MARIA CLARA VS. DARNA:

SHOWDOWN OF TWO PILIPINO ICONS

What do our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and komiks writer Marcial “Mars” Ravelo have in common? What do Maria Clara and Darna have in common?

To answer the questions: Rizal and Ravelo, aside from having the “R” initial in their surnames have a common element – Komiks. Yes, indeed. In Philippine Komiks History, Rizal can probably be considered among the first Pilipinos (if the not the first) to have narrated stories in illustrative form. Thus, he is sometimes attributed to as the “Father of Philippine Komiks.”

While Rizal’s drawings may not be considered good enough for today’s komiks standard, the popular grade school fable The Monkey and the Turtle, which he illustrated (1880), is considered as the first indigenous cartoon drawings in the Philippines. He is also a novelist, having written two of the Philippines most renown novels – Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Revolutionary Adventurer) – where Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra are two of the lead characters.

Ravelo, on the other hand, is the most prolific komiks novelist of all times, and is considered as the “Dean of Philippine Komiks” and “Father of Pilipino Komiks Superheroes.” He has written an estimated 800 novels and comedy skits since the age of 22; among the first ones which he himself illustrated were Ponchong (1937?), Bemboy (1938), Si Enteng at Si Engot (1938), Suprema: Ang Kamangha-manghang Dilag (1939), Igo, Ang Mamumugot (1940), Ang Mamamalakaya (1941?), Rita (1946), Buhay Pilipino (1946), Si Berta Ang Tomboy  (1947), Ipe (1947), Varga (1947), Ric Benson (1947), Boboy (1948), Totit (1950). Of course the most famous of his creations was Darna, which is a rewritten and remodelled version of Suprema: Ang Kamangha-manghang Dilag and Varga, and was drawn by another komiks legend, Nestor Redondo.

Rizal’s creation, Maria Clara, modelled after his real-life beloved Leonor Rivera, is the paragon model of Pilipina womanhood – pre-boomers era, that is. Ravelo’s creation, Darna, on the other hand, is the fictional sexy superheroine that has captured the hearts and minds of every Pilipinos of all ages since its inception in both komiks and film in 1950. Both are considered Pilipino icons. 

Who would even imagine that these two icons would clash? Well, we are in the cyberage for which almost anything is thinkably possible.

ABS-CBN premiered the latest Darna series on August 15, 2022 while GMA Network started showing Maria Clara at Ibarra around seven weeks later on October 3. Jane de Leon plays the role of Darna, while Barbie Forteza and Julie Ann San Jose portray the two time-divergent Maria Claras and Dennis Trillo that of Crisostomo Ibarra.

Darna started out strong because of the people’s enthusiasm about the character reappearing after more than 12 years hiatus and curious about how Jane de Leon would fair as the new actress portraying the superheroine. It toppled GMA Network’s ongoing series Lolong in the rating’s top spot. The series, however, struggled as episodes passed. Furthermore, the ABS-CBN Darna pilot could only muster a 10.5% in the Nielsen rating on its pilot, which is only less than a quarter of the 47.1% of the 2005 Darna starring Angel Locsin then at GMA Network – the highest rating for any TV series.

Soon enough, when Maria Clara at Ibarra premiered, the playing field was literally leveled. It soon soared pass all rivals including the Kapamilya Network’s Darna. It remained on the rating’s Number 1 spot continuously unchallenged. The Kapuso Network’s series was well-received by viewers and critics alike.

Based on the Nielsen Philippines Total Audience Measurement (TAM) ratings data for October 3 to 7, Maria Clara at Ibarra garnered a total of 15.1 percent on GMA and GTV compared to Darna, which only managed a combined total of 7.2 percent on TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel and Cinemo. The same rout happened on the October 10 to 14 measurements with the Kapuso series having a 14.8 percent as against the Kapamilya’s 6.9 percent. For the December 12, 2022 TAM overnight rating, Maria Clara at Ibarra had 14.1 percent and Darna only managed a 6.7.

Now, for the nitty-gritty. Everybody who knows me knows that I’m a big Darna fan. As a journalist-blogger, who also used to do film and TV reviews for Celebrity World, MOD, Mr. & Ms. and Atlas TV Guide, I cannot allow my bias to run its course. Having said these, I am disappointed with the newest Darna series. It is not the fault of Ravelo’s iconic character, nor the portrayer. Jane de Leon did what she is told and what she could. So, don’t bash and bully the actress. The series is not a flop, but it’s not that good either. So many flaws and so-so performances. The problem I think primarily lies in the scripts, the choice of actors, and some on the direction. Chito Roño is a good director and also a screenplay writer, but he shouldn’t have allowed a run-of-the-mill story to push through; he should have imposed changes where they are needed.

Here’s my take: If you are going to modernize Darna and create a new series, albeit, the passing of the magical pebble (again!) in a millennial’s perspective, one needs to conceptualize a new storyline passed that which have been repeatedly shown. Without destroying the essence of the original story that Ravelo wrote, it should include new characters, protagonists, villains, plots, scenarios, and all. Enough of Valentina and her snakes; everybody knows about her already. For even if you change her alter-ego, the characterization is still a remake of the old – obsolete for the fans’ taste.  There are so many villains and intriguing plots in Darna’s more than two dozen komiks adventures; why the heck do they keep on recycling Valentina? Sure, she is the first and foremost supervillainess in Darna’s history, but people, even little kids, knew and memorized it already after ten repetitions.

