This.
Nothing like a visual of a hapless, bedraggled election worker, Emmy (Marian Rivera)to encapsulate the Filipino electorate. Nothing like a well-made indie movie to hold up a mirror to emphasize the sorry state of politics in the Philippines.
But then again, we already knew that.
Corrupt politicians playing the victim, getting rich off taxpayers’ hard-earned money, and of course, accumulating more than enough to pay off goons and keep this vicious cycle going, is just another day in the life of an ordinary Filipino voter.
Image: IMDB/Balota
There are two mayoral candidates fighting for the coveted position in Teacher Emmy’s home town and boy do they look a lot like our traditional politicians (trapos for short (which also means “rags”).
Incumbent mayor Hidalgo (Juana Change) has enriched herself and her family by holding on tightly to her position, amassing wealth through several businesses and the exploitation of workers.
On the other hand, challenger Edraline (Gardo Versoza) comes with a platform of change, but not without his own baggage, as a former adult film star. And while that does not disqualify, the few conversations he has with Emmy is revealing. When asked about his plan for the city, he gets defensive.
He also said that failure of elections doesn’t matter. What matters is strong men that will make drastic changes – which sounds chillingly familiar at this point in history.
Image: IMDB/Balota
Edralineis a caricature, a potential product of desperation for drastic change. And when an electorate acts out of desperation, as with most things, it rarely ever ends well.
In the current landscape, personalities unfortunately became the star of the show, not platforms. Unapologetic, brash narcissists that come with a whole lot of hubris and a shady set of friends. But… isn’t this the one-note character we’ve been electing into office in recent years?
Image: IMDB/Balota
Teacher Emmy is all of us. Regular citizens trying to get by, with most of us barely making it… in stark contrast to a number of public officials who live like kings. And act like kings instead of public servants.
And why?
Too much power in the hands of morally bankrupt, self-serving dynasties.
Image: IMDB/Balota
And every election, we continue to elect the same corrupt, incompetent officials from name recall, and maybe vote-buying favors.
Sometimes it seems that voters don’t have a choice between a rock and a hard place. Between violent strongmen and well-entrenched oligarchs. Between corrupt yet experienced officials and insultingly unqualified candidates – some armed with good intentions and some… who aren’t.
Image: IMDB/Balota
So why still be involved in our nation’s messy politics? Isn’t it an exercise in futility? The corrupt continue their crimes with impunity, with supporters that defend them for different reasons. Sometimes it seems hopeless.
Psalm 94:3 The Message
“GOD, the wicked get away with murder— how long will you let this go on? They brag and boast and crow about their crimes!”
Image: IMDB/Balota
But, news flash. There will be an end to power.
There is an end to kingdoms built by man.
Even when you see your own country’s citizens seemingly burning your country and its values into the ground with glee. So until when do we make a deliberate effort to fight for our country’s future?
Emmy: “Hangga’t hindi nagwawagi ang taumbayan. Tayo ay boboto. Boboto tayo ng kandidatong tama dahil ito ang kailangan.”
(Emmy: Until the people aren’t winning. We will vote. We will vote the right candidate because this is what is needed.)
If you’re from the Philippines, please make good choices this May. And even if you did all you can to elect the best leaders and the results didn’t turn out the way you want to, remember that God still has a plan, much bigger than all that we can do. Psalm 94 continues with this:
Psalm 94:14-15 The Message
“God will never walk away from his people, never desert his precious people.
Rest assured that justice is on its way and every good heart put right.”
Image: IMDB/Balota
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