Skip to main content

We are a Country of Ultranationalists Brimming with Righteous Indignation (1)

I was listening to the radio this morning, and these disk jockeys from DWRT were going through their usual morning yakkety yak. You know. Stuff you usually don’t listen to, stuff that becomes white noise. But when they started talking about the Hayden Kho stuff, it took all of my self-control to keep myself from tossing my laptop out of the window (yes, I was streaming from the ‘net).

You know how it is – the reason people listen to the radio en route to work is to serve as background music. Sooner or later, you just let it stream through your senses. Just like the Hayden Kho scandal(s). The entire thing is just really absurd, and Nina pointed out that the only reason the press is cashing in on this is because unlike previous sex scandals, this involved a rather upstanding member of Philippine society.

What I can’t get enough of, though, is the way everybody is handling the entire situation. The media’s trying to be as invasive as possible to get the “truth” out. En route to the studio yesterday, this reporter was trying to milk Kho’s lawyer for her take on her client’s case. Now this is just me talking, but that’s very unprofessional of the interviewer – it’s like baiting the lawyer to say something that can be used against her client.

I can’t say that Senator Bong Revilla’s helping the situation any, either. I don’t know what it is that’s been eating this guy’s shorts, but he’s been flinging uncalled-for proposals left and right. First there’s that Alec Baldwin affair that got the actor banned from the Philippines. Now he wants Kho to turn in his medical license just because he had sex? Then we’re better off revoking the licenses of most of our medical professionals. And how about our government officials? Are they getting any? Off with their positions! We live in a largely Catholic country, and anybody who has sex without marriage is a bad influence to the rest of the population.

The most absurd reaction I’ve heard to date comes from Katrina Halili herself. It isn’t enough that Hayden Kho’s apologized – she wants more. Just what more is, I have no idea. The hilarious part here is that Katrina Halili is the Filipino equivalent of a soft-core porn star – a sexy actress, so to speak. What you saw (or didn’t see) in the video of the sex scandal with Kho is pretty much run-of-the-mill with her films. What’s she got to complain about? The fact that she didn’t make a single centavo from this video? Seriously.

I don’t understand why Pinoys are so adamant about making a definite stand about issues popping up left and right. I get that there’s something about standing up for what you believe in, but there is something to be said about moderation and deep thought. I love my country, but sometimes the absurdity of its residents and leaders can be a bit too stupid.

Technorati Tags: ,,

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Maynilad Water Chronicles: The Clusterf$%#, Part 2

This is the third post in our Maynilad Water chronicles. This time, we will talk about just how inept their record keeping skills are in the face of a massive overhaul in a given area. This involves a technique used by Meralco in high-risk areas called clustering, and is efficient – if utilized correctly. Needless to say, Maynilad has yet to be able to do this.

Clarity in Three Parts

i Maraming beses na kitang nilayasan Iniwanan at iba ang pinuntahan Parang babaeng mahirap talagang malimutan Ikaw lamang ang aking laging binabalikan Manila, Manila I keep coming back to Manila Simply no place like Manila Manila, I'm coming home I walked the streets of San Francisco I've tried the rides in Disneyland Dated a million girls in Sydney Somehow I feel like I don't belong Hinahanap-hanap kita Manila Ang ingay mong kay sarap sa tenga Mga Jeepney mong nagliliparan Mga babae mong naggagandahan Take me back in your arms Manila And promise me you'll never let go Promise me you'll never let go Manila, Manila Miss you like hell, Manila No place in the world like Manila I'm coming here to stay ii. Too, uh, cheesy to mention. Check the lyrics here . iii. I've been drunk or inebriated every day of this week since Saturday last week; since I'm holding an inuman party

Manila Series: Parks of Manila

The other day, I read the post of a friend who was ranting about how Manila can only be beautiful when seen from a specific light. I could understand what he means, because Manila is the center of traffic in the NCR. The poor are here in full force, the most corrupt policemen are here, and honestly, there is no discipline whatsoever. But here’s something that I’ve discovered. You walk Manila. You don't drive it. It isn't the most walkable city in the world, but what can be seen when you do walk it is fantastic. And when you walk around the city, you don’t encounter the corrupt cops (because they’re going after the drivers), you don’t deal with traffic. You can’t do anything about the poor, though. Unless they’re doing something productive, and not just begging, I avoid them. If they’re cleaning up trash, or something similar, then I give them cash.