One more thing: Even if you cramped-up a back-story in one episode just to explain the faulty and lackluster scripts, it’s worthless to all komiks aficionados who know about it. You don’t need a humongous billboard at EDSA to showcase Darna either; it only reveals the obvious that the producers are seeking public attention for a bland and left-behind series. All that is needed is fresh and innovative scripts, and probably an upgrade of the special effects especially Darna’s flight scenes, which looks so stiff and weird. The computer-generated imagery is laughable, to say the least. Hey, don’t tell me we are not technologically capable of doing visual effects ala-Superman?!

 

As I am disappointed with the new Darna, my attention, enthusiasm and appreciation were engaged with the concept of Maria Clara at Ibarra. Truly unique and outstanding! I love the way Rizal’s novels were played out mixed with time travel, the interaction of Spanish Era morals with the Generation Z bravados, and even the dialogs have some twists of Tagalog, Spanish and English, very well-delivered. Barbie Forteza, Julie Ann San Jose, Dennis Trillo and the powerful cast of performers all did great. The set design, costumes, scenes, and mannerism circa 1800s are remarkable and genuinely well-researched. Kudos to Suzette Doctolero and her team of writers, and director Zig Dulay.

As a writer myself, it’s truly an exciting thing to conceptualize a story where you mix history and science fiction, and spice it up with everything from drama to fantasy and adventure, to humor, romance and society’s scruples. The network is also brave enough to show the misdeeds and sinister side of Catholicism and the priests. Rizal would have been proud. And who would have the swift-thinking mind to include the blood moon in the storyline perfectly on the dot? (And why did the Darna writers miss it? They should have taken advantage of the same astronomical event, e.g. a portent of doom or, yes, a portal for Darna’s adversaries to enter Earth? Silly me, I thought of it)

Indeed, Maria Clara at Ibarra nailed it! Asombroso y excelente! Pulgares hacia arriba! Whoa! Did I say that right?!

 

 NOTE: This is a late review I made only for the curious people who kept asking me for days to make.
              Especially written for Ms. Kira Bongon.

MY STAND ON THE QUESTION,

DID MARTIAL LAW SAVE THE PHILIPPINES FROM TOTAL COLLAPSE?

“What this (democratic) revolution requires is a political leadership that finds reason to institute radical reforms and, more important, has the courage to act on behalf of the people, and thus against the (oppressing) oligarchy, including its power brokers in the ranks of the intellectual elite..... Of what good is democracy if it is not for the poor?!”

                   – Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos, An Ideology for Filipinos (1980)

First of all, don’t get me wrong. I don’t favor Martial Law, for the simple reason that it has dark attributes. It can be used by some ambitious military officers for their own selfish agenda. If you read the older President Marcos’ writings, you’ll know too that he was forced by circumstances to declare it. It was an unwanted necessity.

Now, however, if you ask me, did the declaration of Martial Law saved the Philippines from total collapse during Marcos’ time? The answer is an absolute “yes!”

After the devastation and chaos brought about by the Luzon-wide flood of 1972, the Philippines was in deep turmoil. The CPP-NPA and Muslim secessionists took the dire circumstance as an opportunity to sow greater unrest in the country. Then there was the food and energy crises worsen by the increasing global oil prices.

The then Congress, controlled by bureaucrat capitalists, fascist oligarchs and landed elites, prevented socio-economic reforms. The government was at a virtual standstill and immediate, decisive, actions need to be executed in order to save the republic.

On September 21, 1972, Pres. Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 placing the entire country under Martial Law. Two days later, he announced it through radio and television broadcast.

       

Being once upon a time having a radical revolutionary thinking; I was almost recruited by the Kabataang Makabayan of “Ka Nilo” Tayag and later mentored by Dominador “Ka Domeng” Arellano, two prominent figures in the Philippine social activism movement, I am not ignorant of the history of “struggles” of the Filipino masses. In a way, I was at the forefront of it.

I was still a student when Martial Law was declared. And mind you, I was an activist vocally speaking against it. Well, it was cultivated by the experience of our house being demolished without due compensation and the hardship me and mother suffered transferring from one residence to another. But I’m also observant of the things happening around me.

During Martial Law, people were disciplined, there was almost zero crime rate, and the people in public service were courteous. You can leave your bicycle on the street corner without fear of it being stolen. There was no red tape and document transactions with government agencies were fast and efficient.

It was during the Martial Law time when the Land Reform Program of the Marcos administration was set in motion, unhampered by feudal lords-lawmakers. Thousands of tenant farmers were given land titles, finally owning the land they till as tenants for decades.

The Philippines enjoyed its best economic development between 1972 and 1979. The economy grew despite two severe global oil crises in 1973 and 1979. World Bank data also show that Philippine Agriculture, crops (rice, corn, coconut, sugar), livestock and poultry, and fisheries grew at an average rate of 6.8, 3.1 and 4.5 percent, respectively from 1970 to 1980. During the Marcos’ “Green Revolution,” the annual rice production in the Philippines increased from 3.68 to 7.72 million tons in two decades and made the Philippines a rice exporter for the first time in the 20th century.

