But yes, Filipinos really forget things as easily as re-electing her.
Whatever happened to the
Maguindanao Massacre, the biggest mass media killing in the Philippines?
How about the onslaught of
typhoons Ondoy, Reming, and other natural calamities that the government
promised to take actions upon? Filipinos have been used to such events that
they become resilient and just accept the effects of natural disasters without
even trying to prevent them.
It turned out, the political
arena is not just one area where Filipinos tend to practice “selective recollection.”
More than shocked, many were
pleased with the sex scandal of Hayden Kho and his partners back in 2009. Pinag-piyestahan ang short films na ito.
His license as a doctor was
later revoked because of the scandal but
this did not stop him from resurrecting his showbiz career, if there was any. After
three years of hiatus, Kho seems to be back with a vengeance—he has established
his own perfume line and will have his own launching movie. I would not be
surprised if his debut film will earn box office hit.
Annabelle Rama has become a
household name in the Philippine entertainment industry not because of her acting
skills, though she was once a starlet back in the 70s. Rama’s fame comes handy
because she is one loud, war-freak, and raucous talent manager. Rama doesn’t
know where and when to choose her catfights, not even in the midst of an
ongoing funeral mass. She has top billed headlines because of her rowdy antics
and she will be making new headlines because she has announced her interest in
running for a local position in her hometown, Cebu. Nako, ‘dong, panalo ka na dyan walang duda.
What does Annabelle know in
politics, really? I could not wait to watch whom she will end up fighting with
in the lower house. If ever, that will be the first time there will be a fistfight
in the Congress.
History will be forever repeating itself if we do not review it.