A few days ago, I shared an entry I posted here with the Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran mailing list. The post was entitled Dahil Puno Na Ang Salop, a rather corny tribute to the King of Philippine Action Movies.
Anyway, I was shocked to find that the piece had traveled halfway around the world. Internet magic.
Now at first it was sort of bewildering, then kind of cool, then sort of scary.
I know I’m not supposed to feel scared when people mention that they’ve received and read my entry via e-mail, but well, I’m just not used to that. Suddenly, people were telling me how much they liked what I wrote.
It’s flattering, but lately I get this feeling from the comments that people think I’m some sort of civic minded being. I’m not. I’m just a little concerned that there are misconceptions about me. I’m not an activist, I’ve never joined a rally, and my Facebook profile says I’m politically apathetic, which is true.
The truth is, I just got so fed up with what was happening, hence the post. I hope people don’t start thinking I’m this gung-ho person who lives and breathes politics. I rarely talk about politics, really.
There have been calls to get me a citizenship, but I’m afraid that isn’t as easy as dialing for pizza. Overall, this is great. I’m glad that what I wrote hit a nerve and people liked it. Maybe I’m just a little overwhelmed.
Truth is, I’m just an ordinary employee, working everyday to get by. I don’t have answers, I don’t have any plans. No, I don’t want People Power 3. I want someone to be accountable for the ZTE-NBN scandal, I want someone to go to jail for this crime if proven guilty by the judicial system. Yes, I’m naive. It’s a little hard to outgrow.
February 17th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Well, you have every right to feel that way. I get that feeling when it comes to the Sumilao Farmers.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Well, yeah. I just got a bit overwhelmed because suddenly people were talking about kicking the current resident out. I mean, it didn’t work twice before, so who’s to say it’s going to work now? The problem is that we keep thinking getting present occupant off the throne is the solution, then we rest and let government go back to its ways.
It didn’t work then, it’s not gonna work now. Seriously, I want someone to take this entire thing to court and have a real judge deal with it.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Exactly. Kicking them out does NOTHING. Look at Erap. After the pardon, what *exactly* were the repercussions of his being kicked out of office again?
February 18th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Oh yes yes yes. That’s one reason I refuse to attend rallies. It’s crazy. These guys were at each others’ necks years ago. Now they’re the best of friends. Where’s the dignity and principle in that?
February 18th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Politicians have short term memory. It’s amazing who even Cory Aquino can find herself allied with at times.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I don’t really like talking about politics either, despite the fact that I’m a government worker and you think I ought to be more involved.
I think those who consider themselves “politically apathetic” are those who actually have ideas that can work. I guess it’s because we’re not blinded by who we align ourselves with. I’m all for having someone be accountable for the ZTE and all other scandals, but like you, had enough of the shouts for whoever is president to step down. I guess we never learn.
February 18th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Exactly. I think the best thing to do is stop corruption in our own lives. Like I promise not to pay off traffic cops anymore for both real and made-up traffic violations.