In the field of environmental concern, no other president made such radical and drastic move of abolishing the Philippines’ log exports. Upon seeing the studies made regarding Philippine forest, that the rate of falling trees was nearly a hectare per minute, Marcos issued a series of conservation decrees. In 1973, he directed the phasing-out of log exports and set January 1976 as the deadline for a complete stop. Under Martial Law, the once powerful logging concessions in the country could only whimper. Tree farming, on the other hand, was added as a “pioneer industry” in the investment incentive list of the Board of Investment. Marcos also enjoined the C.A.T. and R.O.T.C. cadets to participate in tree planting throughout the country. More than 10 million trees were planted and, by the early 1980s, areas near watershed were already reforested. Sadly, however, after Marcos was removed from power, the logging concessions returned and even the reforested areas were logged over bald.

Mathematics do not lie. Five of the eight major dams and 17 hydroelectric and geothermal power plants still fully functional today were constructed during the Marcos administration. No other president before or after Marcos was able to achieve such a feat. Aside from this, more than 90 percent of the bridges, more than 70 percent of the roads and highways, over 40 percent of the state colleges and universities still existing today throughout the country were built by the Marcos government.

Finally, it was only Pres. Marcos who has the initiative to establish a genuine Filipino Ideology, one which is based on endemic values, tradition and culture, neither left nor right, but a confluence of what is applicable to the Philippine setting.

So, again, if you ask me, “Did Martial Law save the Philippines from collapse ?” Yes, indeed!

 

I was in third year high school when I won an essay writing contest – “How Can the Youth Help in the Building of the New Society?” – sponsored by the Office of the President. My essay, titled Revolution from the Center, was critical of the Marcos government that when the news that I am being invited to Malacañang was relayed to me by our assistant principal, shivers ran up and down my spines.

Without recalling all the details of what transpired during those unanticipated experiences, I will just try to recall some of the key contents of that essay, among them: That for a revolution to succeed, it must come neither from the left nor the right, but from the middle – a revolution from the center; that the government can start that revolution with radical and revolutionary changes in its policies and social actions; that government goes to the grassroots of the grievances of the people and listen with sincerity; that government uses its power to balance the grave inequality between the poor majority with the rich minority and its resources and ascendancy to conquer or at least attempt to conquer poverty.

Suffice to say, I was among the seven winners and with that I had the rare, nervous, shivering, privilege to talk to Minister Victor G. Nituda, head of the Malacañang Press Corps, and President Marcos himself.

It would still be years of research and profiling before I would be convinced to change my political viewpoint. But I did and, notwithstanding the difficulties in life that my mother and I experienced, I do not regret it. I saw the comparison; I am a living witness of both the Marcos Era and post-Marcos Era; and I know the truth and the lies.

READ ALSO:
THE PRESIDENT MARCOS LEGACY

MEMORIES OF THE YELLOW REGIME
THE CONQUEST OF POVERTY
WHY THE MARTIAL LAW ERA NEEDS TO BE DISCUSSED

PRESIDENT FERDINAND E. MARCOS: ON THE FRONT COVERS OF MAGAZINES

FERDINAND E. MARCOS ON THE COVER

Today, September 11, 2022, is the 105th birth anniversary of Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr (1917-1989), the man who served longest as president of the Republic of the Philippines.

Many things have been written about him. During his ascent to the highest office of country, good and promising; during his early incumbency, praises and accolades; during his reelection, visions and reformations, during his struggle against the oligarchy, encouragements and criticisms; during his last days in power, woes and worries; and during the reign of the Yellow Regime, defamation and lies.

Indeed, much of the written accounts about President Marcos inside books and textbooks printed after February 1986 have been polluted by halftruths and lies that the younger generation of Filipinos have difficulties discerning the truth, especially with so much fake news being disseminated by the oligarch-controlled yellow media. Looking back, it was the first act of Cory Aquino as president to purge all the good things that Marcos did, burn the documents, and replace them with all anti-Marcos concoctions they could invent. They pursued this for more than three decades until finally everything exploded in their faces.

Well, no matter what has been said and written about Marcos, one truth cannot be denied of the man – he had left a legacy so great no forces could purge, burn or topple them.

In commemoration of President Ferdinand E.Marcos’ legacy, here are several magazines with him on the covers.

Philippine Free Press (November 20, 1965).

The Sunday Times Magazine (November 28, 1965).

Time (October 21, 1966).

The New York Times Magazine (with Imelda R. Marcos, February 26, 1967).

Sunday Observer (March 18, 1973).

Liwayway (June 15, 1981).

Chinatown East (October 20, 1982).

Metro Timesweek (against Cory Aquino, February 2, 1986).

Time (against Cory Aquino, February 3, 1986).

Newsweek (March 3, 1986).

Asiaweek (with Imelda R. Marcos, July 5, 1987).

Sunday Inquirer Magazine (February 19, 1989).

Philippine Free Press (with the Marcos Family, April 15, 1989).

Asiaweek (October 13, 1989).

You know, history has the uncanny ability in correcting itself, and karma has a way of getting back at those who tried to distort history. Behold, as it unfolds! His son, Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr, recently won a landslide victory, by an absolute majority of 58.77 percent of the electorates. It was indeed a historic vindication, Poetic justice – Iginuhit ng Tadhana (drawn by destiny).

