Circus is in town, election 2010

the artists

Filipinos of all ages are enjoying the circus that has come to be known as the 2010 elections. Streets in the Philippines are decorated with pictures of the Stars, and want-to-be-stars.

The biggest Filippine Circus is searching for about 17,000 new artists. And there are more than 85,000 want-to-be-stars who all want to become a BIG STAR. They are all advertizing themselves with pictures in the streets, on cars, jeepneys, tricycles and more.
Many trees and smaller bushes are decorated with large and smaller posters. Sometimes the plants and trees cannot be seen anymore. All to show that the CIRCUS IS IN TOWN.

election posters in the Philippines

On May 10, more than 50 million Filipinos are expected to help choose a next president, with 10 candidates vying for the unenviable task of leading the circus for the next 6 years. So, who will prevail? Will the elections bring real change to the lives of Filipinos or will it end up as an entertaining but empty spectacle?

Filipinos will not only be choosing a new president; they’ll also select the next vice president, 12 senators, 1 district representative, 1 party list representative and local government officials. Voters will also choose a mayor, vice mayor and 6 to 12 council members. Voters in the 85 provinces will elect a governor, vice governor and 6 to 12 board members.

Politics in the Philippines is often a ‘dirty’ game. Candidates (or their organisation or helpers) do not hesitate to eliminate their opponents. The mudslinging has started already some time ago. And sometimes it is not mudslinging but more agressive methods which are used (like the Mindanao Massacre, LINK to CNN). News programs on tv and newspapers are reporting almost every day of new ‘dirty’ facts.

The director of this circus, Comelec (short for Comedy election  ) has made proper rules and regulations for the show. But the show wouldn’t be a great performance if all the artists followed the direction. They all have their own ways of performing in the show.

Filipino politicians describe their enemies as animals?

Senatorial candidate Teofisto Guingona III made a somewhat funny TV ad which showed him punching an animated crocodile. I have seen something simular on other posters too.  Note: Corrupt politicians (but also corrupt police men) in the Philippines are often compared to and called “crocodiles”.

Loren Legarda (candidate for vice-president)  was called a ‘political butterfly’ in reference to her frequent changing of party affiliations.

Members of Congress are called ‘porky’ because of their obsession with pork barrel projects. Presidential son Mikey Arroyo was compared to a pig by activists because of his intention to become a partylist representative.

If in other countries calling someone chicken is an allusion to the weak character of the person, in the Philippines it means the person is backed by a powerful leader. A candidate who is identified as manok (chicken) of Arroyo means the candidate is a favored candidate of Arroyo. Meanwhile, sisiw (chicks) is a term used by confident candidates to refer to their weak rivals.

I will end this post with a joke recently told in the Philippines:

Gloria finally realized that her presidency is coming to and end. She noticed that most of the Malacanang people were wearing yellow clothes, some were wearing orange, and a few were wearing black. She asked her Executive Secretary to explain why?
“Well… ma’am, those wearing yellow are secret supporters of Noynoy and those wearing orange are for Villar”, he replied.
“How about those wearing black”, Gloria asked.
“Well… ma’am, they’re your loyalists and they are mourning your departure soon.”  
“Gago! Fire all those wearing yellow!” Gloria shouted. 
“But ma’am… they’re your cabinet members”, he said. 
“How about those wearing orange, who are they?”
“You family members, ma’am.”

You might also like this earlier post:

buying a used car from a presidential candidate in the Philippines

Share and Enjoy

Tags: - Philippines, circus, election 2010