Rage

It is gravely alarming and disheartening how so many Filipinos are disregarding evidence and facts just to confirm their bias. The rampant historical revisionism that perpetrates the national consciousness (or lack thereof) makes me wonder – How did we come to this? What went so terribly, terribly wrong? 

Even while away from the country for a week, I dreaded reading up on the news. Before we departed and right after we arrived, the vitriol and the cult mentality that had gotten so deeply entrenched were too much to handle. I couldn't even get myself post too much of my travel. Because what is my moment of leisure compared to the deep wounds that my country is inflicting on herself? The latter deserves the attention more.

Is anti-intellectualism the root of this? Is the general public too indignant and too resentful of the "educated few," that, in their version of reality, facts and logic do not matter? What matters are just their emotions–their frustrations and anger at the broken promises of bygone eras–that they are refusing to see reason? Can we never go beyond personality politics? Are our leaders so thick and garapal that they don't care about the havoc they are causing just to pursue their self-serving agendas? 

I can't help but feel the remorse from the wasted generation of bright and patriotic youth who would have been our leaders today, but were killed during one of the darkest periods of the country's history. The very same dark period that this cult, this mob, is hailing as a golden era. This divisiveness masking as hyper-nationalism is setting us 30 years backwards.

I don't know the answers. But I join the movement in decrying the treason and crimes perpetrated in the past and here, now, in the present. I am hopeful for our youth who are adding their voice to the calls for justice. 

There is a thin line between alienating the masses, and helping them understand differently from their firmly-held bias. The powers that be now want us to shut up, move on, forget, and let things be. But we must power through–patiently, angrily, creatively, collectively. This country's got no one but us. And we got no other country but this one, either. 

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. (x)