THE MARIA RESSA CASE:

When Media Become The Abuser

In most circumstances, the media are outlets where the people can voice out their sentiments and grievances against the abuses of politicians, governments and institutions, and the rich and powerful.

There are, however, instances when media are used to do the opposite. That is, when media have programmed objectives contrary to social order and justice; when they are funded and controlled by questionable entities that have dark socio-eco-political agenda; when they act against the will of the people they suppose to do their service; when they become tools of black propaganda with malicious intent against a person or institution; and when the media become the abuser instead of the protector of the abused.

 

Most recently, the Rappler chief Maria Ressa, is again the talk of the town. She has again proven that she is the “Queen of Fake News” as tagged by the Pilipino people with her Twitter post blaming recently-elected President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr for her current predicament. She and her co-accused, Reynaldo Santos Jr, being recently convicted of the crime of cyberlibel they committed some ten years ago. 

Let us fact-check Ressa once more:

1. The cyberlibel complaint against her was filed on December 20, 2017, for an article published online by Rappler on May 29, 2012. The article was NOT about Marcos and it’s more than 10 years prior to him being elected president! 

2. The one who filed the case is Wilfredo Keng, and NOT Marcos! 

3. The published Rappler article, titled “CJ (Chief Justice) Using SUVs of Controversial Businessman,” was about Wilfredo Keng’s involvement in a controversy surrounding then Chief Justice Renato Corona as alleged by Santos Jr, and which has NOTHING TO DO WHATSOEVER with Marcos! 

4. Ressa and Santos Jr, were arraigned on May 13, 2019, more than three years BEFORE Marcos took office. 

5. The verdict of “GUILTY” of criminal libel was handed down on June 15, 2020. That’s more than two years BEFORE Marcos was sworn into office. 

6. It was appealed but the court upholds the conviction and declared it barely two days after Marcos took office.

The following are excerpts of the court decision penned by presiding judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa:

“.... the court finds the prosecution’s evidence sufficient in establishing the guilt of both Accused Reynaldo Santos Jr and Maria Ressa beyond reasonable doubt for violation of Section 4(c)(4) of Republic Act 10175....”

In Ressa’s claim that she had no participation in the said subject article, the court said it does not shield her from liability: “It is not a matter of whether she was actually involved in preparing or editing the subject article, because the law simply states that she, as editor and business manager, is liable “AS IF” she was the author, in accordance with Article 360 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to R.A. 10175.”

As to the mention of “freedom of speech,” the court said: “The right of every person to freedom of speech is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. It is the right to speak freely without fear of retribution or retaliation. The right of the press to freely report news and opinion without undue restraint is guaranteed no less. These rights are imbued with vast powers to advance the COMMON GOOD, TO EFFECT change and influence the minds of others IN THE HOPE OF BUILDING A SOCIETY where every person can be free. But when abused, THIS FREEDOM can SOW animosity and ENGENDER divisiveness and resentment THAT MAY LEAD TO disorder and chaos.... Indeed, the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and of the press. But this is a freedom burdened with responsibility for even the Journalists’ Codes of Ethics exhorts all journalists to ‘recognize the duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.’ This the accused DID NOT DO even when the victim, Keng, pleaded to them to air his side or at least publish a clarificatory article.”

Furthermore, the court in its ruling said that Ressa “did not offer a scintilla of proof that they verified the imputations of various crimes in the disputed article.... They just simply published them as news in their online publication in reckless disregard of whether they are false or not.”

The judge even quoted Nelson Mandela: “For to be free is not merely to cast off ones chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” 

7. The law that was used to convict Ressa, the Cybercrime Prevention Act (R.A. 10175), was legislated in September 12, 2012. That was during President Benigno Aquino III’s time, which is almost 10 years before Marcos Jr was elected president!

So, how can she accuse President Marcos Jr of harassing and intimidating her? In reality, it is Ressa who is doing the harassment through her deception and manipulation of media, trying to tie her conviction as press suppression to the new president whose reputation she persistently seek to malign during the campaign period and continuously afterwards. 

MARIA RESSA’S TWITTER POST HAS BEEN FACT-CHECKED AND FOUND FULL OF DECEPTIONS! 

NOONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!

 

As to the comments made by Berit Reiss-Andersen, Nobel Committee chairperson, lawyer Amal Clooney, and United Nations (UN) rapporteur Irene Khan, allow me to voice my disagreement. 

First of all, the conviction was NOT about “freedom of expression.” It was about a news report published by Rappler more than 10 years ago containing false and malicious information about the person named Wilfredo Keng, and the failure (or willful intent?) of Ressa and her co-accused, Santos Jr, not to give Keng a chance to dispute the story as what journalists are inclined to do (Kindly read the court decision, some excerpts of which I have included here.). She was convicted of libel not because she uncovered something sinister about the person, but because she published FALSE information about the person, and did not give that person the chance to repute the allegation in total disregard for journalistic fairness.

Now, does the Nobel Committee chaired by Reiss-Andersen condone such a criminal act? If so, it would be a disgraceful blot, a wart, in the reputation of the very prestigious institution. For Clooney, you know the law, and clearly you also know President Marcos has NOTHING TO DO with the case that had been decided before he took office. For Khan, I think you are letting your clouded mind shows your ignorance of the matter, of the circumstances, on who’s to blame, and of journalistic ethics. You all better go back to school and start researching thoroughly! 

