MORE than just a tool for reproduction, the phallus is a symbol imbued with mystical and spiritual interpretations.
In ancient civilizations, phallic symbols, objects, and statues were revered by some cultures -- it is a symbol of fertility, and even some deity’s significant organ to the point its believers offer prayers and rituals in honor for it. In some societies of old, the phallus is a symbol of dominance and power.
Of course in sciences: its biological function, as well as the psychological, the phallic stage of coming of age of children exploring their sexuality.
Then Abrahamic religions came, and institutionalized the function and beliefs of the phallus, as well as the female’s genitalia, and over time, it etched a new meaning to the religious societies.
Today, phallic symbols are often associated with sexual desires; quite a scandal when talked about or shown to the public. But in some sub-cultural groups, the phallic symbols are a form of sarcasm, humor, and “naughty” tendencies, maybe you have seen ore received some cakes or novelty souvenir items that resembles the phallus in birthday occasions or bridal showers.
For boys and teenage males, it is a form annoying other peers of their age, some adult men do that at times, “no homo,” just for fun of upsetting or trolling other guys.
So, when the video of musical artist Jim Paredes spread all over the Internet, it invited a discourse on the phallus, sexuality, and political hypocrisies. A week later, no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself narrated the Paredes’ ordeals. Paredes, who is known to be one of the critics of Duterte and his administration. Not enough, Duterte would go on mocking Paredes’ phallus, and bragged about his. Of course, the nation especially the critics, are scandalized about this, although it would not be the first time Duterte scandalized the nation because of his antics in speeches.
Then the critics challenged Duterte that instead of phallic talks, they demanded accountability from the President in the matters of China’s invasion of the country’s West Philippine Sea, and challenging yet again his son, former Davao City mayor Paolo, to show his “dragon tattoo” on his back, to prove that the latter is not involved in a Chinese syndicate that trades illegal drugs in the country.
It may come in a bad taste, or irreverent in as far the occasion would go, Duterte’s remarks about his phallus are again scorned upon by those who would want to hear him talk matters that are important. Then again, no one can please everybody, especially for a controversial president that every words and actions he make, there will always immediate reactions.
What is interesting however, we might have witnessed another transformation of the phallus and its symbolic meaning. Maybe in the future, it may not only mean power and dominion.
Or maybe we are thinking too much, and try not to be some lousy dickheads, eh?
(nefluczon@gmail.com)