The ‘third character’

We’re all performers in an ongoing play. It can be tragedy with the kill-rob-arrest-destroy refrain; or comedy, as such commands are said to be jokes. It’s certainly farce, as much of it is a mockery of all things precious.

It’s the “third character” in the play’s cast that bewilders; not the leading man so transparent, anyone can do a profile on him; nor his supporting cast, venal, servile, self-serving stereotypes. Who’s this “character”? It’s the citizens, onlookers. It’s “us.” Let’s view this crowd vis-à-vis the leading man.

Today’s burning question is, what has happened to us? Why do we behave like this? “Kiss muna-fingering-rape,” garnished with vulgarity upon vulgarity. Wow, he’s entertaining. Clap. Laugh. “Clean Manila Bay-close the hotels-stop the corruption-you’re fired.” Wow, he’s strong. “Raise the salary-give land-provide housing.” Wow, he’s populist. He looks at the pollution in Boracay and sees the same in government. The first, he closes; the second, he goes through the motions. No sustained rage, no outrage among us, only spurts. The leading man flies high in the ratings.

How have we come to this? Who/what has made us like this? Beginnings may be traced to the feudalistic socioeconomic structures in our precolonial history and culture, reinforced by the European-Spanish versions; still alive in haciendas and mutations in runaway capitalism. Now in power are the latest terrible feudals, the political dynasties. This last breed are now creators of culture who mold us.

Upon us is its leading man, enabler and avatar and, heaven forbid, an emerging archetype of the Filipino. Before him, Marcos institutionalized cronies and corruption. What has the current idol institutionalized? Is it fear that analysts say is behind this silence, this paralysis as a people? Never has any leader generated so much fear so fast.

What are we becoming? Let’s look at “us” again. First, we “get used.” “Maybe I have come to get used to it in a way,” muses a senator, to which Sen. Risa Hontiveros counters, “We refuse to get used to it”; to dirty language, to extrajudicial killings, to Sen. Leila de Lima’s jailing. Then comes apathy (bystanders watch killing and bullying, plunder and plunderer’s pardon become just a piece of news), acceptance, mimicry (kids play-fighting at the drop of the leading man’s name,  “Bully nation,” Opinion, 12/26/18), artificial normalcy, submission to a bogus strong and populist leader. Finally, we are victims primed to cave in and give up, “both dumb and numb. The zombies got us” (More Voices, 1/16/19). Surreal perhaps, but happening.

But what we see is only half the picture. What’s happening beneath is the more serious and damaging. Is it true that we are undergoing an internal cultural decline or collapse called “the new normal”: the overturning by diverse agents of our once deep-seated moral fiber, decency, honesty, respect for human life and for God, a working democracy, public service we were once proud of? Beware when you hear that “the new normal has taken over.” It’s a most abnormal normal.

What must we become? From victims, we have to become catalysts, movers, protagonists; or, at the very least, like the classical “chorus,” as explainer and ongoing commentator of what’s happening. Shake off the lethargy and the fear. Seize the role, for there may be no deus ex machina, no divine intervention to save us; only ourselves. That, or be “extras” forever.

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Asuncion David Maramba is a retired professor, book editor and occasional journalist.