“Kampihan natin ang Inaapi” Mentality and How Binay Uses it as Leverage in his Presidential Bid

*adapted

Remember when Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay brazenly attended on 15 September a general open forum portion of an event titled “Forum on Governance, Transparency and Social Transformation” at the University of the Philippines – Los Baños, a branch campus of the premier University of the Philippines.

Due to the fact that Vice President Binay has been hounded by corruption allegations on all sides, it is no wonder that the university students (UPLB) pressed Binay in answering their queries concerning the allegations against him. The open forum, however, became heated as the questions and subsequent reactions of the students “pinned down” Binay, the latter forced to utter somehow contradictory statements. The Vice President was openly jeered by the unsatisfied students as a result.

One example on how Binay got “roasted” is when he was forced to admit that there are indeed informal settlers in Makati City, despite brandishing in his propaganda that Makati City is a “highly developed ‘rich’ city”. When the student pointed out the existence of informal settlers in Makati, a seemingly surprised Binay initially challenged the student to point out where the informal settlers are, but in the end a piqued Binay said that “The informal settlers in Makati are just 3% or 5%”, a subtle contradiction to his earlier statement that there are no informal settlers in the highly-urbanized city. This was just an example of the many heated exchanges he encountered with socially-aware students of UPLB.

Why would Binay, who cunningly evaded the questioning press and even turned down a live debate in which corruption issues would be discussed, allow himself to be “roasted” in a forum turned “inquisition”?

The most probable answer is simple - he wanted to get taunted and jeered.

I remember an essay by Nicanor Tiangson titled “Four Values in Filipino Drama and Film”. Basically the essay not only touched upon the Filipino taste for entertainment but also ultimately linked it to the socio-cultural phenomenon behind it. One of the principal values usually encountered in stereotypical Filipino dramas is “Mabuti ang Inaapi” or “Hurrah for the Underdog”. It is usually the bida (main protagonist) who is initially maltreated and abused in Filipino dramas, and this ingrained the value that we should automatically side with the oppressed. There is nothing wrong with persecution, Tiangson pointed out in the essay, but the idea that the oppressed are always the good guys is something we both disapprove.

You see, the students of UPLB who roasted him in the forum, the upper-middle class users of Twitter who continuously bash Binay (even ad hominem attacks), and the people who are celebrating his public roasting are portrayed as “Binay’s oppressors”, the “kontrabidas” (antagonists) of a seemingly honorable Vice President (or so it appears). His attendance was not about convincing the UPLB students - it was about gaining publicity and ultimately, drawing a sharp contrast between people who oppose him and people who support him. His attendance and subsequent public "humiliation" at the hands of the perceived middle-class and upper-middle class lends momentum to the idea of a class struggle. He wanted to show people how he would be brutalized by university students even after graciously accepting an invitation to a college forum. He is a Machiavellian genius when it comes to politics, as he keeps a superficial down-to-earth image in order to convince the majority of voters, lower class citizens, that he is one with them.

  The worse part is that his plan appears to be working, and the main contributor to his success does not lie in his already-villified allies but in his detractors. Many of his detractors, like the netizens he ired, contributed to this image of a “class struggle”. Slogans like "No To Nognog" and memes making fun of his skin color and his looks placed emphasis on the distinction between his supporters and his detractors. The majority of voters – especially those unaware about the allegations about him, would automatically sympathize with the man they believe is like them – a man oppressed by the elitist rich people. (Even presidential candidate Mar Roxas is criticized as an elitist by die-hard Binay loyalists.) Notice how the 670 sister cities of Makati are usually underdeveloped municipalities in far-away provinces,

Either way, his maltreatment at the hands of UPLB students still brought more publicity for him. (As the saying goes, “bad publicity is still publicity.”) Let us not underestimate the Machiavellian prowess of Binay and his underlings. What his cam did was an intelligent and calculated decision based on the simple fact that the uneducated voters outnumber the educated voters.

*This is an adapted work and the blog owner will not be responsible for the accuracy of the data in this article.

Credits to the Following:

Mr. David Yap

Netizen Denzel

On the Reason for Existence (Raison d'être)

Foreword: I’ve decided to write in an “open letter” format to make it more “connecting” to people.

My friends and loyal followers,

Pondering on the fragility of our lives, I stumbled upon a classical question, "What is the reason for our existence?" The term raison d'être (French for “reason for existence”) is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as the thing that is most important to someone or something; the reason for which a person or organization exists.

