The Allure of Popularity Over Principles

Often, familiarity does not breed contempt---at first---especially when the familiarity is repeatedly backdropped against a good (though fabricated) image. We think what we see is what we get, and this is where deception and manipulation get a good start. Though wrong judgment is, well, wrong, we were dragged by the notion too far so that any critical srcutiny has been deemed being judgemental about things, or people. Legalistic is another favorite term today to ostracize those who think differently and inisist on correct thinking. 

Photo by madeleine craine on Unsplash.

In an age dominated by social media, celebrity culture, and instant gratification, many people find themselves drawn to popular personalities rather than firmly standing by principles. While this phenomenon may seem perplexing at first, it is deeply rooted in psychology, social dynamics, and human nature. Understanding why people are often more inclined to follow charismatic figures than adhere to ethical or logical principles reveals much about societal values and the mechanisms of influence.  

1. The Power of Charisma and Influence

Popular personalities often possess traits that captivate the masses—charm, confidence, and the ability to evoke strong emotions. These qualities create a sense of connection between the individual and their audience. Charisma can make ideas appear more appealing and palatable, even when they contradict logic or ethical principles. Instead of critically evaluating the validity of a person's beliefs or actions, many people feel compelled to support those who inspire them or make them feel understood.  

2. The Herd Mentality and Social Validation

Humans are naturally wired to seek belonging within social groups. The herd mentality, a psychological phenomenon where individuals tend to conform to the majority, plays a significant role in shaping opinions and behaviors. When a popular personality gains widespread support, many people follow them simply because others do. Supporting someone with immense influence provides social validation, making people feel like they are part of a larger movement.  

3. Emotional Appeal vs. Rational Thinking

Principles are often rooted in reason, logic, and ethics, requiring individuals to think critically and make informed decisions. Popular personalities, on the other hand, rely heavily on emotional appeal. Whether through humor, relatability, or stirring speeches, they tap into emotions that override rational thought. Many people are drawn to figures who resonate with their feelings, even if their values or principles are questionable.  

4. The Role of Media and Marketing

Modern media plays a vital role in shaping public opinion. Popular personalities often have well-crafted personas, marketed through viral content, interviews, partisan social surveys and strategic branding. The sheer exposure to these individuals makes them more familiar and trusted, even if their beliefs lack substantive merit. On the other hand, principles, especially those that challenge mainstream narratives, may struggle to gain traction in a heavily curated media landscape.  

5. The Fear of Isolation

Choosing principles over personalities can be a lonely road. Defying widely supported figures may result in backlash, social alienation, or ridicule. Many people prefer to follow the crowd rather than risk being ostracized for standing by their convictions. This fear of being perceived as an outsider compels individuals to align themselves with influential personalities rather than prioritize truth or ethics.  

Breaking the Cycle

Despite the tendency to favor personalities over principles, there is hope for promoting critical thinking and ethical decision-making. Encouraging independent thought, questioning influential figures, and prioritizing truth over popularity can empower individuals to support ideals based on integrity rather than celebrity status.  

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3 Better Protest Alternatives than Rallies on Inaugurations

Protest rallies are getting too boring and exasperating to watch each presidential inauguration and actually ineffective. Regimes go on even with the most fiercest or violent of them. Even the so-called EDSA Revolution didn't stop the Marcoses for good. See? So what's the point?

Image by Peter H from Pixabay.

So I tried thinking how protesters can better express grievances in more productive ways and give us spectators something new to see in the news and, who knows, even prod us to consider what they're fighting for. Ralliers may still consider suggestions here while BBM's inauguration is still hours away.

Free Coffee

I'd definitely join something like this--a protest rally that doles out coffee for free--better if it's courtesy of Starbucks, even if it's just cappuccino in medium plastic cups. That'll do. And maybe add my favorite Danish cinnamon bun? 

Do you know the number of coffee lovers in the Philippines? The FB group "Kape Lovers" alone has 126.6K members while "Samahan ng Mahilig sa Kape" has 215.8K as of this writing. That's not counting the silent, apolitical coffee lovers who may join in just for the coffee.

Imagine that big support? You'd so easily fill Luneta Grandstand with at least a million peaceful protesters (coffee promotes peace). 

Boodle Fight

Jose Rizal included a chapter in his El Filibusterismo a dinner scene at a panciteria attended by 14 students. They renamed the menu foods after several prominent folks they had grievances as a protest. What better way to protest than "eat" officials you are against and satirically critique their taste. Do it in a boodle fight using a long table across Luneta where both pros and cons share the meal and take turns with their mockery and rebuttal.

That'll be fun.

Walkout

No one's ever done this before. Why not assemble at Luneta and when inauguration starts, everyone simply leave and go home. Imagine the intense drama. That will baffle everyone--the inaugural party, the police, military intelligence, the media, the entire country and the whole world. Imagine that media mileage. Why? Because no one's ever done it before. And everyone will be curious and beg you for endless interviews why you guys did it. Isn't that what you want? Attention?

Better Yet

Better yet, let's give BBM the benefit of a doubt. I didn't vote for him but because God allowed him to win, I can peacefully live with that---because the bible says I must submit to the governing authorities. When the apostle Paul wrote this, the governing authority was quite anti-Christian and super cruel to them. Yet, that's what he urged believers. 

I may be peaceful with the idea that BBM is president, but this doesn't mean I would agree with unjust or inept governance. I won't protest, though. I have a more dreadful alternative. I'd pray. My GOD holds real governance and he decides who gets cursed and who gets blessed. And in this matter, HE listens to what I think, through Christ.

New Variant and the New Normal

The new, mutated Covid variant is said to spread easier and faster. With people getting more lax and carefree today, the new variant is bound to change the new normal. New normal used to mean a new way of living daily life, specifically referring to the regular wearing of face masks and shield plus social distancing, shortened work hours and living almost half of life online. Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash.

But we've changed that over the months. New normal to us now is how we want to go back to life years ago and do that by throwing all safety protocols out the window. Well, yeah we pretend to be doing them but in worst ways we can. I call it the New New Normal.

And now the new variant enters the scene. Experts say it doesn't make Covid deadlier but helps it spread faster. So unless we change the new normal, we help this new variant accomplish its mission. Dr. John Wong, epidemiologist and founder of EpiMetrics, claims that the cases in the Philippines could grow 15 times if the new variant becomes a "dominant species."

“If the variant takes over, the 20,000 cases can become almost 300,000 cases by the end of the month. This is what we want to avoid,” ABS CBN quoted the doctor as saying.

Again, for a while this new variant scared us, but not for long--the same way we reacted to the original Covid last year. After a while, we're immediately back to business as usual--even with the reported cases rising everywhere and death tolls climbing. After hearing so much about these things, we've grown callous to it all, and going back to the belief that it will never happen to us, especially because we believe our religion or church attendance or God will protect us.

That's how we define the new normal today, and it's seen by how we live it on a daily basis. Face masks worn on the chin, face shields worn on the head, and being mindless about social distancing. Companies and schools requiring daily face-to-face work again--all these especially in crowded places. Staying out even if it's not necessary. Risking infection just to be in malls. Partying. People talking and laughing loudly in close spaces. 

We're actually prepping an easy way in for the new variant.