Secondly, why do you keep dragging the name of newly-elected President Marcos Jr to this case? He has NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO with it? Do you also have a HIDDEN AGENDA against him? Believe me when I say that this time around the entire Pilipino nation will not take this sitting down. Pilipinos have been silent for more than three decades of disinformation and historical revisionism, but NO MORE! 

Thirdly, Ressa is NOT A HERO of the free press! She has been labelled as the “Queen of Fake News,” because her booboos, yellow journalism and unresearched articles. In fact, in a recent Reuter Institute graph of the “Study of Journalism’s Digital Report” (2022) in the Philippines, it was shown that Rappler is at the lowest rank, the news organization that people “don’t trust.” There have been so many instances of Rappler publishing one-sided stories with biased political intent.

Fourth, Ressa kept claiming that there is no press freedom in the Philippines, but at the same time continuously, FREELY, giving press statements against the government in both local and foreign newspapers, TV interviews and online news posts. What a contradiction! Rappler for its part has been known to be biased against the Marcoses. During the election campaign period, it showcased a one-sided information drive in favor of Leni Robredo while discouraging people to side with Bongbong Marcos. They recycled old stories against his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, and always branding him with the “dictator’s son” tag with an obvious antagonistic intent. Something that fair press shouldn’t do. But the Pilipino people are now wise and enlightened, and can no longer be fooled by media manipulations and fake news.

Fifth, we are in a democratic society. If the news media are used to disseminate black propaganda and propagate discord among the people for the benefit of a certain group, then fascism is being introduced. The Philippines recently concluded a presidential election. The results are glaringly clear; President Marcos Jr won by an ABSOLUTE MAJORITY, with the biggest margin ever in Philippine history. Volunteerism won over media and celebrity hype! The Pilipino nation has spoken, nay, they shouted with all their might, but Rappler continues to sow disinformation with a clearly biased intent in favor of the defeated candidate. This alone is a violation of the Journalists’ Code of Ethics. Vox ilustrati populi, vox omnipotentis dei (The voice of an enlightened people, the voice of an omnipotent GOD).

 

NOTE: Top and bottom caricatures drawn by Glenzkie Tolo (Daily Tribune).

FIVE THINGS I HAVE IN COMMON WITH
PRES. FERDINAND “BONGBONG” MARCOS JR

1. We are both half-Ilocano. PBBM’s father, the former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos, is from Ilocos Norte. My mother, on the other hand, is from Ilocos Sur.

2. We both love the Star Trek film and TV series. In a sense we are fellow trekkies! As a child Star Trek starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy was the first TV series that caught my attention. I still watch the re-runs on Netflix.

3. We have the same prayer call –“GOD, give me strength!” Whenever I’m feeling weak, down and troubled, I whisper this phrase. I’m sure PBBM does the same. It is written in Isaiah 40:31, “Those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles...!”

4. We read multiple books at the same time. I get bored and sleepy reading one book, so I would lay 3 to 5 books on the table or in my bed and read them simultaneously. I knew from an old Julie Yap-Daza interview of PBBM’s wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, that PBBM also read at least 3 books at the same time. We also have a common favorite author and book – Ernest Hemingway and “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”

5. We both love to cook. From youtube videos, I learned he is fond of cooking. Me, on the other hand, loves to experiment in my cooking. Sinigang, the world’s top food dish, is our common denominator. It’s PBBM’s top favorite, and so am I. For me, there’s no dish better than sinigang na hipon (sour-stewed shrimps).

NOTE: Pagbigyan niyo na ako rito, birthday ko ngayon eh!

 

 

HISTORY WITHOUT THE OVERCOAT

I believe in what Ambeth Ocampo said: “REAL History is about TRUTH, not lies, not fiction.” Being an engineer, writer-journalist and researcher, I believe that history, the “real” history, must be based on facts that are precise, consistent and irrefutable. Can we, however, say that to the current written Philippine History?

History to me is like a continuously flowing river. It carries with it whatever falls on its rapids: Dusts and stones, leaves and timbers, lives and deaths, freshness and pollutions, natural and man-made, everything becomes part of its waters. When you try to search for something, it will always be there but maybe difficult to find. Then there are instances when the river’s path is changed, either out of necessity or greed, either by nature or man’s machines. Yet when by the act of GOD, it takes just one instance and everything reverts back to its natural course.

Similarly, like the flow of a river being displaced, there are many instances when history is distorted by the people in power or by the one who wrote them.

For instance, many parts of Philippine history, especially those written by Spanish and American authors are half-truths and distorted. Examples: Many accounts about Lapulapu, the mock battle of Manila Bay, MacArthur's claim of the Liberation of the Philippines, etc.

In 1986, when Cory Aquino took over government, among her first orders were the purging, burning and destruction of all files, documents, records pertaining to programs and achievements of the Marcos administration. I am a witness to that. Then she ordered that school textbooks entries be revised, which made it possible, in a “biased” way, that she and her husband, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, be declared as heroes at the same time demonizing President Ferdinand Marcos. Then Aquino’s media collaborators – the oligarchs-owned radio-TV networks and newspapers – started to disseminate maligning information about the Marcoses. They invented gruesome stories about President Marcos, many of which are mere fabrications. This can be considered as the “chismis” part of our history. They did this for more than three decades. Many of the youth after the 1986 EDSA Revolt and the ensuing Yellow Regime, the so-called Martial Law babies, were led to believe that these entries in history were the untainted truth.