I have seen many humans spend their time on lasciviousness and other wasteful activities. (Kanilang ginugol ang kanilang buhay sa kalayawan.) They are focused on materialistic wants and goals. I, being somehow a non-conformist, have other plans and goals. I exhort you all not to be overly attached to material things and consumerist trends. For Christian believers, if you really believe in the Bible, you should that we were created for good works. It is written: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)  To do good works to all men is a prime mission we need to fulfill. It is written: So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10 RSV) It is the main reason I try to help people if they need me. I was delighted when someone mentioned that people say that I'm an approachable nice person, always willing to lend a hand in need. However, I am not saying this for personal glory, but I, a servant, am saying this as a testament to declare that Christian teachings can be an effective teacher of morality for people. (Suck it, militant atheists! You pride yourselves to be good without god but you constantly deny even the tiniest contribution of Christian teachings to a person's moral compass.) To be honest, I was inspired to write this partially because of my desire to clear any misunderstanding some people may have about me.

So basically, I really want to help people in need. I have the tendency to befriend the lower ends of the socio-political ladder because I tend to be more emphatic to the cause of the oppressed, the poor, and the marginalized. In high school, my friends did not come from affluent families. Even the Judeo-Christian God, despite being the Highest above all, chose the ones perceived by the world as weak. It is written: ²⁷ but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹ so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1: 27 – 29 [RSV]). In my college days, I would usually befriend the irregular students, the unpopular ones, the seemingly out-of-place students, and even the student laboratory assistants. Even my thesis partner once quipped, "Ang dami mong kakilala ah.” ("You're acquainted with so many people"). He said that while we walking around the campus and around ten people either greeted me or I greeted them first.

Having plenty of acquaintances is fine, but true friends are real treasures to keep. The preacher in Ecclesiastes said: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up. (Ecclesiastes 4: 9 – 10 RSV) Having loyal friends is indeed a treasure more valuable than gold.

We exist to help each other, and I believe being helpful and leaving behind at least some positive contributions as your legacy is a life well spent. It is true that as individuals we can never do enough to stop corruption, to preserve the environment, and to maintain peace and goodwill among mankind. Our individual contributions to the betterment of society, despite appearing to be insufficient, will help you feel that you've fulfilled your reason for existence. Remember the case of famed German industrialist Oscar Schindler, who virtually used all his resources and riches in saving the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. Reports claim that he felt that he could have done better, only to be reassured that he should be thankful to have been able to save more than a thousand lives from the infamous concentration camps. You may claim that what we’re doing will not have a significant bearing for the improvement of the world, which may be true. However, this should inspire us further to work hard to help one another, despite the fact that it will never be enough in a large-scale view.

If you’ll ask me, the best way to be immortalized is to do or at least, idealize something that has the potential to help mankind. Rise above the ordinary but do not be arrogant! Be humble. Lift up the poor and the oppressed and let us carry the burden of one another. One example of contributing is by doing our part in saving the environment. Being immortalized in history may be an awesome feat, but we should not solely focus on it. “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.’[1]” said Mother Theresa.

Skeptics and atheists are usually the ones who emphasize in "living life to its fullest", obviously due to the fact that they reject the idea of the afterlife. Some have a tendency to emphasize worldly concerns because of this, which can be good sometimes. Imagine their efforts trying to eradicate disease because they value life. They even mock fanatical theists who emphasize faith healing. This is a misrepresentation of Christianity because this is not how educated Christians should act, since the Bible also emphasizes on exerting efforts to take care of yourself. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (2 John 1:8 KJV)

However, some skeptics tend to be slow to forgive and prideful, since they do not believe in divine retribution in the afterlife. (Unlike Christians - who are commended to forgive even enemies.) I am actually playing safe even though I believe in the afterlife. This drives me to strive further to be helpful to all men, since it is one way to be remembered and "immortalized". By doing good deeds, we please God, and if such deeds allow a person to be mentioned at least once in the annals of history, then we are also, in a perspective, immortalized. A win-win situation, I think.

You might ask? Why? Unlike most people who desire the snaring pleasures of riches and fame, my desire to be a contributor for the slightest improvement (if there is still hope) of the world is fueled by my desire to atone my past mistakes. Being remembered in a positive way is also helpful in covering my rough past, the humiliations, and even my failures. It is hoped that by succeeding in this ultimate mission, I have served my Designer, helped mankind, and fulfilled my raison d'être. This is my driving force that keeps me going despite the obstacles I face in this life. Strive hard, my friends, to achieve your goals. Do not forget your humble beginnings so as to not allow pride to consume you.

Thank you.

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[1] Matthew 25:35–36