2016 is around the corner and recently, many people in the online complaintosphere have lamented that it’s the same old names. This is actually predictable, because Filipinos haven’t leveled up in what they demand from leaders. They behave the same old way: vote and forget. They vote, then assume the leaders already know what to do. No participation or active follow-up. Perhaps factored in by the Filipinos’ legendary laziness, it’s also because Filipinos likely don’t know what they should call for from leaders.
I see some patterns in how Filipinos look at their “leaders,” so I’ve decided to jot them down.
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1. Filipinos seem to vote for people who are like themselves. One thing I have opined was that Filipinos vote for people like themselves. It’s been discussed in some circles that former president Joseph Estrada has mistresses, gambles and drinks heavily (his surgery for a liver ailment could be proof of that). OK, let’s assume for this moment these are true, these are heavy vices. Yet why did he become president? Because it is likely that his voters are also womanizers, gamblers and drunkards themselves. It’s a kind of narcissism. Whether these charges about Estrada may or may not be true, it does seem like you are who you vote. Thus, if the government people are corrupt, it would be because a lot of the ordinary people themselves may be corrupt.
2. As aptly alluded to in Get Real Philippines Webmaster Benign0’s recent article, Filipinos are afraid of discipline and intelligence. Many Filipinos still lack discipline, and it can’t be denied in the face of violations of traffic regulations and how much Filipinos cheat and lie to turn things unfairly into their advantage (such as bribing officials in bids or rigging a bid through connections, or putting an unqualified relative in employment). Some Filipinos reason that since others are intending to hoodwink you, beat them to the draw! And when caught, Filipinos don’t want to be punished; they can use anything from arrogance to paawa effect to avoid punishment. Filipinos’ me-first attitudes lead then to treat rules as mere suggestions. As a result, Filipinos make other people suffer for their wrongdoings.
Right now, the fear of Bongbong Marcos and Rodrigo Duterte running for anything in higher office has sparked fears of Martial Law, something that Benign0 rightly said will not happen again. But what do Filipinos really fear: Martial Law or just discipline? Indeed, Benign0 implied that what Filipinos fear is being made to follow the rules. Some Filipinos will profess that they want other Filipinos to follow the rules, but when asked to follow the rules themselves, they might kick and scream. This will be true of all classes, rich, middle, poor or whatever.
So basically, Filipinos love kunsintidor leaders. They want the leaders who approve of their wrongdoings and will just let them go, or will even save them when punishment is being implemented on them. They would want it done to others but not to them. It can be said that most Filipinos want impunity (though a select few actually have it) and is one of the major factors why our society is backward.
3. Filipinos hate intelligence and intellectuality. Because Marcos was intelligent, they believe anybody who is intelligent will be corrupt. I also recall during the 2010 campaign, there were reports of things like Richard Gordon slapping a woman, or other more intellectual candidates committing purported abuses, though they were never proven. An even more recent example has Filipinos being butthurt over world-class star Lea Salonga’s astute and correct opinions about “kababawan” (shallowness). Indeed, Filipinos are a gullible people, so if they easily be fooled by sarcasm or hoaxes, they could indeed be fooled by tsismis (gossip) about intelligent people being “corrupt.”
There are also myths believed by people about “matalinos.” A client claimed to have an intellectual friend who is hot-tempered and does not like repeating himself when explaining something to a person, indicating low patience. And she believes that this is common among intelligent people. This may have been observed in politicians who are considered intellectuals, such as Dick Gordon and Miriam Defensor Santiago. Not all intellectuals are like this, but think about it: if you saw someone doing wrong who insists that he is still right, if wouldn’t that make you blow your stack? Also, is blowing one’s stack really a bad sign? It seems people try to demonize people rightly blowing their stack to try and gain impunity.
Not only that, we have TV shows and movies that demonize people with brains. If someone has brains, he belongs to the abusive rich, or that brains are used mostly for stealing or swindling. They believe that the purpose of intelligence is for making dastardly schemes or “diskarte,” and so Filipinos wrongly associate intelligence with evil. But that seems to show something about Filipino the Filipino psyche too: that hoodwinking or swindling someone is what Filipinos really want to do to others. Again, another example of ordinary people and not just the “leaders” being corrupt.