The only solution is to go back to the genuine new normal, strictly keeping all urgent safety protocols intact, and seriously at that. Doing more things online than face-to-face and keeping folks indoors as much as possible. Actually, these things don't need law enforcement if we all realize how we're responsible for one another. 

And if government will wisely think up of really needed protocols and measures.

No more silly ideas like motorcycle shields, face-to-face schooling, issuing statements like kids staying home would more likely catch Covid than if they were in school. No more enforcing distancing among members of the family who live in the same house (or separating couples in vehicles or restaurants). And especially no more exemptions to rules in favor of public officials. 

These are the things that make people abandon and trash all safety protocols.

And God keeping you safe even if you go out and have church? Well, believers and priests and pastors getting the Covid is a clear indication that God is up to something else, NOT protecting church folks using Him to stubbornly defy the authorities. Churches have been praying for the Covid to disappear and look what's happened? Covid didn't go away. It's become even faster so that many governments are contemplating lockdowns anew. What happened to our prayers?

Because it seems God is tired about what we do in church purportedly "for him." He finds nothing in it but man's religion, enthroning what man can do. So he himself seems to be closing it down, pushing us into a corner where we find ourselves so helpless that all we can do is listen to his words in the bible--and take them really seriously this time.

“I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream! [Amos 5]

And "justice" here does not mean we march out in the streets to protest against injustices or election frauds or fight against human rights violations--just having ourselves used by politicians. It means maintaining genuine godly relationships (how we ourselves treat others) that flow endlessly into "righteousness like a never-ending stream."

Freedom Lovers

With what happened to ABS CBN, a lot of freedom lovers have surfaced--both those for and against the network's closure. Yup, we each have our own definitions of what freedom is. One says freedom is being able to enjoy all our rights. The other says it is giving those rights only if you have proper documentation--if you're legit. [Picture above by kmicican from Pixabay].

I appreciate them both in their zeal for their rights, in their efforts to substantiate their claims, and especially to those who have no connection whatsoever with ABS CBN and yet sound like lawyers when defending or attacking it.

But there is one thing I hate about all this--their acerbic intolerance for any opposing ideas. I mean, some folks clamor for press freedom yet become toxic when seeing posts contrary to their stand. Sometimes they look like dictators. How can you invoke press freedom when you always suppress others' opinions? When you yourself stifle others' freedom of expression? A lot of people denounce dictatorship while being mad tyrants themselves. Are you one of them?

So, press freedom is important. We all hear about that these days. And it's true. I hope Duterte die-hard followers and the opposition realize this more. Instead of branding everyone who likes something the president does as "DDS" or "Dutertards," and instead of labeling everyone who sees something wrong in government or how the president does some things as "Yellowtards," they should all just allow people to express their views freely without being harassed or questioned.

De gustibus non disputandum est. That's one of the tenets of my college fraternity. Each one has a right to his or her own taste preferences. If this is what I believe about a certain issue, I must be given leeway to do so. You may think that I'm wrong, but let me be wrong. And I'll do the same to you. Unless, of course, I ask for your help or opinion. Then, freely give it to me. That's how freedom in a democracy works. That's what press freedom is all about. But if you're so intolerant of others' opinions but claim to be fighting for press freedom, you've totally lost it.

I once saw a post by a friend and decided to agree with him. So I commented, "Tama ka!" That's all I said. And then this other guy butted in directly under my comment uninvited and lectured me about what my friend's post was, sounding like he wanted to engage me in a debate. Debate is the stupidest thing ever on planet earth. It's solely for boosting the ego, nothing more, which self-centered folks enjoy doing to prove they are better. And then his post ended with something like, "(agreeing with my friend's post) is killing press freedom," or something to that effect.

Killing press freedom? And here he was profusely correcting me with my simple, innocent two-word comment to a friend without me asking for this intruder's opinion. He was violating my freedom of expression. What press freedom did he believe in?

A lot of people are like that on Facebook. For some reason they feel it their duty to watch closely what people post on FB and quickly correct or censure it if it does not agree with their ideas. They hate Duterte for being a "dictator" but are worse dictators themselves on FB. At least Duterte won't do that to me on FB. I'm no Duterte fan, I don't like a lot of what he does. And I'm no Yellowtard either. I'm just an independent-minded NON JOINER.

Freedom is important, so is press freedom. But before we fight for anything about them, we should make sure we understand what they really mean and practice it in everyday life.

Positive Mass Media

What they really want is an all-positive mass media, a propaganda machine of the government. What they see as truthful reporting is saying nothing but all-praises to the administration of Duterte. If this happens, genuine journalism dies in the country. [Image above by Elijah O'Donnell, Unsplash].

It's so immature (not to say dangerous) if you cannot stand criticism, be it constructive or otherwise. I hate destructive criticism but I won't control it. If I know something is false and destructive, I just ignore it. I know the truth will eventually put everything to light. And I know that positive and negative should always be around to balance things and help people see truth for themselves and not be dictated on or deceived.

But most political supporters (pro or against Duterte) cannot stand anything negatively portrayed about the political icons they support. It's tragic seeing people end up mere avid fans of political crooks.

Worse is, they think that anything questioning their icon's policy or move is negative, if not "fake news." Or even "yellowtard"  or "Dutertard" thinking. This attitude hates seeing truth and glories only in one-sided ideas.

Seeking truth means you remain neutral and going after facts alone. To do this, you need to stay apolitical and nonpartisan. You cannot be an avid supporter of a politician and also be a truth seeker. You need to be on truth's side alone. More so if you're a senator like Bato dela Rosa.

Truth is no respecter of persons. One time it may uphold you, another time it will fight you if you side with wrong. If you're for truth, you behave accordingly. You support anyone for truth and criticize anyone for wrong. But you lose the ability to discern right from wrong the moment you nurture bias for a person. Bias for the person grows and prejudice against truth that hurts him or her develops.

Criticism for truth is never personal. It doesn't mean you hate the guy if you criticize him. It may even be your way of supporting him. A rebel is different from a critic. The former wants to overthrow, the latter wants reforms. Because the bible says so, I support the presidency, no matter who is seated there. But I cannot tolerate bad words, blasphemy against God, POGO syndicates and employing Chinese workers here to the detriment of Filipino workers which Duterte tolerates. And the burdensome loans from China.

Nonetheless, I support the good things he does, like cleaning up Manila Bay, Boracay (and the agrarian reform there), some reforms in government offices, questioning Maynilad and the Ayalas (though some say it's mere showoff), and bluffing the Americans.

Opening up the country to Mainland Chinese tourists in the beginning of the deadly CoVid 19 emergency because the administration feared offending China was utter nonsense. It's still afraid of offending China in everything else. Not to mention the possibility of the Chinese military having covert operations here.

If you mention anything about these things, Duterte supporters come to his rescue and think you are either sinophobic or a yellowtard. The danger about avid fanaticism is you lose your sensibilities and sound judgment and become parochial. You become paranoid. You want nothing but one side of the argument. You want nothing but praises to your idol. It's also ridiculous seeing some critics fight Duterte just because they want some Liberal Party politicians to replace him.

Or they themselves want to be in power, too, and share in the loot.

I hate seeing fanatical FB posts for or against Duterte, but I ignore them. A lot of critics disrespect him. I realize their right to such but both of them won't let you alone. You post something for or against Duterte on your wall and they question you like you have no right to your own opinion and they're duty-bound to police social media and clean it of anything not pleasing to their political gods.