Fortunately, some concerned citizens were able to keep some of the pre-EDSA documents and records of the Marcos administration safe. These same documents and records, thanks to the Internet and social media, are being released for the public to read so as to understand the other side of the issues. These are physical and tangible evidences and not fake news or fabricated propaganda. It is not to revise history but, in a way, it is history being corrected from the distortions and biases imposed upon it. 

With regards to Ella Cruz, I believe in her youthful enthusiasm and unbiased comments about Philippine history. In a sense, she is also correct, because Philippine history, in its many segments is full of distorted entries; full of filtrations and added fabrications, biased in favor of the one who perpetrated those segments.

In fact, I admire the young actress’ exuberance and show of respect for everyone’s opinion, and her courage to voice out her viewpoints amid such a high-profile issue. The words “no comment” can sometimes be attributed to playing-safe or being dumb. Well, she is definitely not. She is smart and witty, unlike some bitter worn-out starlet of the past or some yellow activist-pretender. Then came model-starlet Dawn Chang, comedian-actress Pokwang (real name Marietta Subong O'Brian), radio-TV newscaster Arnold Clavio, et al., all bitter losers, who have been ganging up on her. No one has the right to teach her what to say, or teach her lessons she can get herself, from research, school, or her parents’ counsels. So, for those self-proclaiming know-all social intriguers, I suggest you also respect every person’s opinion and stop making a fool of yourselves.

Furthermore, those who make comments about her in social media are making a fool of themselves. Like Giselle Toengi who posted she “would love to share” to Ella her experience “at 8 years old in 1986” as she “marched to the streets along with countless others who were part of history...” How can that be? When she was already 15 years old when she first came to Manila to live with her mother. Now, who’s gossiping?!

Lastly, I also believe that history has the uncanny ability to correct itself, no matter how long it takes, no matter how big the obstacles are, the truth can never be hidden forever. And karma, once the road to redemption begins, will clearly show which segments of history were written correctly!

 

NOTE: Photos are taken from Facebook posts, and hereby given due courtesy to Philippine Star, Global Daily Mirror and Balita. 

VOLUNTEERISM WON OVER MEDIA AND CELEBRITY HYPES

PEOPLE’S VOLUNTEERISM
WON OVER
MEDIA AND CELEBRITY HYPES

Three months ago, on March 24, 2022, I predicted that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr (a.k.a. BBM) will win the May 2022 Presidential Election. I gave seven reasons why. The Number 2 reason I gave was “BBM’s supporters are driven by volunteerism and hope.” Then on my April 20, 2022 Facebook post, I predicted that he would win by a landslide margin of 17 million votes, which I reposted on Blogspot as “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” (Drawn by Destiny).

Looking back from the time in July 2021 when BBM was contemplating on running for the highest position in the Philippine government, to the time when different Loyalist groups started the call to assemble both online and on the streets, to the time when he filed his candidacy on October 6 and then forming the UniTeam alliance on November 29 with Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio (who would be his vice-presidential running mate), to the rigorous campaign period that lasted four months and culminating in a glorious absolute majority victory on May 9, one thing stands out – the people’s volunteerism.

Reminiscing the volunteerism shown by BBM supporters throughout the country and the solidarity that binds them, it’s like looking at millions and millions of sea turtles hatching simultaneously in all the shores of the Philippine archipelago and together instinctively going to the sea to participate in an awakening adventure. It’s near-miraculous, truly destiny being painted.

Indeed, aside from being the international symbol for peace, the “V” sign that BBM and his supporters are flashing also symbolizes “volunteerism,” the poignant characteristic inherent in every Pilipino. The nearest native word akin to the term is Bayanihan. That is, unpaid and unherald, but willing to participate in the endeavors and the quest. Together with another hand sign, the forward closed fist, which is a patented Duterte political badge and symbolizes solidarity, the combination (Bongbong Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte) led to another “V” symbolism – Victory!

The last May 9 Election showed us that the so-called media and celebrity hypes are no longer a big factor to Pilipino voters. It is the volunteerism of the people, bikers, bloggers, caricaturists, engineers, farmers, fishermen, hackers, jeepney drivers, journalists, OFWs, street vendors, students, workers in all fields, the common “tao,” that really brought the landslide win for the BBM-Sara UniTeam.

The people felt indignant after the 2016 Presidential Election when the person they voted for the vice-presidency was robbed of the office. When the Aquino-appointed justices of the Supreme Court sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal dismissed the electoral protest filed by BBM against Robredo, the people took it very personally. Their patience reached a boiling point and they took it upon themselves to light the torch that would soon become a blazing patriotic flame that would redden the entire nation.

It all started in Ilocos Sur on November 7, 2011, when around eight thousand bikers started the “Unity Ride” that spanned more than 27 kilometers. Two weeks later, a much, much, bigger Unity Ride set forth from Ilocos Norte filling the Manila-North Road going southward. Estimated to have more than 70,000 participants wearing red shirts, and spanning around 125 kilometers, it is probably the largest and longest bike ride, worthy of the Guinness Book of World Records. Looking at drone camera coverages, the streets literally turned red. For the first time, the Yellows started to worry and took the matter seriously.