4. Filipinos still focus on personalities rather than ideas.
Again, we recall that famous saying of Eleanor Roosevelt:
Indeed, one may conclude that a very significant part of the Filipino populace is small-minded, elaborations on which the Get Real Post is full of. But upon just looking at how Filipinos vote, you already learn a lot. They don’t talk about the platforms or achievements. They talk about the personalities. They talk about whether the person has good bearing or “acts dignified,” which may be good, but is not really a leader in action. The worst things I hear about candidates is, “he is so handsome/she is so pretty,” as if looks had anything to do with the job. And when you see a supporter of a candidate, they often act rabidly, as if they worship their candidate as a god. Another indicator of Filipinos being starstruck ignoramuses – a.k.a. willing slaves, peasant mentality.
So with these observations, one can still retain that ever-applicable conclusion that ordinary Filipinos share responsibility for why their society is in the pits. And they still refuse to take that responsibility, saying the blame is on the leaders and everything else. Not them. Unless more Filipinos change their ways and act like responsible citizens, their country and society will remain backward.
I believe, as my cohorts here do, that what Filipinos embrace as their culture is what actually pulls the country down. And those who seem to be anti-dictators, who may also believe themselves to be “heroes,” are the real dictators.
All very good points and I just want to add supporting assertions.
I don’t see why anyone is afraid of a dictatorship happening again. The handpicked Constitutional Commission of Cory Aquino that came up with the current constitution made sure that a President can never exercise too much power. The congress always rule if there is a factual basis in the declaration of martial law. Heck, the President may not even exercise emergency powers without the authority of the Congress.
The powers of the Supreme court were also increased expanding their jurisdiction to questions involving executive acts that may be unconstitutional or abusive of his discretion.
Our bill of rights is also very good.
No, dictatorship can only come from a President who is so popular, who is so in cahoots with the majority of the legislature and with justices who have no independence and who are beholden to that President. And with a people who believe every word of his propaganda. Only then will a dictatorship happen again. I daresay that we very nearly experienced that during the term of the current President Aquino, (even moreso than with PGMA) and I’m very glad to see him going.
Thank you, and good observation about fears of a dictatorship. Even the people who were once behind it are likely too afraid of doing it again.
Actually, I think Bobi Tiglao expressed it most eloquuently:
“At the height of his popularity and political power, President Aquino in 2012 mesmerized and bribed Congress, media, even traditionally anti-establishment leftwing groups as Bayan Muna and Akbayan to join his lynch mob against Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“That period was as dark for this Republic as when Marcos imposed martial law on September 21 four decades ago. Maybe even worse, since Marcos imposed his will by declaring martial law and closing down the press, while Aquino managed to control people’s minds through his glib talk and with a media that, for some reason, believed his lies.”
http://www.manilatimes.net/joker-arroyo-warrior-vs-naked-power-titan-among-political-pygmies/224038/
People don’t seem to realize that you can have something akin to martial law without actually having martial law itself.
I had to go to Wikipedia to find out who Richard Gordon was. For a textbook example of what happens when Filipinos are given impunity and self-determination in place of discipline (in this case, imposed by the US), read what happened to his father. Not much has changed since 1967.
“Filipinos hate intelligence and intellectuality”
–Sino bang hindi gusto ang katalinuhan? Pero walang kwenta ang katalinuhan mo kung gagawa at gagawa ka rin lang ng katarantaduhan. The problem here is, some of these “intelligent” people running our government lack integrity. Without integrity, nothing else matters.
While there is truth in some of the points you raised, I doubt if this kind of approach you and the rest of the GRP writers are using is enough to encourage change among Filipinos. Hell, the mangmang majority who don’t have access to the internet can’t even read this.
ChinoF, why don’t you and all your fellow intellectuals here in GRP start an advocacy or movement that concentrates on real solutions/actions rather than just act like keyboard warriors?
Your amazing brain cells can do better than this, yes?
What makes you think the majority can’t really read this? Also, isn’t the real solution exactly to change our ways? So your solution is just to start a movement, maybe without changing our ways? But that movement is already started and the solutions are already offered. What real solutions are you looking for?
Integrity is right. But indeed, integrity without intelligence and intellectuality is like the good car without the driver. I say, intelligence is part of integrity.
@Lau
ChinoF, why don’t you and all your fellow intellectuals here in GRP start an advocacy or movement that concentrates on real solutions/actions rather than just act like keyboard warriors? Your amazing brain cells can do better than this, yes?
