Send in the Clowns
Nov. 30, 2009

It feels like the circus has come to town. I watch amused as politicians court every dame and damsel, especially the ones that can sing and dance to Wowowee, and seeing them magically change their masks, as they jump from one courtier to another. Everything is a big drama and all I behold, merely players. With the impending deadline for filing of COCs, the last few days has been especially grand. Fanfare, a glitz of color, superstars and an abundance of dazzling confetti. Seems like I am watching Moulin Rouge, a fantastic world built out of cunning and filth. A wealth of tricks, blinding lights that razzle-dazzle, everything a lavish show. There are those that are masters of the circus. They have built up a wardrobe of costumes, and they can be anything they want to be as long as the crowd applauds: clowns, puppets, the poor boy who can fly, heir of a great hero, even someone back from the dead. But, when the lights dim and the circus is over, you see it was nothing but an illusion. And then they begin strategizing the next grand show when they can do magic, charm the crowd, and sweet-talk them that this bliss is real. I haven’t had a decent stomach since the time I stepped foot in politics. There must be truth to the saying: “I cannot stomach it.” Because I truly cannot. And the sad thing is, as much as I hate it, I cannot escape it. And it’s not just me. We live here. And we are all guilty for living our sweet lives, separated by our white picket fences, and pretending that the circus next door is not happening. But we forget that we breathe the same air, even share the same sewage. And we cannot escape it. We will breathe smog if the circus pollutes our atmosphere, and all the crap will eventually find its way into our homes. Even worse, we oftentimes enjoy the glitz, make merry and forget our troubles. And I know we are all better than these. How can we cloak a massacre in fanfare, color, superstars and razzle-dazzle? Surely we cannot dangle a curtain over that cramped house under the bridge where citizens walk on all fours and take turns sleeping? And guess what, having spent millions to put on the show, the circus troupe won’t be able to afford rescue boats the next time there’s a flood.  What’s behind the mask? Behind the curtains? Behind all the dancing and hand-holding in the air? Who’s pulling the strings? Aren’t we tired of reruns? The show need not go on. So please, look beyond the glitter.



I wrote this a day after we filed Nick's Certificate of Candidacy.  It was a solemn and awe-inspiring moment for me.  We were just five people, Nick, his son Chris, Cecille, Romy, Grace, Dave and Cecille's spiritual teacher.  I cannot find words to describe our time inside the COMELEC Law Department.  In the solitude and intimacy of that office, which at any other time would have been chaotic and full of frenzy, I knew then that our cause is filled with courage, truth and only goodness.  And I am not wont to discussing my spiritual beliefs or experiences, but I just wanted to share, that in the solemnity of our filing, I knew then, that this cause has true blessings from above.  So let's not despair.  This journey will be fraught with evil but we have a lot of good on our side.  

Paula

An interesting read on advertising, politics, and borgeouise.

It all seems so easy. No obstacles, no pain, no sadness, no struggle, not even a drop of sweat. Halaman lang ang sagabal. Whoever thought hope and change would be this effortless—and beautiful?

http://viewerdiscretionisadvised.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/not-another-yellow-solidarity-of-the-bourgeoisie/

I broke a promise I made 20 years ago today.

The last time I voted was during Marcos' time when I left my ballot blank. The country's election was so corrupt and one sided I promised never to vote again in this country until such time its electoral system is reformed. Today I registered at the COMELEC with every intention to vote. The system never changed. The fact is election today has gotten worse. Our unpresident got her position by cheating -  that's how bad election in this country has become. And there is no sign this will change. The only hope, and the only reason why I registered is Nick Perlas.

Today is supposed to be the last registration day. COMELEC even announced it will never never extend. (Well, it extended the deadline, which invited comments from pundits and the masa... "They haven't gotten the necessary numbers of flying voters yet".

Long line at 6 in the morning. At 10 everybody knows they're in the line for the whole day. A COMELEC worker gives tips to first time registrants. Mother and child and queue. Puzzled registrants. Food hawker.

I am not concerned on reforms for the system, yet. I am not even concerned on the obvious cheating that will happen. This morning my concern was on the long line of registrants of which I was at the back end. I was there 5 plus in the morning and already the line was all the way to the back of the building ending one far block away at the Sto. Nino Church. Two hours later I found out, no, a lot of us found out, we were in the wrong line. We have to go to the correct line and start at the back all over again. No signs, nobody from the COMELEC to guide us.

Means this early, as early as the registration of voters, the system already is failing. You'll have an impossible time accessing their soooo sloooow site if you wanted to download the form. Frustrating? Not as frustrating as when finally you downloaded it, filled up the form and bring it to them, they won't accept it. For reasons only they know.

We stood in line 10 hours before we were able to finally register. Our IDs? They say we have to come back after two years.

last october 19 we attended the fundraising dinner for nick perlas.

i have been a prout student since 1982. since then i always believed this theory of a comprehensive economic and political neo-humanist system is the answer to the present social crisis. since then i have always looked for the man who could lead this country armed with this idea and with an invariable character - a moralist, spiritualist, a listener, and a fighter. for 25 years i've never meet one.

and then shiila introduced nick perlas to me. a sensible, sensitive man who thinks deeply and works hard. low profile. fought against the bataan nuclear installation, led the fight for the banning of 32 agro pesticides, wrote books on the environment, involved in civil fights, a farmer, a thinker, a doer and a believer in the cause.

i'm voting for him this election. i'm volunteering for his cause right now.