The politics of hypocrisy

"Madame President, you’re a second-rate, trying-hard copycat of my Dad." Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos quoted a much-abused line from a Sharon Cuneta movie in accusing President Macapagal-Arroyo of "plagia-rizing" her late dictator-father’s declaration of martial law with GMA’s Proclamation 1017. Imee further stated, "To say that the instrument (Proclamation 1017) bears any resemblance to the rigorous martial law document trivializes the commander-in-chief provision, insults our Constitution, and offends and violates Congress’ exclusive powers."

Whatever possessed Imee to assume that the Arroyo administration was trying to copy the martial law decree with its declaration of the state of emergency? Reacting to her remarks, Surigao del Sur Rep. Butch Pichay said that Representative Marcos was "way, way off the mark in comparing Proclamation 1017 to her father’s Presidential Decree 1081." He added that the two are completely different matters altogether, and that conditions today are not the same as those during the pre-martial law years. "Besides, who would want to copy anything that the late dictator did?" Pichay scornfully stated.

To hear a direct heir of a tyrannical leader talk about her father’s oppressive rule like it was a precious legacy, is utterly disgusting and leaves an extremely bad taste in the mouth. How could Imee have the temerity to defend and take pride in a regime that plundered the nation’s coffers and violated so many human rights?

The Arroyo administration may not have good graces in terms of integrity and peace and order, but thankfully, its record is certainly nowhere near that of the corrupt and oppressive Marcos regime. This is something that even Gloria-bashers will have to admit, albeit grudgingly.

Imee justified her father’s declaration of martial law as having had the proper legal basis while Proclamation 1017 supposedly had "nothing other than vacuous genera-lities. . ." She went on to say that the government had "sinister" motives with its declaration "such as to harass media and members of the political opposition."

Such nerve! She conveniently forgets how her father muzzled the press, forcibly closed down or took over media and utility firms, and illicitly hauled his political enemies to jail and subjected them to all kinds of torture. It’s appalling how Imee could make these accusations – with a smile on her face – when her father himself was at one time the perpetrator of such violations. Talk about the worst kind of amnesia – or downright hypocrisy! Imee should be the last person to talk about political harassment or constitutional violations. Her political agenda itself is open to question. Much like the rest of President Arroyo’s political foes, she would ally with just anybody regardless of political leanings or color to advance her own interest. Her coming together with former President Cory Aquino and leftist groups has made them a bunch of the strangest bedfellows there ever was in Philippine politics.

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NOW HERE’S GOOD NEWS. A concerned group of Filipinos living in San Francisco,. California has formed themselves into the Foundation for Philippine Folklife, a non-profit corporation to promote cultural cohesion and pride among Filipinos in the Untied States, and helping others understand Filipino culture. The Foundation has enabled not only Filipinos, but also Americans and people of other nationalities to appreciate the Filipinos’ costumes, music, dance, history, and literary and visual arts.

I had occasion to meet the Foundation president, Lettie Tempongco-Figueroa and her husband, Ernie two weeks ago in Manila. Lettie talked enthusiastically about the Foundation’s major project, the Museu ng Buhay Filipino, or Museum of Philippine Folklife.

The museum will be showing off ternos of past Philippine First Ladies. Ternos of Mrs. Aurora Quezon are waiting to be exhibited; they have been donated by the daughter of an American lady who had received them as loving gifts from her good friend, Mrs. Aurora Quezon. Now the Foundation is looking up people who can donate ternos of other First Ladies. These will be mounted in specially-made shadow boxes on the sixth floor of the Philippine Consulate General at the Philippine Center Building on 447 Sutter Street in San Francisco.

The first fashion exhibits featured costumes of tribes from northern and southern Philippines on the fifth floor. Then Tourism Secretary Dick Gordon said, "Why are your exhibits here? More people should see this show." Shortly after, with the support of Consul General Delia Rosales, the museum was moved a floor up, where people got their Philippine visas and couldn’t miss hopping over to view the exhibits just across the room.

The museum, said Lettie, "is the first of its kind outside the Philippines. It showcases various cultural texts, living traditions and lifestyles of the Filipino people through the works of regional artisans and visual and performing artists."

Funds derived from the Foundation’s activities are earmarked for the acquisition of Philippine artifacts and costumes. Lettie said activities have the cooperation of the Philippine Consulate General and the Philippine Department of Tourism in San Francisco.

The museum was first organized in 1988 by the University of the Philippines Alumni Chapter in Berkeley, Ca. When the chapter decided to drop the project, Mellie Leandicho-Francisco founded a Foun-dation that would support and maintain the museum.

Foundation officers are: Mellie Leandicho-Francisco, Lettie Tempongko-Figueroa, Manuel Molina, Norma Vilarente, Jose Gil (an Upsilonian), John Sabio, Len Samonte, Danny de la Cruz, and Ret. Justice Cezar D. Francisco. Members are Paz Mauricio-Agcaoili, Frank Batara, Jose Bibal, Virginia Floro-Claudio, Jorge Flor-Cruz, and Cota Deles-Yabut.

The Foundation sponsored in July 2003, a book fair at the Philippine consulate, featuring choice publications of the UP Press, including the book, A Study of Philippine Games, by Mellie Lopez-Francisco.

A second book fair, chaired by Jose Gil, was held during a cultural event entitled, "Ode to Spring." The occasion marked the debut of the rondalla group Kwerdas ng Museo held at the consulate social hall.

Another activity, called Magic Night, was held at the St. Patrick’s Church, and featured outstanding musicians Estella Mendieta, soprano; Dr. Tito Yusi, tenor; Robert Manong-do, tenor, and John Florencio, pianist. They sang numbers from the "Phantom of the Opera," operatic themes, Filipino kundi-mans, and Broadway hits.

Another successful project was a mini-diorama entitled "A Visual Cultural History of the Philippines" by Cota Deles-Yabut. The 12 sets of work in water color showed historic phases of the Philippines, from the pre-historic to the Spanish and American periods. The exhibit will be shown this month at the San Francisco public library.

The Foundation, said Lettie, hopes to take the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra to San Francisco. Its conductor, Eugene Castillo, was born and raised in the U.S.

Lettie’s husband, Ernie, a retired Philippine Air Force flight instructor who now teaches in a driving school in San Francisco ("If you don’t do anything, you will die,") said the Foundation "traces the roots of Philippine history and culture. They tell people that Filipinos have a great culture, and we’re very proud of where we come from."

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