Unlike Middle Earth

(Notes intended to be published 6 October 2016.)

Like Middle Earth and Encantadia, October has come to LABELandia Philippines (PI).  PI is an archipelago where loyalists, yellowtards, yellow zombies, trolls and other political creatures live in disunity and constant bashing. These creatures originated from a race with brown complexion and a flat nose improved not by surgery but by intermarriages with the Caucasian race. 

Yes, these people are the Southeast Asian Indios or Pinoys from the Philippines or Philippine Islands.  Why termed the country LABELandia? Well, many Pinoys experience transformation (metamorphosis in science) when they directly or indirectly involve themselves in politics.  Their behaviors range from the normal to the extreme (even supernatural or cosmic).  A Pinoy could even become GOD The Father, Christ or lucifer when filing his candidacy.

By nature, Pinoys are very loyal.  With a simple act of generosity, a Pinoy could return the favor via lifetime of support (repayment of personal debt or "utang na loob" in the vernacular).  He becomes selfless by offering his services and meager resources to another person.  With such virtue (or eventual weakness), the Pinoy has been used, abused and exploited  by these political monsters, er politicians.

Due to extreme loyalty and being blindsided as a result, many Pinoys lose their sense of right or wrong.  Sadly, in a political issue, they choose to side with the politician who they support.  Instead of choosing the position which benefits the nation, their biases override their decisions and lead them to  side with the politicians they like.  (Politics of Personalities than Issues).  This decision making process is NOT a result of stupidity rather of being stubborn.

In every political issue, Pinoys have become polarized.  Depending on the politician being supported, their individual views have been made narrow by adopting a pro or anti stance. Thus, if you do not AGREE with them (politician and his minions ,er, supporters), then you are AGAINST them. Worse, this mentality has not been maintained at the ISSUES level but elevated to a PERSONAL one.

At this level, bashing and bullying cases start.   Proofs of such cases can be seen in various comments of social media posts made recently.  Many lack the maturity to accept the stand of another individual.  Imagine, relationships (family and friends) have been strained by the recent elections and current political issues.

For the unfamiliar about the diversity of political opinions in PI, below are the main labels attached to the politicized Pinoys.  Of course, there are independent-minded Pinoys and those who dread to be associated with the labels below.

During the EDSA1 revolution and forward, those who support the deposed dictator are referred to as Marcos Loyalists.  Most of these Pinoys have extended their support to the late President's son Bongbong Marcos during the 2016 Vice-Presidential elections.  From the Loyalists, Pinoys who collaborated with the late President Cory Aquino were termed "Balimbings".

In the Snap Elections of 1980s, supporters of widow-in-yellow who became the first woman Philippine President came into existence.  The "Coryists" (coined after the endearing address of President Corazon 'Cory' Aquino) would likewise extend their support to her son President Noynoy Aquino.  With social media, the previous President's supporters earned such nasty labels Yellowtards (short form of Yellow Retards) and/or Yellow Zombies.  The color yellow referring to the signature colors of both mother and son Aquino Presidents.  

Proving that surprises (even miracles) occur in Philippine politics, the Trolls were the moving force that brought about 'Change' in the Philippine government.  Current President Rodrigo Duterte survived a very late negative campaigning by the previous administration camp.   Thus, a look at Philippine social media posts nowadays would still show confrontation between Trolls  and  Yellowtards/Zombies.  

If you are thinking that political divisions will stop here, then you are quite wrong.  As long as Philippine democracy is alive, the divisions will expand.  Pinoys are not rigid in their choices.   A mutation can occur even with a Loyalist and a Yellowtard in the future.

****************************   THEN COVID-19 ARRIVED. ****************************

It is 2022 now and an election year.  The pandemic seemed to tame political and electoral maneuvers.  At this point, the yellow camp has been orphaned with the death of former President Noynoy Aquino. Former EDSA2 ally and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has endorsed Bongbong Marcos for the top job.  After three decades, the loyalist camp is ready to take political leadership and governance. As one political aspirant considers this event would make the Philippines a lost cause, this point of view will definitely be rebutted by the loyalist camp.  

One thing is definite. The Philippines is a DEMOCRACY.  In a democracy, people can make a mistake during the election. However, they can always correct (even at a high cost) their mistake in the next election.  Again, the view of political error or mistake is relative to which label one belongs to. Finally, this blog will not end with the reminder "Vote Wisely".  As previously mentioned, many Pinoys are NOT stupid and are only stubborn.  Instead, we say - Just VOTE.