This is the name that changed my ignorant self into an idealist one. I still remember way back in High School in which we study the works of Rizal titled Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. It was boring at first because the books that we had were written like a poem. All words rhyme with each other and with very deep tagalog words. It really made the phrases confusing and less exciting to read. But thankfully, We had a great teacher who made sure that we understand each chapter. This really made me so excited about the subject. One particular character that had me interested was āEliasā. His extreme loyalty to the nation and to Ibarra and his willingness to sacrifice his life really made me Ā idolize this character. I can just imagine who Rizal mirrored this character into. So it was really saddening how Elias died on the first book.
After reading the two great works of Rizal, I came into a realization that the situation during the Spanish colonization period is very the same with the present situation of Philippine Society.
Spanish colonists were able to control the minds of the Filipino People using Religion and Societal Status. They were able to manipulate the Filipino people to bow before them by taking advantage of some, who are willing to kiss their feet just to have a good āSTATUSā within their society.
Before, Spaniards were considered the āElitesā of Filipino Society. Some Filipinos are willing to denounce and shame their fellows just to be associated with these āElitesā. They think that just being associated by these elites makes their status great. And lo and behold! Crab Mentality was born!
And now with our present situation, These kind of Filipinos still exist. They are willing to bash and shame others just to be associated with the media and popular artists just to have a little acknowledgement from them. They think that being acknowledged by these people makes them āSikatā and makes there status one up higher than their fellows.
Even our Hospitality trait can be debated. Foreigners would say that we are the most hospitable people in the entire world. I bet most of us would agree. But the truth is, We just wanna be associated with non-browns or non-Filipinos so that we can boast about it and makes our status higher. Thatās how much the Filipino people value āStatusā. Theyāre willing to bring others down just to level up their status.
And if we compare that situation before and the situation now, I can say that the Spaniards(Elites) before were replaced by the ever manipulative Media. And for you to be acknowledged by them and gain status , is to be ignorant and kiss their feet. Even to the point that we label someone āSosyalā or āJologsā just because of the stations they watch.
For me, Itās actually okay if the media just stick with the entertainment industry. But when it comes to Politics, Itās a very different issue. One cause of problem that some corrupt officials are able to stay within their power is how the Media manipulate their loyal viewers. Since these viewers want to be āSikatā and raise their status, They always believe what their favorite stations put on the news. Even to the point that they ignore the real situations they see.
I can say that the Media can be compared to the Priests in the Spanish era and the Spaniards (elites) are the artists that are being handled by the media.
To break this cycle, is for some to wake up. They need to acknowledge first that our present situation is very wrong. Even if being shamed by those ever populous crabs.
For me, I woke up a long time ago. And Iāve decided what character I will become within our Noli Me Tangere chapter. I know there are others who thinks like me. But are just waiting for a Crisostomo Ibarra to rise. This is us going all out. We are The Filipino Elias.