The Yellows’ answer to this was black propaganda. They started recycling old issues about the Marcoses in an attempt to discredit BBM. Anti-Marcos people started filing one disqualification cases after another in the COMELEC to thwart the young Marcos’ presidential bid.

The oligarch media networks re-ran the lines “dictatorship,” “Martial Law,” “ill-gotten wealth,” and added “unpaid taxes” to the mix. All of these, however, are issues already answered by former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos and BBM himself in previous interviews. Their social media counterparts, such as Facebook and Twitter, blocked and suspended the accounts of the so-called Loyalists who were trying to defend the Marcoses, to prevent and thwart the upsurge of supports. But even at the onslaught of biased media black propaganda and repressions, the Loyalists will not be perturbed or dissuaded, their volunteerism persists.

It’s so overwhelming to see children, parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents were out on the streets shouting BBM, showing and bannering Marcos legacy pictures, and singing “Ako’y Pilipino” (I’m a Pilipino) and “Bagong Lipunan” (New Society). While on the opposing side you see celebrities wearing pink but showing placards of hate messages. The people clearly saw the difference.

On December 8, 2021, Bongbong Marcos Jr and Sara Duterte astounded the Philippine political realm when they held a rally in Quezon City, long thought to be a yellow bailiwick in which the sitting mayor, Joy Belmonte, is a known pro-Aquino and anti-Marcos. The crowd estimate, which they refused to accept, was around 125,000 strong, from Quezon Memorial Circle dominating the Commonwealth Avenue going to Welcome Rotonda. The mainstream media tried to downplay the event, but pictures and videos taken by volunteers immediately flooded the Internet in real time allowing the public to see firsthand the unfolding events.

The survey groups tried but couldn’t lie. Most of the survey groups are known to be pro-Yellows. So, when the survey results came out largely favoring BBM, the yellows’ worries turned into panic – the Yellows turned Pinkish. Pulse Asia tried to delay the survey results, and concentrated on the youth which they thought would favor Robredo. But they were wrong. Most millennials, Generation Zs and would-be first-time voters turned out supporting BBM. This, may I add, is one reason why some supposed student activist groups couldn’t muster enough numbers in their rallies against BBM. These "activist" if they are really riding on a nationalistic ideology should know that "No protest can succeed against the people's will." SWS discontinued its surveys as early as February and didn’t even release their last survey, because it would show BBM ahead in voters’ preference percentage more than doubled that of Robredo.

The Robredo supporters even tried a hokus-pokus, posting fake survey results with preposterous figures showing Robredo ahead with 80 to 90 percent voters’ preference. As it turned out, most of them are mathematically bogus. Well, they fooled only the gullibles.

What about BBM refusing to be interviewed or go on a public debate? The most widely talked-about was the Jessica Soho interview. The Yellows-turned-Pinks thought they could ruin BBM’s momentum capitalizing on this issue. Again, they were wrong! Well, BBM doesn’t need TV exposure if it’s going to be biased. It’s better to go direct to the people. It’s not BBM’s loss. He’s already miles and miles ahead in all surveys; garnering an “Absolute Majority” less than 4 months before election makes him perceptibly unbeatable. In fact, GMA7 lost 28.7 million pesos in revenues when 10 of its advertisers withdrew from Jessica Soho’s program after they learned BBM declined the interview. In today’s Internet and cellphone era, the people are already well-informed and no longer rely on the tri-media. TV, radio and newspapers are no longer as “deistically powerful” as it was four decades ago.

What did the Soho interview proved anyway? (1) BBM’s popularity among the Pilipino masses now exceeds GMA-7’s media influence and clout. Even the advertisers know this. (2) None of the other four major candidates are deserving to be president in the eyes of the viewing public. One word to describe each of them: Lacson – Past, Moreno – Dreaming, Pacquiao – Ambition, Robredo – Nonsense. (3) The four presidential aspirants showed their inherent weaknesses. And they did this in a televised interview. It’s not even a debate. What blunders they have spoken they can no longer retract once a real public debate comes. (4) Most of the issues taken in the interviews are repetitions and, yes, it is a tactical success that BBM declined his interview. It would have no bearing whatsoever with regards to what the Pilipino masses perceive of him. In fact, the move would later even endear him to the people – declining a powerful and influential network’s invitation is to them courage with intelligence.

Then the Philippine Arena UniTeam proclamation rally in Ciudad de Victoria, in Bocaue, Bulacan, on February 8, 2022. The premonition of triumph is all there in the “City of Victory.” The largest Philippine indoor stadium was filled to the brim, and the grounds of the two-hectare sports center were also covered with people wearing red and green. Actress Toni Gonzaga wasn’t wrong when she decisively shouted “May panalo na!” (There’s already a winner!).

BBM promised to bring unity to the country as this is the supposed solution to the nation’s ills: “If we study the history of the Philippines, everything that has happened to us, all the hardships and calamities our beloved country has endured, we have survived only by being united.”

This was followed by one rally after another, every one of which exceeding the hundred-thousand crowd estimate. The yellow-pinks couldn’t believe what they are seeing. The world took notice, the immediate question was why are these masses of people favoring a person portrayed for decades as a “son of a dictator;” the foreign press started researching anew the Marcos legacy; they started to realize that much of the things said about the Marcoses were mere fabrications; and out of nostalgia they called it “the BBM Phenomenon!”