Just my 2 cents on your comment/challenge if you don’t mind –
I understand you want more action from the people behind their keyboards/smartphones churning out WORDS here on this site. But you also have to understand that people have various roles in society.
There’s a Jose Rizal who WRITES and instigates change (like a revolution), and there’s an Andres Bonifacio who gets all fired up enough reading Rizal’s work to get him to actually leave his chair and DO something.
My point is – WRITING should not downplayed. It’s actually an integral part of the “realization” process: MIND –> WORDS –> IMPLEMENTATION –> FINAL PRODUCT
If you’re the Andres Bonifacio type, I invite you to use material here and in similar sites to fire up the masses.
For instance, I presented the following at a school lately, getting quite positive feedback:
Filipino Mind Revolution
http://zaxxun.com/filipino-mind-revolution/
This presentation material is free to use and distribute. If you want to present this in your company, school, organization, political party, agency, etc., please feel free to do so.
I agree with ChinoF, we need to change the Filipino’s ways/mindset. This is foundational to the change we want to achieve. We all need to do our part.
Perhaps that commenter’s idea of a solution is, “support my candidate, else you’re a traitor.”
You’re making me laugh ChinoF. What makes you think that’s my idea of a solution? Can’t you see, I’m actually acknowledging your intelligence. Reading the other articles posted in this blog makes me think that the writers know a lot.. in fact, you and your fellow authors know better, yes?
GRP has been so aggressive pointing out what’s wrong with Pinoys, that they are these and that.. Question is, will this actually reach the stupid majority? Will this really enlighten their minds and eventually change their ways? How many percent of the Philippine population can actually read this?
“So someone complains about no solutions but doesn’t offer solutions themselves. That would make them the real complainer and a fake.”
-Oh well I’m suggesting that you and your fellow intellectuals start a movement which will go beyond just talking, blaming and complaining. Something that will inspire people to change their ways.
Y GRP writers, armed with their ‘oh-so-amazing’ brain cells are more than capable to think of real solutions.
*GRP writers, armed with their ‘oh-so-amazing’ brain cells, are more than capable to think of real solutions. Take the lead ChinoF, I and the rest of the ordinary Pinoys might follow. I’m actually going to check Zaxx’s material. 🙂
So someone complains about no solutions but doesn’t offer solutions themselves. That would make them the real complainer and a fake.
Another worthless article.
Ho hum
(I expect this post to be removed faster than the Marcos Loyalist Zombies could say, “This nation can be great again!”)
LOL
Since you give no reason to back your assertion in this likely paid comment, it becomes so vacuous, hot air has more value.
@ChinoF Sure. Anyone who does not agree with your stupidity is being paid. Typical ignorant reasoning.
Filipinos seem to vote for people who are like themselves.
– lack of education
Lack of Discipline
– poor law enforcement, cultural dysfunction (passive, pinagbibigyan, etc.)
majority of pinoys don’t get what democracy requires: responsibility, hard-work, nationalism
Found someone who knows how to fairly describe voters —
Failipinos in the Failippines have the army of mediocrities followed by the multitude of fools. As the mediocrities and the fools always form the immense majority, it is impossible for them to elect an intelligent government.
Spot-on bullseye ChinoF!
“Filipinos seem to vote for people who are like themselves.”
Which is why ideally we shouldn’t entrust the selection of a leader to the masses. Will a bunch of irresponsible tambays and addicts choose a disciplined hard-working student as to be their leader?
We should leave the choice to the intellectuals.
Japan’s parliamentary democracy, in which legislative representatives choose among themselves who will be prime minister, would be a more appropriate system for PHL populated mostly by star-struck hypnotized ignoramic zombies.
PHL should change its constitution to parliamentary and save itself from the billions spent/wasted by presidential candidates in campaigning/vote-buying every election season.
PHL could have been a much better place to live and die in if Pinoys only used just a little more COMMON SENSE.
You hit the point there buddy. But, if we do that, we are just removing the rights of those people, given that they actually occupies a big percent in the population of voters. Well, the idea is great, just that it’ll be unfair.
As an alternative, maybe “intellectuals” can just hang out and inform / educate people of who is more likely, the next savior of the PHL. And I can’t think of more —
Proportional representation like in the U.S. electoral college could work. Besides, the election system here of each person voting the candidates directly is a big mess. You can even mix and match different candidates from different parties, which I thought was nice when I was young, but later I realized it was a recipe for disaster. Voting for parties should be locked that you can’t mix up people from different parties.
