Oh, rally now?

Thailand ousted another leader this week. On Tuesday, the country’s top court effectively dissolved the government of now ex-Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

This comes after protests reached a tipping point when demonstrators took over Bangkok airports, stranding many foreigners — including some 134 Filipinos.

I guess this is democracy at work, or — if Malacañang has anything to say about it — “destabilizers” at work. Regardless, events in Thailand have prompted circles in our own country to ponder our sorry state.

Last week, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez expressed doubt that similar mass actions will happen here, citing the nation’s “high degree of political maturity.” Other groups, meanwhile, wonder why massive demonstrations haven’t taken place already. With the fourth impeachment complaint trashed last week, moves for Charter Change exposed, and the possibility of a No-Elections scenario in 2010, there are some who say Filipinos have a lot to be worried about.

However, on both sides, the one word that’s being tossed around a lot these days is “apathy.” The questions: Are Filipinos now indifferent to the political process? And, if young people led rallies in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’00s, where are the young people today?

To answer this, let me share an important lesson I learned this week: Apathy is the base state of all human beings. We’re born without a care in the world, and we only learn concern for things when these things concern us.

It’s selfish but this is human nature. And it extends to matters of politics. It’s not that people don’t care about the political process anymore. It’s that the political process doesn’t care about them. “Why act, when we get no reaction? Why speak when no one speaks back?” — this is the general sentiment of a peer group that feeds so much on interactivity.

I make no pitches about idealism — of John F. Kennedy’s “What you can do for your country?” The truth we face is that there is none of that today. For every click, there is a sound. For every transmission, feedback. Many young people aren’t rallying because they’ve tried it before, and it just hasn’t given them anything.

Of course, this is one of the failures of Big Government (but that’s a discussion for another time.) Today, my point is this: Yes, many Filipinos are apathetic. They will continue to be until and unless they are provoked. But this isn’t indicative of the level of nationalism we have. This is just, simply put, human nature.

So, the best way to jump start change is not for one to talk to people, but to let people talk back and see that you’re listening. It’s this empowerment that will change the future, and I suggest our leaders pick this up, if they want any revolution to happen in this county.

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Right To Rebut

Last week’s column, “Why debaters need to pee,” has generated quite a response — some of it bad, some of it nasty — but many of the comments critical of the column are correct.

In writing the article, my only intention was to point out the errors of some debaters — both new and seasoned. However, I now realize that the manner in which I chose to do so is itself debatable.

I apologize for the generalizations I used in referring to the debate community. Many debaters are articulate and insightful, and they are shining role models for young people such as myself.

I speak particularly of Sharmila Parmanand, whose pictures were used in my column. Sharmila is a debater who has won multiple championships both here and abroad. And she is truly an instrument of change in this country. I apologize specifically to Sharmila, as using her photos was a serious lapse in judgment on my part.

I thank those who submitted their invaluable opinions on my article. Feedback is important to me. Every week, I end my column by asking you to send me your comments. I listen to criticism, as I find it’s the best tool for shaping discourse in this country. When an audience reacts, media should react. We live in an era where communication is two-way. This is an exciting time, and I am glad to be a part of it.

A version of this text was published at Supreme.ph, and edited for print.

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Comment on this article at www.supreme.ph/pepe.