FILIPINOS not only like Filipino films because of the action, per se. They like the drama: the way characters rise from the ashes, and the ways the kontrabidas fall to their most shameful defeat.
The results of the senatorial elections have been trending online, even until the last time I checked at about 3 p.m., Tuesday.
Most of my friends were shocked because of the results of the partial counting and how many of their senatorial bets did not make it to the Magic 13.
Most surprising to many netizens yet was the inclusion of Bong Revilla to the circle.
As of 1 p.m., May 14, Revilla placed 10th with a vote of more than 14 million.
Netizens lashed their frustration over his inclusion in the possible list of new senators in the light of his plunder case.
Many commented on the incompetence of the majority to consider his crimes. Others blame the democratic system of the country and how it contradicted itself.
Others also made a joke that many senatorial candidates will probably dance on their candidacy ads in the next elections, citing Revilla’s ad where he danced the “budots”.
Some also posted that they will unfriend whoever voted for Revilla during Monday’s elections.
Disclaimer: the following is just an observation and has no scientific basis. This is just a realization:
Revilla’s received support despite his plunder case may have come from the Filipino’s delight in the generic Filipino film plot—how an underdog wins, and how the oppressed are accused, condemned, and then eventually persevered to win.
To complete the plot, the netizens and other critiques took the role of the kontrabida to those who watched Revilla.
The public may have seen the similar patterns in Revilla’s story and instead of someone who supposedly stole, when he was released despite his charges, he may have been someone who was just falsely accused or was just a scapegoat after all.
But perhaps it’s also time for the Filipinos to understand that Revilla is no longer an actor nor a protagonist when he was charged; that the national election is not an extension of the drama they so loved.
(rizsunio@gmail.com)