All over the world, the same sentiment of volunteerism was shown. Pilipinos living or working in the seven continents joined together to show their support for Marcos Jr. As early as mid-March, the road back to Malacañang was paved!

By this time, the yellow-turned-pink troll farms were running languidly coughing-for-breath. They tried every dirty tactics they could invent. ABS-CBN and Rappler muddled the news with inclusions of fabrications and recycled dirty propaganda. They were later labeled by Reuters graphics as two news organizations that the people “don’t trust” the most. The Leni-Kiko trolls started massive disinformation campaign and fake news posting online, while their endorsing celebrities did the same in their campaign sorties. Their tacticians used pink paper flowers, banners, balloons, umbrellas and whatever it is they could turn pink to make it look like their sorties have more numbers. The people looked and listened but were never fooled.

The Catholic church joined in the political mudslinging, again, by continuously recycling vicious unfounded accusations against the Marcoses. Bishops and priests, going against biblical teachings, spewed evil words against BBM even inside the church to the dismay of the hearing public.

After the election, and BBM winning with almost 32 million votes (58.77%), one bishop even distorted a scriptural event about Christ’s crucifixion saying “Nagmukhang talo si Jesus nang ipako siya sa krus. Tukod langit sa kahihiyan. Nagimbal ang mga alagad. Nahiya. Nanlumo. Nagtago. Hindi nagkatotoo ang akala nilang mananalo sila. Parang tayo di ba?” (Jesus looks defeated when he was nailed to the cross. Shame reaching heaven. The apostles were shocked. Shamed. Disheartened. Went hiding. The thought of them winning did not happen. Just like us isn’t it?)

The Catholic bishop was referring to Matthew 27:20, comparing and insinuating that the people that voted for BBM were like the people that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ. Clearly, this bishop either didn’t read the Bible or he didn’t understand the Holy Scriptures. Because in the Bible (Matthew 27:20): “The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask Pilate to set Barrabas free and have Jesus put to death.”

It is very clear that it was not the people in their own volition that cause the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, but the priests who instigated and coerced them. Just like what the Catholic priests did during the Spanish time, when they caused the deaths of many of our revolutionary heroes, including Dr. Jose Rizal, our National Hero.

The Leni-Kiko tandem employed celebrities and newscasters from the three major TV networks to try to somehow catapult them over BBM, but to no avail. The mistake in this is that the celebrities, like their political employers, used black propaganda and dirty campaigning to get the people’s attention. But as I’ve said many times, “Ang taong-bayan ay mulat at gising na sa pagkakatulog, at hindi na muling palilinlang!” (The people are already enlightened and awaken from slumber, and will no longer let themselves be fooled).

The bulk of these celebrities’ campaign lines bordered on yellow journalism and black propaganda, repeating one maligning accusation after another. The people are tired of these. Their fans tried to tell them they are doing the wrong thing and supporting the wrong people. So does the much older celebrities, who really experienced the “before” and “after” of the 1986 EDSA Revolt. But these young celebrities who were not even born then relied on distorted information fed to them for more than three decades, and all the advises fell on deaf ears. Because of this, more than half of their fan base left them.

Now, these celebrities as well as news personalities who openly voiced their anti-Marcos propaganda, like Angel Locsin, Iza Calzado, Michael V, Karen Davila, Ted Failon, etc., are trying to win back their fans by saying it’s time to move on? It’s good if it’s sincere, but the problem is in most of them it is not! Kasi magsasabi ka ng isang bagay – “para sa bansa” – tapos sa huli magpapasaring ka kay BBM at sa mga supporters niya, at pupurihin mo pa ang mga maling ginawa ng mga kakampinks (Because they would say one thing – “for the country” – then at the end they would insinuate something on BBM and his supporters, and praising the wrong things done by the yellow-pink supporters). Some of them, Agot Isidro, Janno Gibbs, Kakie Pangilinan, Melai Cantiveros, Mo Twister, Tuesday Vargas, and the likes, are still very antagonistic and bitter until now, and you can read and see them in their Internet social media posts. Some of them pledged to leave the Philippines if BBM wins. So, what’s their excuse that they are still here, still blabbering like turkey ass?

They would even dare to claim Robredo is good-hearted to be the first to concede. That’s bullshit! Even at the face of the people’s absolute majority vote against her, she never conceded until the last moment when she was about to leave for the U.S., and she continued to be bitter and blabber about it until now.

Most of the media networks, on the other hand, have removed the tag “dictator’s son” they usually associate with BBM. Some even foster the BBM-Sara UniTeam campaign motto – “Sama-sama, Babangong Muli!” (Together, Will Rise Again!) – in their editorial “moving on” prospectives. Well and good, just show sincerity!

BE SINCERE! THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN; HEED THEIR CALL! IF YOU REALLY MEANT TO JOIN WITH THE PEOPLE’S SOLIDARITY, THROW YOUR BIAS AWAY! DISCARD THE EVIL FED INTO YOUR MINDS AND TRY TO DISCOVER FOR YOURSELVES THE TRUTH!

GIVE PEACE AND UNITY A CHANCE!