Democracy is letting others enjoy their own opinions and beliefs, as long as these do no destabilize government. Disturbing that right and insisting only on your own will surely destroy democracy, and that's what Marcos did during martial law. No one dared air complaints and criticism, not because he was doing right and everyone was happy, but because the opposition was stifled and choked. Truth was suppressed.

Martial law did a lot of good, too, but suppressing truth did more harm and, for me, it virtually negated whatever advantages it had. I don't care if you become rich, strong and successful if it's at the expense of truth.

An all-positive mass media? If it happens, it's nothing but a big joke.

Sham Loyalty

Only God and truth deserve our loyalty. Period. I cannot emphasize this more. All other loyalties are blind--even to family. Not to your company or church or country or any other person or thing. Not even to your discipler in Christ. And especially not to a politician. Only to God and truth. [Image above by Goh Rhy Yan, Unsplash].

Loyalty to Parents

We should love and obey our parents not out of loyalty to them but out of faithfulness to God. Jeremiah the prophet was for truth when he dared criticize the sins of their fathers which their sons and daughters had suffered.

Our fathers sinned, and are no more; It is we who have borne their iniquities. [Lamentations 5]

Can anyone today honestly dare criticize the founders of their church if they err? Or do we whitewash everything and save their faces? I know a lot of folks who criticize the wrongs of other church's leadership or founders but not their own. Loyalty to godless leaders or churches does not count in heaven.

Even God commanded Ezekiel to "judge the abominations of their fathers," [20'.4]. God does not require loyalty to your family or parents to the point of covering up for their sins (which is usually how people see loyalty to family is) but he does expect loyalty to his precepts and principles on family and obeying and respecting parents. If parents err, children should turn around and follow God.

“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things..." [Ezekiel 18.14]

But obedience to God on matters of obedience to parents can be quite radical. Isaac just submitted to Abraham while the latter was about to offer him as burnt sacrifice. Both father and son acted in obedience to God. Loyalty to God and truth should indeed be grounded on an intimate, supernatural and solid relationship with God founded deeply in his spoken, revealed Word.

But many righteous kings of Judah detested the wickedness of their fathers by demolishing what they had achieved and doing the complete opposite of what their fathers did. King Hezekiah is a good example here. He did a very radical thing by openly criticizing what their fathers had done and especially undoing the wrongs his father King Ahaz did.

6 Our parents were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the Lord our God and forsook him. They turned their faces away from the Lord’s dwelling place and turned their backs on him. 7 They also shut the doors of the portico and put out the lamps. They did not burn incense or present any burnt offerings at the sanctuary to the God of Israel. 8 Therefore, the anger of the Lord has fallen on Judah and Jerusalem; he has made them an object of dread and horror and scorn, as you can see with your own eyes. 9 This is why our fathers have fallen by the sword and why our sons and daughters and our wives are in captivity. [2 Chronicles 29]

But watch Abner, son of King Saul. He disobeyed the wrong commands of his father and had the right spiritual insight to see David as the next king (not himself). And yet he remained loyal to his father until death, not leaving his side during the fierce and deadly battle against the Philistines. Why? Because fighting the Philistines was in line with God's will for the kingdom of Israel. Though God did not fulfill that in Saul's kingship due to his wickedness, HE did it in David's.

Loyalty to Company or Church

They often stress loyalty to company as a good trait in employees. But if you're a serious Jesus follower (and a nonjoiner) your attitude to your company should be governed by your faithfulness to God alone. Paul the apostle wrote a lot about serving your boss well to please God, but the bible does not teach anything on being loyal to bosses or the company.

But the bible does say that: "Bad company corrupts good character," [1 Corinthians 15.33], and I seriously believe it applies to your job as well (not just to the kind of friends you keep). So the more you shouldn't give your loyalty to such. Some companies practice deceitful advertising or marketing or tamper with product quality for more profits. Or practice unfair labor practices. Don't be loyal to them. Do your job well, by all means, but don't be loyal to the company, especially with its wrong policies.

The only church that deserves your loyalty is the glorious and spiritual church of Jesus Christ, which is without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish, holy and pure. Church denominations and independent churches are definitely not included.

Loyalty to Country

The bible says submit to the governing authorities, but there are powerful instances in the bible when God required allegiance to him when there was conflict between him and the authorities. Which means we have to rely on his present spoken Word (the Now Word) on this matter. Peter and the apostles said they "would rather obey God than men" when they were prohibited by the Sanhedrin from preaching about Jesus [Acts 5.29].

Jeremiah was tasked to preach against his own country, urging the government to surrender to King Nebuchadnezzar than to fight him. And Rahab the prostitute from Jericho was told to betray her country and hide two enemy spies which led to the downfall of Jericho.

Thus, instead of loyalty to country, we should be faithful to what God tells us.

Loyalty to Your Discipler

Be obedient to your discipler or father in faith, but don't be loyal. The prophet Samuel was obedient to Eli the priest who served as his "discipler" for a while. But when God judged Eli, Samuel had to side with God and pronounce God's judgment on him. Though the Pharisees were the acknowledged religious leaders in Jesus' time (even he said so), Jesus told his disciples to leave them because they were blind guides. Any guide that is blind, we should leave.

Loyalty to Politicians

Only fools do so. Submit to the authorities (uphold the Constitution) but NOT politicians. Most politicians serve their benefactors or sponsors, not the country or citizenry--though they're skilled to look like they do. Most are deceptive manipulators. They're all the same (pro administration or the opposition) and this is so unfortunate. During elections, I try to choose the lesser evils. We have no choice.

We support the right things they do once they are in power but we should call attention to their wrongs (or criticize them). We do not rebel or take part in any destabilization, but neither should we be blind to their errors, corruption and atrocities.

Only God and truth deserve our unswerving loyalty.

Democracy for Undemocratic Designs

The Boston Globe

It's odd to use floor wax to make floors shiny so you can later muddy them again. Or apply it to make someone slip. Floor wax is legitimately for making floors shiny clean and preserving floor quality. It should be somewhat the same with democracy. But politicians use it to either throw mud at each other or make each other slip on the floor.

Democracy in the Philippines is not used for making things right in government so there would be equal rights for people. It's used for leverage so people in power and the opposition get what they want legitimately. It's equal rights among the few rich. It's getting popular support for crooked intentions. Specifically, it's getting majority of people giving approval to something that serves the interests and wants of a few who want to stay in power--whether the opposition or the incumbent. And believe me, these two are actually often in cahoots--pretending to be at war but actually serving each others' purposes.

That's democracy they shove down people's throats. Bourgeois democracy.

It's the democracy I mean when I say we don't need democracy--it's the last thing the country needs. It's like you pay dearly for pictures you attach to your resume but the pictures come out awful. It's the last thing you need to get a good job. But if you like to learn photography tricks to enhance your pictures, click here to watch the video.

Anyway...

We need dictatorship--or one man who'd dare demolish bourgeois democracy which has been in place for centuries and promoting only the interests of a few. But I'm not saying it's rightly Duterte manning the dictatorship. He's too servile to China. Well, he has the imagination to see the need, but he's not fit for the job. I'm still looking for the right guy.

