Politics: More fun in the Philippines

Any observer of the Philippine political scene might, unfortunately, come to the conclusion that Filipinos are sarcastic and humorless. This is especially true if we limit our source of political information to our politicians and, worse, to the radio commentators who are able to equate traffic in EDSA with the economic policies of the nation.

We have all those pontificators on television masquerading as newscasters who have decided they are endowed with the ability to analyze and propose solutions for social change and economic inclusive growth... But the typical Filipino is world famous for their smile and sense of humor.

Political satire needs to be introduced as part of the political discourse in this country. Not the kind we hear on radio and television where sarcasm and attack sound bites are mistaken as political humor. 

Juan Tamad is the character symbolizing political satire in this country. In the United States, the best political satirist was Jon Stewart on Comedy Central. From time to time, Steven Colbert displayed the same type of humor.

Satire is defined as irony or caustic wit used to expose folly, vice or stupidity. When this is used in gaining entertainment from politics, it becomes political satire. By its very nature, it rarely offers a constructive view in itself when it is used as part of a protest or dissent. It tends to simply establish the error of matters rather than provide solutions.

Suggestions for political satire

In the Philippines, the only tidbits of satire I have read all originated on social media. Recently, I received one exceptionally funny blog through social media. The title is “Bongbong Tries to Explain VP Run to Mom” by Rene Ciria-Cruz. I have never met the author nor do I know whether this is his real name or just a pseudonym.

The satire is an imaginary conversation between a mother and a son who decides to run for vice president even though the mother wants him to run for president. It is several paragraphs long. Here is just one paragraph of the mother speaking:

“Are my words worth anything? Do you ever listen to your mother? How many times have I told you children when you draw a circle, which is your mother’s face and you draw another circle that intersects with the first in the middle, you have a whole heart, equals Happiness.”

The last segment is a classic in Filipino humor. The son explains to the mother his personal strategy for becoming a president by becoming the vice-president first. I will not quote that portion here. I am not a lawyer so I am not taking any chance with me or my editor being sued for libel.

Mr. Rene Ciria-Cruz, whoever you are, please continue with your satire. May I suggest a few possible topics.

The disqualification fever regarding the eligibility of Grace Poe has spawned a lot of civilians discussing the finer points of the Constitution including the definition of “natural born. I even heard one person ask, semi humorously, if the foundling was not born caesarean, does that qualify her to be natural born. So, what are the many different meanings of “natural born”? Surely this is a topic that can generate entertainment without anyone necessarily taking sides.

The other interesting topic is the various attempts of the supporters of Duterte to convince him to run for president. Of course, the Mayor has kept the issue by stating his intentions in different ways with different interpretations. Supporters have shaved their heads as one way of trying to convince him to run. Perhaps, an Oblation run may be more effective. If you do not know what I am talking about, please ask any UP student or member of the APO fraternity about this annual ritual. Maybe, Mr. Cruz can suggest other more creative and more convincing ways.

When I once witnessed the Leftist Pretenders in the Congress walk out of a P-Noy’s SONA address, I noticed they pranced out in identical pinkish barongs and ternos. My first question was – why pink? Is that now the color of revolution? And if they were true revolutionaries, why were they in formal clothes and not fighting in the mountains or, at the very least, joining strikes or the urban poor fighting against demolition? But I remember a definition of a politician pretending to be a leftist: “One who is willing to do anything on earth for the workers except become one.” Mr. Cruz, I suggest that the antics of the Leftist Pretenders, a rich lode of satire.

Worldwide political satire

Filipinos should not be surprised that frustration with politicians is worldwide and has existed throughout history. This is the source of rich political humor. Here are a few of my favorites:

“Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even when there is no river.” Nikita Khrushchev

“He knows nothing; he thinks he knows everything – that clearly points to a political career.” George Bernard Shaw

“Congress is so strange. A man gets up to speak and says nothing. Nobody listens then everybody disagrees.” Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

“All I know is I’m not a Marxist.” Karl Marx

Politics has become such a part of our daily lives. If we truly want to tell the world that ”it’s more fun in the Philippines,” we need to introduce humor and satire in Philippine politics.

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Writing class for kids and teens

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The Personal Essay with Paulynn Paredes Sicam on November 21, 2015 (1:30-5:30 pm) at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. Paulynn Paredes Sicam is a journalist and editor.  She writes a weekly column for the Philippine STAR. 

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