In addition, PCOS machines or similar still using printed ballots is still old. We should have the computer stations where you select your candidate using the keyboard, and you’re done. No writing on paper, no other steps where cheating would be sneaked in. But for sure, for obvious reasons, this will be blocked.
Another funny case of life imitating fiction. Reading this reminds me of the book “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. The way the Filipinos nowadays act are the same way how the animals act in the book. Easily fooled and blinded by slogans. Not to mention, easily controlled.
Also interesting to note, the book also begins with a revolution to overthrow a dictatorship… Only to lapse into dictatorship again but in a different name.
The line : “four legs good, two legs better!” Is the corrupted form of the creed “four legs good, two legs bad!” Is the book showing how the original vision got corrupted by those in power.
I say lets all gather up in a place and form a group that will have the wealth and resources to preach integrity and teach rationality, common sense and intellectuality to the people. Let’s assign members one for reform propaganda and one for going out to teach, preach and rebuke, and instill discipline and knowledge among the people no matter how the majority will hate us, hunt us down, kill us, use black propaganda or worse…ignore us. We are the Brotherhood of the Sons of the Motherland. or call it whatever way you like.
There are many Filipinos.
Which type of Filipino will…
1) Vote for people who are like themselves,
2) afraid of discipline and intelligence,
3) hate intelligence and intelligent people,
4) focus on personalities not ideas.
The reality is we are all Filipinos here.
I guess the first step is to know ourselves and what would make us different from these Pinoys.
Then network with like minded individuals.
I think the solution here is to not focus on leadership at all. Deconstruct the Filipino culture first, call for its toxicity and abomination. I call for the abandonment of ideology. Fuck yeah, even abandon patriotism! There needs a cultural change, just like the one being initiated within the Philippine Navy.
My rationale for abandoning ideology is because by looking at the social cancer that is the Failipenises, ideology is not really the issue nor sticking their thumb to the ass of a political candidate. Failipinos do not think for themselves, have a slave mentality, and will always be one-upped by another nationality.
There needs to be a rise of a more uncommon Filipino man, as highlighted by the author.
A polemic like me can simply propose to smash the four olds just as Mao Zedong did to avenge their century of humiliation: Old Ideas, Old Culture, Old Customs, and Old Habits. Clearly Failippines did not have such history. EDSA didn’t do shit but to stir fake nationalism, go back to their shitty lives, and still be hailed outside as a peaceful protest.
A Lunatique next to me can propose better solutions, too.
@Anttipinoy_1987_ProUltraMax:
“A polemic like me can simply propose to smash the four olds just as Mao Zedong did to avenge their century of humiliation…”
Will a polemic like you point out exactly what ideology are you talking about?
If the solution being proposed is to abandon ideology, abandon patriotism, then, why should you pick up and embrace again what you’ve initially intend to abandon, an ideology…
An ideology that even promotes patriotism and unity in social collectivism?
How do you deconstruct Filipino culture setting aside your focus on leadership with an ideology that is authored by what else… a leader?
It’s kinda interesting how you put it… isn’t it?
Cat’s out of the bag, fellas. Speak of the devil, a horse walks into a bar… Has no solutions.
Nationalism, patriotism nowadays has little to do with the current social cancer that is Failipinos. It is a smoke screen for an entanglement in the minds of its citizens.
Marcos penned “The True Filipino Ideology”, and quote: “Our history, in sum, is forging our emergent national ideology.” The sentimyento the patatas “cultural re-awakening, a rediscovery of tradition, a re-examination of history and heritage, that a virtual artistic resurgence followed” only works when outside the country, for it clings nostalgia.
The current slogan of Bagong Pilipinas campaign is a nostalgia from the predecessor’s “New Society”. I mean for God’s sake, why bother having a remastered video game when the game engine itself wasn’t worked out or even fucking replaced?
Abandoning ideology means deconstructing that collectivism and patriotism that no longer serves the actual intention- Failipinos normally operate in a low-trust hellscape they created for themselves. A kind of basket casing that transcended even economic basket casing, Failipinos had to create another basket casing that only they can fucking excel in.
And to answer your question: “How do you deconstruct Filipino culture…”
It’s simple, really.
The door is wide open, feel free to get the fuck out.