There has to be checks and balances when a present administration is hellbent on implementing its priorities, but what we have is a few rich individuals--the oligarchy from both the administration and opposition (or else the puppets of oligarchs)--checking to see that everything serves their interests. They have strategic people lobbying for this and factions and groups whose interests coincide with theirs. They're not exactly allies--sometimes you see them fighting each other--but both being of bourgeois mentality and persuasion, their interests are similar.

And they're NOT the interests of the people.

Through the decades, these forces militate against whatever opposes their interests, often hindering reforms and policies the country really needs. And they win because their "democracy" protects them and ensures their success. This thwarts true progress and entrenches a corrupt system, keeping people powerless and the majority poor.

And they actually institutionalize poverty to ensure that less percent of the populace gets good education to keep them easily manipulated (and corruptible) during elections. That's how their democracy works. And this democracy cannot be dismantled by itself. "Democratic" elections cannot do it. They will just install the same bourgeoisie class with different faces, voices and interests that fool a lot of people--same dog different collar, as they say (my apologies to dogs). It has to be uprooted by a real dictatorship. Problem is, no one is mature enough to be the right dictator.

Duterte has some idea of it but is still so immature. He definitely knows how local politicking works and how to turn it to his advantage--he's an expert here--leveraging to get what he wants--but that's bourgeois method just the same. The Bourgeoisie cannot eliminate the Bourgeoisie. And I'm not suggesting the proletariat either, much less the CPP-NPA-NDF or any of the like. They're another kind of bourgeoisie (more sophisticated) but bourgeoisie nonetheless.

We need one like Singapore's Lee Kwan Yew, perhaps? Or probably someone a little worse than he was? Someone ruthless but still working within the bounds of true democracy--which is genuinely of, for and by the people? Democracy with dictatorship to fully enforce laws that are pro-people and anti-oligarchy? That's what we need. We need one who'd be like Lee:

His rule was criticised for curtailing civil liberties (media control and limits on public protests) and bringing libel suits against political opponents. He argued that such disciplinary measures were necessary for political stability which, together with rule of law, were essential for economic progress...(from Wikipedia)

But it's scary to even think of having this in our country. Who'd qualify to be dictator with a soft heart for the poor? So far, throughout history, they just use the poor for their own interests. Sadly, even the church do this. They cater to the weaknesses of the poor to drag them into the membership in hopes of becoming mega churches, if not being the most numerous church in the country. That's their dream. It's all a game for some unscrupulous bourgeois church ministers.

Remaining "democratic" will just plunge us deeper into the abyss of despair and ruin as a nation. The drug problem will flourish with "democratic" rights groups backing it. Big industries and businesses will remain the right of a few or foreign capital in the name of "democratic" liberalization and privatization. Environment degradation will go on as a "democratic" means of providing jobs for the masses. Stupid and corrupt candidates will go on being elected which they say is a mark of a healthy democracy.

With a "democratic" media siding anything that offers a higher price.

Only an altruistic and egalitarian dictatorship will save us. But who? My desperation for this sometimes makes me care less for elections and look forward to Christ's millennial reign on earth. And I'm serious. I'm tired of human leaders who fail because of their willing participation in corruption. Yeah, I think only Jesus' rule and leadership fits this ideal. Jesus a dictator? Well, not dictator but Lord. And being "Lord" means something definitely more than just dictating to people everything they should do, whether they like it or not. It's something more rigid. Believe me.

Dictators tell you what you should do so a few in power would be happy. Jesus' Lordship means you obey everything he says so his joy becomes your joy and becomes complete. That's Jesus democracy.

Trusting Princes and Submitting to Rulers

God wants you to submit to authorities but not trust in princes. Many fail to get this and go extreme one way or the other. It's sad when even some churches and pastors do this, showing the church yet disunited in faith and therefore immature, if we go by the Ephesians 4 rule. [Image above by Church of the King @cotk_photo, Unsplash].

Paul told believers to submit to the governing authorities because "all authorities are from God," [Romans 13]. You go against it, you go against God and find Him your enemy. Yup, even if the government is corrupt or evil (Paul wrote this as Christians were persecuted by an evil empire). But you should submit to the authority, not to personalities, especially NOT politicians. You should discern if a leader is acting as an authority or a politician.

It's silly to be loyal to a politician and desire to die protecting him--or defend all his crooked opinions and policies. Well, the Presidential Security Guard (PSG) protects the president as a matter of duty, not because they support his ideas and policies.

Peter and the apostles once defied men in authority (not the authority itself) when they were forbidden to preach the Word of God. He said, "We'd rather obey God than men." You see that? He said "than men" not "than the authority." He was against the dirty politics of the religious leaders. He was against the wrong they were doing. But he and the apostles were not rebelling against the government.

Jesus defied Herod when he stubbornly proceeded with his God-assigned preaching schedule rather than pay attention to Herod's murderous threats, keep mum or hide in fear. Yet, he told people to "give to Caesar what is Caesar's." To get a closer glimpse of this Kingdom principle, Jesus once told the Jews to obey the Pharisees but never to do what they did. You are duty-bound to obey a leader if what he says is within the jurisdiction of his authority. Anything outside of that is trash.

Do not trust anyone acting out of politics. Psalm 146. 3-7 says:

Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.

"Their plans" come to nothing when God ends their reign. And those "plans" include their politicking maneuvers and deceptions. The lies, double-talks, bluffs and sham pretenses. Those "plans" are outside the bounds of their authority. If you trust them in these things not even God will save you because you have clung to your idol. God hates idols.

Sacrificing Pawns to Gain a Queen

I've always believed in diplomacy from my teenage years and explains why I'm often diplomatic about my relations with people. But I think not anymore. Not with the new type of diplomacy used by the Philippines on China which I compare to how pawns are sacrificed in hopes of gaining a queen--but a queen which turns out to side with the enemy. [Image above by Randy Fath, Unsplash].

I thought diplomacy in foreign relations is the skill of gently and wisely bargaining for better deals or terms for your country and its good relations with other countries. That's how I've always understood it and why I've always admired diplomats, my grandpa being once the ambassador to Paris when I was a kid. But this recent NCoV crisis was an eyeopener. Not all diplomacy is for the country. There's one which a client state nurtures for a hegemonic state.

Like how the Philippine government was reluctant at first to issue a travel ban on all flights coming from China at the height of the Coronavirus outbreak there for fear of offending that country. And some government officials saw this as diplomacy. Here's how Health Secretary Francisco Duque III put it: "If we do this, then the concerned country – China in this case – might question why we’re not doing the same for all other countries that have reported cases of the new coronavirus. It’s very tricky… but we commit to take this into consideration."

And to think that the Department of Foreign Affairs was dependent on what the DOH thought of the issue for its "diplomatic responses." Teddy Locsin, Jr. put it this way: "The Department of Foreign Affairs will take its direction regarding diplomatic responses to the coronavirus from Health Secretary Duque. Only." So the diplomatic approach is now dependent on how China feels about what we do to protect our country from dangers coming from them.

In short, they're scared of hurting China's feelings. That's the diplomatic stance now. No more thoughts about our welfare as Filipinos in our own backyard. It doesn't matter what happens to us as long as they make China happy.

It's nothing new really because this subservient or puppet diplomacy was what racked Aguinaldo's cabinet in the Fil-Am War and which General Antonio Luna fought hard against--that of pleasing a benefactor country to the disadvantage of their own countrymen.

