I came to the conclusion that in spite of all the things the Philippines has going for it, its people didn’t demand enough of themselves, or of their government. Political apathy and a willingness to accept a low common denominator of performance have taken their toll on the psyche of the Philippine people.
-From “The Philippine Bus and Miss Universe” by Daniel Wagner
I think, Mr. Wagner, that not unlike post-turmoil Indonesia, we have hope. It just happens to be hope in all the wrong places: in a president who’ll never address the longstanding problem of class, class consciousness and Hacienda Luisita; in a deluded cop’s remaining mercy; in noontime television shows promising to one-up poverty, regardless of the whole host of complexities behind it; in instant change within the ranks of the well-fucked-up institutions like the police (Hello, GMA, you there? That was a nice bitchslap, leaving us with all this rottenness); and in the superficial gloss of beauty pageants – just don’t stop me from asserting that all talk of beauty is sexist.
I still like Venus Raj, though. Wish the girl shared with the universe that tiny light coming from the lampara during her days of struggle as a poor student, or the Stella Marquezes of the world attempting to strip her of her crown. Biggest mistakes, hurdles, tribulations, what have you – anything to show the idiots mouthing “Major, Major” like they’re some bigshot that you’ve lived.
