NOTES
Marvin P. Bionat

7 June 1998

REFLECTIONS ON THE PHILIPPINE CENTENNIAL

The following are some sobering quote-for-quote reflections on the occasion of the Philippine Centennial.

Before: “The youth are the hope of the fatherland.” National hero Jose Rizal
Today: “50,000 Filipino children are prostitutes--UNICEF” Newspaper headline

Before: “Sir, I say to all those who denounce the Filipinos indiscriminately as barbarians and savages, without the possibility of a civilized future, that this despised race proved itself entitled to the respect of mankind when it furnished to the world the character of Jose Rizal. Search the long and bloody roll of the world’s martyred dead, and whereon, on what soil, under what sky did tyranny ever claim a nobler victim? Sir, the future is not without hope for a people which, from the midst of such an environment, has furnished the world a character so lofty and so pure as that of Jose Rizal.” U.S. Senator Cooper after reading Rizal’s My Last Farewell (a poem Rizal wrote just before his execution by the Spaniards)
Today: “The Philippines is a weird country ... I think fathers eat their daughters there.” Radio talk show host Howard Stern, America’s self-proclaimed King of All Media (recently, the subject of a death threat)

Before: “It is necessary for all towns to rise simultaneously and attack Manila at the same time. Anybody who obstructs this sacred ideal of the people will be considered a traitor and an enemy ...” Katipunan founder Andres Bonifacio on a planned offensive against Spanish forces
Today: “All vehicles heading towards Manila from the Paranaque, Las Pinas, Muntinglupa, and Alabang areas are now being obstructed by a major traffic snarl caused by an overturned truck near the corner of EDSA and Senator Gil Puyat Avenue.” A DZMM traffic reporter

Before: “I had no assurance that I could capture Aguinaldo and his men. They could find refuge in the mountains ...” Spanish Governor General Primo de Rivera
Today: “There is a fantastic amount to be done, little has been done, and it is too late already.” Environmentalist William Oliver, commenting on the country’s denuded, rebel-unfriendly mountains

Before: “The danger exists only in your minds.” Spanish Governor Blanco, assuring friars worried about rebels
Today: “ABB disarm and tie Metro Manila cop to a post” Newspaper headline about a daring Alex Boncayao Brigade operation conducted in broad daylight

Before: “Why is President McKinley’s mind like a bed? Because it has to be made up for him before he can use it.” Popular joke about the U.S. president under whose watch the Philippines was acquired by America
Today: “Erap has no mind-set to change because he has no mind-set to begin with.” Reportedly quipped by a close Erap acquaintance

Before: “War! War is what we want!” General Emilio Aguinaldo, blustering after being miffed by American negotiators
Today: “The next president will never ever hear a word from me.” Manoling Morato, arguably the country’s most garrulous verbal warrior, declaring his peace (for now)

Before: “Only resort to violent methods as a last resort ...” Jose Rizal
Today: “Bakbakan na kung bakbakan!” President-elect Erap Estrada, declaring war against potentially recalcitrant members of Congress

Comments?

mbionat@post.harvard.edu