Don't Panic?

Calling your government's attention to its inaction is not panic, especially when even the World Health Organization had already declared the NCoV affair a global emergency. You realize what a "global emergency" is? Especially when other countries were starting to bar incoming flights from China or closing their borders with the same. And then you see your own government just welcoming mainland Chinese tourists like everything's okay, like they're really on top of the situation.

But then you remember the Dengvaxia fiasco where all they did was point fingers at each other while kid-victims were helplessly dying. Like, you see your child about to be run over and you just act there nonchalant like nothing's about to go wrong. You're not being calm. You're an idiot.

I've seen rabid Duterte supporters tell people not to panic and stay clear of "fake news" on the virus. And by "fake news" they mean the deadly nature of nCoV which they take lightly. They laugh at those too concerned about it and question why the "over-reaction" and the insistence for a total travel ban? I saw a post on FB asking why we didn't ban travel from the US in 2018-2019 when thousands died of the flu virus there. Here's how CDC reported it:

"CDC estimates that the burden of illness during the 2018–2019 season included an estimated 35.5 million people getting sick with influenza, 16.5 million people going to a health care provider for their illness, 490,600 hospitalizations, and 34,200 deaths from influenza (Table 1). The number of influenza-associated illnesses that occurred last season was similar to the estimated number of influenza-associated illnesses during the 2012–2013 influenza season when an estimated 34 million people had symptomatic influenza illness6."

The FB post asked why no flights from the US were banned from entering the country? And I ask the same thing--yeah, why didn't our authorities ban flights from the US then? They should have. They missed taking that health threat seriously--which could have been fatal to us--and it was just God's grace and mercy that we were spared then. Thank God!

But that doesn't mean we take all global health threats carelessly just because we were spared the first time. That's another silly conclusion to make. Just because the danger missed hitting us then, doesn't mean we should rely heavily on our good luck from then on. It's like missing a holdup incident on a crime-prone road. You missed it by just a minute. Another guy who was there one minute earlier was victimized.

So what do you do the next time around? Travel the same crime-prone road because anyway you were lucky the first time? Nope, you take another route. The time you were spared should serve as a lesson for you. Thank God you were spared the first time, but you should know better than go careless again. God wants you smarter this time around. You cannot be negligent again and hope to get lucky once more.

What the guy wanted the authorities to do (the guy who posted on FB) was probably treat the nCoV crisis with the same carelessness they did during the 2018-2019 flu virus in the US. "We did nothing the first time and we were lucky. Why do anything now?" That seems to be his line of thinking.

Some taint it with racism. When the health threat comes from the US, we don't issue travel bans. But when it comes from China, we do. We're discriminating against China, they conclude. It amazes me how they could still think of China this way and worry more about discrimination when Filipino lives are at serious risk of a deadly outbreak.

Other people ask, what if the disease started with us and China issues the same ban against us? Wouldn't we be hurt? Hurt by what? You really think we have friendly relations with China and China sees us as friend? Wake up!

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if China would issue a travel ban against us. That's the sensible thing their government should do--protect their people first. And I'm sure China will not think twice to do it. They're smart.

Another issue is the plight of the OFWs. What do we do with the OFWs in China who want to come home? I don't know why anyoen would ask this. We're talking strictly of Chinese folks coming from mainland China. That's the context of the total travel ban we seek to impose and which anyone with common sense would readily see (except if you play dumb--or are really dumb). OFWs can go home anytime but they need to undergo the arduous 14-day quarantine process.

And that's exactly what Duterte did--a ban on all incoming flights from China, except Filipinos in that country who wanted to go home. See? If you have common sense, that's what total travel ban means.

Racism?

But mainland Chinese folks going here? No way. It should be total ban without compromise. It has nothing to do with racism (another issue floated around) or hatred for the Chinese. We're not fighting the Chinese here but the deadly virus which unfortunately originated in China.

Another stupid issue is giving it political color. They say total ban is the idea of the Yellowtards who just wanted to put Duterte in a bad light. I haven't seen anyone as dumb and blind as these smart Alecks are.

As per bible instructions, I support Philippine presidents, even Duterte, but NOT their bad policies. Peter and the apostles said they'd rather obey God than the authorities when the latter were wrong. And while Paul urged believers to submit to the authorities, he nonetheless kept preaching the Gospel even if it was forbidden to do so. It's balanced with common sense.

Don't Criticize?

Some who imagine themselves spiritual always tell you never to criticize. "Just pray for it," they say, "God is in control." They're another kind of diplomats who are as lost as puppet diplomats. They even demonize criticism and quote verses on submitting to the authorities. Well, Jesus criticized the religious order of his time, calling the Pharisees hypocrites and brood of vipers.

The prophets of Israel in the Old Testament were so critical of the existing government when it was wrong. They never kept mum and just prayed for it. But neither were they political. They remained being representatives of God's Kingdom. They criticized what was wrong and went against misleading policies.

In Daily Life

And yup, that self-serving diplomacy is alive in daily life, too. Some folks offer to be your "diplomat" or "ambassador of goodwill" but actually sell you to the enemy. They're supposed to protect you but do nothing except tell you how to please your oppressors and go along with them, pretending that all they want is your peace of mind. Others are just mindless diplomats merely chanting "peace" regardless of the issue. They think that is spiritual.

Sometimes, no matter how spiritual or prayerful you seem to be, peace is not possible until you root out the the wrong. Jehu said, "How can there be peace as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?" So God anointed him to destroy the house of Ahab and Jezebel. God didn't say just pray for it. Somebody had to uproot it. And mind you, God never changes.

The Crave for Identifying with Power or Popularity

When a showbiz icon or high public official is seen in public, people flock to them like crazy to have their selfie. They love identifying with power or popularity. Nope, not just love--they crave for it. Then they post the selfie on FB. Tacitly, it says, "Look, I'm big-time now!" Yup, it's a craving to be seen as "big-time."  [Image above from Jan Strecha, Unsplash].

Selfie with big-times creates an impression of intimacy or some special kind of relationship with them. People feel connected to the power or popularity and that's supposed to add to their personal credentials or profile. Sometimes it becomes a dire need because these folks crave for recognition and power. They need to be seen in company with big-time people.

Power or popularity connections mean power and popularity for you. You're one level higher than those who don't have that privileged connection. So you need to brag about it to make the unprivileged shrink in envy. It's some kind of achievement that lifts you on a pedestal. Stupid, isn't it?

And meaningless.

Well, if you're not a nonjoiner (a non nonjoiner), it would mean the world to be identified with big shots. But genuine nonjoiners see only emptiness in all that. So what if you're with someone powerful or popular? Doesn't mean a thing. Joiners would frantically crowd around popular guys, screaming like crazy and delirious with excitement. Nonjoiners would simply glance and leave.

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What joiners especially love is the popular guy treating them as acquaintance, with a touch of familiarity, like he or she really knows them. A special smile or tap or handshake thrills them to the bone, deluded with the thought that the popular guy really cares. They forget that it's all publicity, and they were merely used.

What really sucks is when church pastors and leaders do it. They love to be seen with public officials or politicians--or the police or army--sometimes with showbiz people, the rich and famous, the moneyed and powerful and anyone high up there in society. Jesus never did anything like that. The Pharisees did. And often, you see church folks pictured with the poor only when they want to promote their ministries--and then beg for donations.

