Alex Eala said this: “I think we’re just very proud of where we come from and we have a really strong sense of community and you can see it when someone does well. We’re a community that uplifts each other and you know we’re quite positive people and when positive things happen to other Filipinos around the world, I think we just… we kinda share the enjoyment and share in the happiness.”
Aw. Thanks so much, Alex, for reminding Filipinos what they’re made of and who they should be. Because there are times when crab mentality gets the better of them, making them gossip and spread lies about people they want to put down.
Is Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial merely an example of crab mentality, too? Of course not. They have evidence against her, such as the November 2024 video press conference where she said this: “Wag kang mag-alala, Ma’am, sa security ko. Kasi, may kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez.’ No joke. No joke. Nagbilin na ako, Ma’am. ‘Pag namatay ako,’ sabi ko, ‘Wag ka tumigil, ha? Hanggang hindi mo mapatay sila.’ And then he said, ‘Yes.’” (Source: Rappler)
Compare Duterte’s words with Eala’s, both powerful statements from two strong women who represent different worlds—one in sports, the other in politics.
Meanwhile, in the movie “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” Ruthye Marye Knoll wants to avenge her father’s death. But Kara Zor-El a.k.a. Supergirl tells her, “Your life will be your revenge.” If only Duterte had that same attitude, she wouldn’t be in trouble over that video.
The only part I’ve watched of the impeachment proceedings so far has been the viral clip of saliva stuck on the right corner of the mouth of lead prosecutor, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro. If voting were based on the “eww” factor, the prosecution wins hands down.
Then there’s Senate President Win Gatchalian, whose silent presence beside Sen. Chiz Escudero, the presiding officer for Duterte’s impeachment trial, has become a meme. In one he’s pouring wine or coffee. Others show him straightening Escudero’s long hair, cooking, cross-stitching, or acting as a sign-language interpreter. There’s always more fun in the Philippines, because Filipinos have learned to rely on humor for survival. They even smile for photos and videos while on their roofs, desperately trying to escape floods.
If Typhoon Inday ever results in floods, Filipinos will again find some humor in it—something like, “Better Inday Sara than Typhoon Inday.”
Inday Sara is Duterte’s nickname.
If Duterte is convicted in her impeachment trial, that means she’s banned from ever running for public office again. No more 2028 presidency for her. With the Dutertes out of the Malacañang picture, it will be back to the Marcoses versus the yellows—or Kakampinks, as they’re now called. Which makes the Dutertes some kind of “dakilang singit” in a two-family rivalry that began in, hmm, the ’60s? ’70s? ’80s?