They crave to be seen meeting with top politicians, doing things with them, praying for them or leading opening prayers for their ceremonies. They brag about having bible studies with cops or soldiers and post pictures of it. They love to hang around anything or anyone identified with power and authority.

When church folks crave to be identified with the rich and influential in the world, it only means they haven't really tasted genuine Kingdom power and authority yet. I can't imagine Jesus doing the same. Hanging around politicians to gain favors? Instead, it was obvious he disdained any hint of power or authority from the world. Fact, when he knew people were about to make him king, he withdrew and left them.

People also brag about traveling the world. Nothing bad about it, except when you look down on people who haven't traveled yet. Or becoming conceited with your travel achievements. Again, it sucks to see Christians aching to be in the US and going there by hook or by crook. Then they make a lot of fuss about it. One pastor told me the free medical benefits of going to Canada and how I forfeit myself and my family of them if I don't go there. "What if you get terribly ill?" he asked, worrying for me.

Excuse me, but don't you believe in God's almighty power anymore? You'd rather believe in Canada?

When you have been to God's secret chambers in his Kingdom and spent considerable deep moments there alone with Him, you lose appetite for anything the world offers--popularity, influence, travel, the like. You see only emptiness in what most people value in this world, even church people. You see that what matters only in life is to see His glory ever-increasingly.

Why Not a Followership Conference?

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It's always a leadership conference or seminar. I've attended many of them and I wasn't really that impressed. Can you imagine a gathering of bosses? The very reason why we take vacations--as far away from office as possible--is because we want time off from our bosses. And then you attend a leadership seminar where everyone wants to be boss?

Organize a good followers' conference and I might be among the first to signup. I'd probably learn more there than in leadership seminars. After all, smart guys have said that good leaders are good followers. Not that I dream to lead. But I'm sure I can get more out of lessons on following. Unfortunately, there aren't many good materials on it. Are there? Here's how to be liked by most people. Click here.

Because they're all after leadership. And I'm a nonjoiner.

Did Jesus talk on leadership? All I can remember are his words about "Come follow me." Or, "If anyone comes after me." Umm, okay, he did talk on leadership, like the parable of the unjust and the faithful stewards, though they're more on stewardship. He certainly proved the model of a good leader and we can get lots of powerful principles on leadership from that. But teachings on how we can become boss and lead others? I think he focused on followership. Discipleship, to be exact.

According to MyEmail.ConstantContact.com, followership "is defined as the willingness to cooperate in working toward the accomplishment of defined goals while demonstrating a high degree of interactive teamwork. Effective followers are active participants (partners) in creating the leadership process."

See how important it is? It creates "the leadership process." So how come there are not many followership conferences or seminars? Not even in church. I bet if you try to do a followership conference and charge a fee as high as what they charge in leadership conferences, not many will go. Because they do not have the imagination. They all want to ride the leadership bandwagon.

They're all joiners. Joiners are often robots. They don't have imagination.

They all have this grandiose self-image of being great. But try to imagine if all of us were leaders--yeah, even great leaders at that. How can you be great without followers? And that's what we'd all be--leaders without a following. And I assure you, nothing will move on this planet with all of us being leaders. Followers are more important.

A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing. [Proverbs 14.28]

What to tackle in a followership conference? How to obey instructions or follow rules and regulations is a good start. And the important thing is to make people see that following instructions or rules as a habit is a MUST to success, not necessarily to leadership. Most people think that the way to success is beating others in the contest or proving yourself better than others. Why this mindset? Because there are no good followership conferences.

Few people really believe (and apply it in their daily lives) that humility, cooperation and obedience are paths to real success and greatness. They pursue their college degrees, pursue masters and doctorates--not to cooperate and follow a leader--but to become instant leaders and start ordering people around. To them, that is success.

Thus, if you grow old and die just being a follower all your life, they pity you and say you'd been a loser, or you just wasted your time. They never realize that they're in position now because some people decided to follow them and put them in position, not grab it from them or compete with them. To me, that's greatness.

I've met people who should've been in leadership but never bothered because they were happy being followers. But they solved all the problems of their leaders, did all the dirty jobs for them. Who got the glory? Their bosses. And them? They're just happy to live quiet lives away from the limelight. I salute these people. To me they're great. They're bosses? I have other ideas about them.

It's also a problem if you decide to skip followership phase and jump to being boss or owner of your own business. If you're not a good follower you will never be a good leader. I've met people in high position, or owner of businesses, who stink when it comes to how they treat people. You may even see them speaking on stage in a leadership conference and people applauding their wisdom on leadership, but in person they fail terribly in human relations. Yup, it happens.

Why?

Because they never went through the process and rudiments of followership. And why this? Because all organizers do are leadership conferences. The church is guilty, too. I mean, I've seen churches where almost everyone is a pastor, assistant pastor, associate pastor, youth pastor or something. They're all pastors. No one wants to follow. Even the church board wants to lead the pastor. So they quarrel.

If they see how you're able to speak or teach, they make you a pastor. If you just showoff some leadership potential, they declare you a pastor. Pastors should have undergone the Jesus discipleship before they become pastors. The apostles went through the Jesus discipleship process--they assisted Jesus, ran errands for him, were scolded by him, taught by him, faced dangers, healed the sick, cast out demons, and most of all--they gave up everything as Jesus also did.

As Paul said, all his accomplishments and potentials he treated as garbage "that I may gain Christ." That's the spirit of true followership. The apostles learned radical obedience from a discipler, not from a bible school or seminary professor or in Sunday school. Followership is deeply relational. You learn hands-on from the very hands of the guy you follow as you both do the actual hard work out there in the field.

Second, most people are lost as to who to follow. Who deserves our followership? In a followership conference, we should be taught how to discern real leaders. Many voters are tricked into voting wrong candidates because they don't know who to follow. Why? No followership conference. They're oriented to think that whoever has the gold deserves their followership.

So you see, we really need a followership conference today.

Zombie Senatorial Supporters

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I've seen people come and go in politics for what--probably 100 years? That's how it feels, not because I'm very old (I'm just past 50 something and feeling 19 physically with my martial arts training) but because it feels so frustrating when the candidates you thought would make a difference end up rotten.

So you wait for the next election again to put the right people in power. And the next election. And the next. And so on. It's been like that since I was 18. You think you finally found the right candidates, vote for them, and then later see how they embezzle funds or get involved in shady deals to enrich themselves. All of them. No wonder it feels like it's been 100 years.

Well, there were exceptions, of course. Like Senator Jovy Salonga and, well...Senator Jovy Salonga. Okay, there's also Senator Juan Flavier and I think Senator Rene Cayetano was okay. What do you think? I hope there are more, even from Congress and the mayoralty. But with the kind of corruption you hear in the news everyday each year, hoping shrinks down to wishful thinking and then despair--then extreme cynicism. Because it seems like nothing's going to change in the near future. Change still isn't coming.

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So I learned never to expect anything from any politician. And never to support anyone like a die-hard fan. I support every elected official of the land no matter who it is, but I do only what's expected of a citizen. I won't be an apologist for any erring politician.

Yeah, I have my list of senatoriables to vote for, but it's more kinda like picking the lesser evils than choosing the most promising. Yeah, I know there are good ones (or tolerable ones), but to me, there is no such thing as most promising in politics. Politics so corrupts, and at times I can't seem to make any exceptions anymore. Yup, they're all the same. I vote just to do my obligation as a citizen.

Even those who support candidates. I can't believe what monster they turn into when election campaign is here. I mean, just look at their posts on FB and their comments. They're such nice folks before campaign period and I could even make funny comments about their posts. But this campaign period, I can't believe what I'm seeing. They easily turn raving mad or rabid if you comment something negative about their senatorial bets--like Dr. Bruce Banner turning into the mean and green Hulk.

Just even whisper an incidental comment against their favorite candidate and they come at you from all directions like wild ravenous zombies devouring your very person. Like you committed something heinous or a mortal sin. I can't believe people can be so dead serious fighting for politicians who care nothing for them.

That's the problem when you take sides in politics. You turn into a zombie. You do everything to make your senatorial bet look good and defend even the lies he or she says. You cover up the blunders they do. You've seen a zombie movie, of course. Zombies do anything for flesh, right or wrong. Mostly it's wrong. You bite, whatever it takes, whatever happens.

And what do you get in return? NOTHING. Your senatoriable cares nothing for you. I understand those who get paid to support and campaign for candidates. At least they're smart, though I don't recommend people going down to that level. What I cannot fathom is the idea of martyring yourself for a politician and earning enemies and breaking friendships for that.

How can you be that naive for a politician? I mean, A POLITICIAN!

But people refuse to be die-hards for Jesus. They think the idea too grotesque or freaky but then they go all-out for politicians. Odd. I mean, why give all-out to extremely undependable politicians? Even to crooks? Jesus, I found, is our only hope. He never lies. These times before he comes back are "campaign" periods for his rule and reign in the offing. He will establish his own unique government to kick out fake ones which have been misleading us.

I pray for guidance, pick names to make my list. I pray for them and other candidates. I'm ready to vote in May. But I won't fight for any candidate or defend them or campaign for them. I won't bash campaigns of candidates I don't like. I won't join the heckling, jeering, cursing, mudslinging and character assassination or demolition they do in dirty politics. Why do this for politicians and then go to hell for it? Not worth it.

I enjoy those who make funny campaign posts that criticize in good taste. I love smart and clean satire. But not mean ones that malign and destroy reputation and dignity. I hope we can all just enjoy our electoral rights in the Constitution and not just behave like zombies looking for someone to devour.

What Jim Did

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I didn't see it, but among the hottest issues today is the selfie video of Jim Paredes which was said to be shocking, necessitating even his public apology to somehow assuage the repercussions. But it's been made public and some people say the apology is already too late. Well, no apology is too late, except when made on Judgment Day.

And no public apology would be needed if the video hadn't been uploaded by some crooked spy for public consumption. Right?

The apology is actually a wise decision, if it's sincere. And if so, then it'd mean he'd stop criticizing the president--or anybody else for that matter--realizing that no one is perfect. If you're a believer that nobody's perfect, you'd stop criticizing people. Well, analyze or challenge events or ideas or principles objectively, perhaps, but no more demolition works. No more personal criticism. We all have this natural urge to critique because God designed us as rational creatures. But we should do it objectively and not just personally assail someone.

I used to like Jim Paredes a lot as a teenager, even in college, because a lot of his compositions were my favorite songs. But I didn't like his "Look at me!" act at the EDSA Shrine to humiliate some protesters disrupting their assembly there and that changed everything. I didn't hate him because of that--I just changed my mind about liking him. I shook my head, thinking, "sayang."

And that's how politics affects people. Once gentle, likable and fun-loving folks become rabid and vexatious, turning into something else. I suspect that Dr. Bruce Banner was really metamorphosed by politics, not gamma rays.

Okay, so he did something stupid. Don't we all? I did a lot of stupid stuff before and have apologized for them. The only difference is, I wasn't a public figure. Jim is. He should've known that as a public figure, someone is apt to always go after your downfall. But he still has a chance to recover if he does things right this time--foremost of which is to stop being critical of specific persons, including Duterte. By the way, I'm no avid fan of Duterte. Just for the record.

Well, there are lots of times we couldn't help but note what the president says or does, especially if you're not an avid fan and you're after truth objectively. You may criticize, not to put down anyone, but to express your views for the greater good, careful not to merely malign anyone. It's okay to criticize, and I hope Duterte die-hard fans would understand.

Now, here's the main thing about Jim's story. We shouldn't do him further damage especially when the guy has apologized in public. Let the issue rest. We're all stupid in many ways. As the bible says, all have sinned--and even a lot of the faithful in church still sin, though secretly. And God treats all sin alike. In God's eyes, telling a "white" lie or keeping grudges or hatred against someone is as bad as an obscene video--yeah, even as bad as committing a heinous crime. We should learn to forgive and let go. God will have mercy on those who are merciful to their fellow.

And God makes sure that one day, you too will be caught unaware with your stupidity and exposed to public shame--if you don't quit and don't forgive others who have similarly sinned but have apologized. Mark my word. God makes sure that everything is put in a balance. I'm sure Jim has learned this lesson well.

Why China Treats Us This Way

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First, it occupied territories in the West Philippine Sea belonging to us. Second, it landed military planes on Philippine soil without permission. Third, it granted hefty loans to us for big projects but sends it's workers to work on the projects, and with higher pays than our locals. Fourth, it now allows hundreds of its "fishing vessels" to surround Pag-asa island just off Palawan.

Why this treatment?

Well, it's due to the debt trap. It's nothing new. You plunge yourself deeper in debts, the more they treat you as slaves. Debtor countries can never make demands. They're always at the losing end of the negotiating table, begging than brokering. And we've been like that to our international creditors ever since.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. [Proverbs 22.7]

Of course, it's different with debtor super power countries like the US which can show off military muscles even with its huge debts. Accordingly, as of January 2019, the US owes China some 1.13 trillion dollars, said The Balance in its US Debt to China article (www.thebalance.com). And yet you see the US defying demands by China at the South China Sea.

By the way, this US debt to China should alarm the Philippines about relying on the US to save us in case we go to war with China. Why? Well, Proverbs 22.7. Debtors are slaves to creditors. Moreover, beware of China's move to strengthen the yuan by increasing exports to Asian countries to untie its economy from the US. No wonder it wants more trade relations with us. Once the yuan becomes stronger than the US dollar, watch how China would become more aggressive in the West Philippine sea unchallenged anymore by super powers.

Anyway, we've been treated this way by all our super power "friends" due to our international standing. Creditor countries and international institutions like the World Bank and IMF keep us deeply indebted so they can treat us this way. Even in small ways. Like once in Tagaytay, we stayed in this resort we later learned to be Korean owned. Filipino staff and employees there were not treated well and even Filipino guests were banned from entering areas they made exclusive for Koreans. And how many times have US servicemen treated natives in Zambales as wild boars? And I remember the time when we were not allowed entry in some parts of Subic and Clark when the US bases were still there.

A lot of incidents have happened where foreign nationals treated us like garbage right here in our own country. And why not? Some of our own fellow Filipinos treat us the same way when it's a choice between foreigners and their fellow Filipinos. Yup, we have prejudice against one another. Even the government sometimes shun our rights in favor of foreign envoys visiting the country. Remember the times when squatters were kept out of sight when our international creditors paid us a visit?

In history, it was a Filipino who led American soldiers to a more advantageous spot against Filipino soldiers led by General Gregorio Del Pilar, and which led to his death. Filipino soldiers later betrayed President Emilio Aguinaldo to their enemies. And remember the "makapili" who betrayed local guerrilla heroes to the Japanese in World War II?

Perhaps, this was also why they betrayed the Supremo of the Katipunan--looking down on their fellow Filipinos, especially those not of the elite and the landed class. And look at how even the Filipino-Chinese community here treats Filipinos. They often look down on us. Up to this moment, a lot of Filipino-Chinese families won't allow intermarriage with pure Filipinos.

But don't get me wrong. I've met some foreigners and Filipino-Chinese who have genuine respect for us, but they're few and far between. These are broad-minded individuals who see through the Filipino as a person, understanding what things he's been through in history. They see that his patience and politeness are results of how he's been treated by his conquerors in the past and how politicians in his own country have robbed him of everything, at the same time making him see how he's indebted for the small pittance he gets from them.

So, for centuries, this has been the image given him locally and internationally--given to him by his oppressors and abusers. China never invaded us--in fact, we have always had trade relations with them, we all know this for a fact. And like us, it's also been oppressed by foreign nations. But lately, this sleeping giant woke up and assumed power in these parts, and like any other, it began to see us through the arrogant eyes of a super power. It's like how a Filipino domestic helper is treated by most employers in other countries who see us as slaves. It's because of our given image.

Right now, China sees us through the eyes of the US, UK, Japan and South Korea. They seem to grant us favors but these are all in exchange for something we will be deeply indebted for, aside from strengthening our slave image. Don't think even once that one of them wants to help us benevolently. Their helps come always with strings attached.

Can we still change this slave image of ours? We can, if we really unite for this cause. Problem is, we probably won't because we have been programmed for centuries to think parochially and remain disunited. Only Christ's Second Coming will save us from all this. So yeah---there's still big hope for us Filipinos. If we surrender our present and future to HIM.

Christine Silawan

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That early morning she was tasked with gathering the collection at her church. It was probably a cool, lovely day and she didn't have a clue what would happen to her in the next few hours after church--that she'd be dead any moment. Or did she? Did she have some premonition that a few hours then she'd see her last? This is why you should always be ready for anything.

About a few moments after church she was missing. Then she was found murdered, part of her face skinned off, exposing her skull, and her tongue, throat, trachea and esophagus likewise missing. Why would any murderer want to do all that instead of just plain kill her? Or, why would anyone want to kill her, for that matter?

Doesn't make sense, even if the killer was enraged to the max--except if he was on drugs--which makes it ten times more senseless. Being on illegal drugs is stupid, I don't know why anyone would do it, or even think of doing it. It can never be an excuse or justification for wasting life away. They say drug addicts on a rampage are just "victims" themselves who lose control when under the ill effects of drugs. Some say they're patients. These stupid remarks only make the heinous offense worse.

How can murderers be victims? Do they understand what they're saying? I murder a guy in a diabolical way and I'm the victim? Patients? I murder someone mercilessly all because I'm sick? Say, a terminal cancer patient murders an innocent kid out of desperation and he goes scot-free just because he's sick? That's justice today?

The poor victim was just 16, said to be a nice girl. I can just imagine how her parents feel. Imagine raising her up from infancy to adolescence, all those years of love and sacrifice, watching her growing up and listening to her dreams, ambitions and stories, hearing her laughter and excited giggles--then that promising, young life is suddenly and violently ended by some worthless guy who got himself hooked in some drug.

I don't know how the Commission on Human Rights can still look after the "rights" of the heinous murderer and simply "denounce" his gruesome act as something unfortunate. That's it? As if denouncing murderers would make them suffer bad enough. Criminals like that have no right. But the CHR can never see things in that light. It insists on protecting crooks' "rights" alone, whatever that means. It says it's limited to watching how government handles people's rights. Then it should be renamed Watchdog of Government's Atrocities to avoid misunderstanding.

And what does it want law enforcers to do? Watch themselves shot to death when crooks decide to grab a gun and shoot it out? Is that how they want rights protected?

Anyone who unreasonably violates someone else's right has forfeited himself of his rights. That's how it should work. If he ends up dead in an alleged "shootout" with  the police (whether it's true or not), or whatever, he just reaped what he's sown. Forget about his rights. Rights are for the right-minded, who know they should do right.

God does not respect the rights of offenders. The wages of sin is death. No ifs or buts. That's how he dispenses justice. And even if the offender sincerely repents, God often allows the natural consequences to affect him. Grace saves you from hell if you repent and surrender, but not from the results. Mercy can, but only if grace allows it to. And grace saves you only if you live according to its terms.

God does not postpone or relent from sending sinners to hell because of their "rights." If you really repent, he dismisses your case, but only if you fully surrender to him. And even then, there's no guarantee the consequences of what you did wouldn't come back to you anymore. God has the prerogative to delete the consequences or let it be. He has reasons.

But then they'd say, that's God. We're not God, so we cannot do as he does. Well, the bible says imitate God. It's his standard of justice, and should be ours, too. We cannot make our own justice standards. That would be rebellion against him. He alone sets the standards of justice.

You cannot honestly say Christine's rights are equal to her murderer's. The killer violated her right and then gets his right well secured and protected by CHR. Doesn't makes sense. CHR was not there to protect her right while the crime was in progress, in the first place. It shouldn't interfere when payback time comes, in whatever form.

It's all so stupid.

Mindset Virus that Makes you Rabid

Element5 Digital

I Though I knew But I Didn't

My dad told me never to support all-out any election candidate. Just vote wisely and that's it, he stressed. I was fresh out from college then and actively among street marchers protesting against Marcos, and later the US Bases. I reasoned and told him, I wasn't being a candidate fan. I was just after important national issues. I was young, naive and idealistic.

Well, later I discovered his wisdom in keeping away from politics. After all, he wasn't a nationally acclaimed veteran journalist for nothing. He was editor-in-chief of The Philippines Herald in pre-martial law years, a majoy daily that government, politicians and big businesses reckoned with, and later consultant at the national and foreign information of the defunct Ministry of Information. He knew. Nothing's worth marching for in the streets. You risk your life for what? It's important to know the issues and know where you stand--love your country--but fighting for "heroes" and "issues" in the streets will just benefit some unscrupulous politician in the end. They're all the same.

Dad Knew

His life principle was keep improving yourself intellectually and help people. Period. Later, when he devoted time to reading the bible, he developed a relationship with Jesus, believing nothing except GOD's Word. When we talked, I saw his new life principle--it's GOD's Word or nothing. He read current events (journalism was in his blood) to keep updated but his main conncern was what GOD said in the bible.

Anyway, dad had been telling me: You risk your neck out there so that later, when the dust clears, some unworthy politician takes his seat in Malacanang or in Congress to enrich himself in office. "They're all the same," my dad warned me. I only regret it took me years doing stupid things before I learned he was right. Well, better that than nothing. Yup, politics has an unseen virus that makes all politicians of the same spirit in the end, and affects their avid fans as well. Well, especially them. So DON'T be an avid fan of any "hero" politician. Dad knew well what he was talking about, after many, many decades of covering politicians and officials and interviewing them as a news reporter and later as a head editor of a major daily, even being friends with them (but not allies).