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| Reference Material |
| Tipping points, cutting edge and ebbing By Felix Zamar, [email protected] April 07, 2006 The Philippines experienced within two decades the clear manifestation of tipping points. The first one happened between Feb. 22 and 25, 1986 and the more recent event happened between October 2000 and January 2001. The most significant attempt to reach the tipping point that failed was the gathering of Erap supporters that marched to Malacanang on May 1, 2001. These were followed by similar attempts to clone the first two successful events. I call these as tipping points for it seems that the Philippines is experiencing some sort of political malady/insanity of epidemic proportion The first two successful events were political upheavals that changed the faces and family pedigrees of those that governed the land. Unfortunately, both upheavals failed to change the fundamental characteristics or profiles of the governing class effecting change. They were practically of the same mold and class interest that effectively prevented the entry of the lower classes of society and those from the rural areas. Power play was effectively contained within a minority that could be considered to be at the cutting edge of change. These elite power players could trace their pedigrees to old or new wealth, exclusive private, Catholic schools, old boy-old girl networks, golfing partners in members-only country clubs and lately cadres or cute media personalities of the newly reloaded extreme left and religious fundamentalists. There were also events in current Philippine History that would point to a clear ebbing of heightened political interests and emotions no matter how hard those who consider themselves at the cutting edge of dissent push, cajole, �blackmail� and threaten. Examples were those dramatic calls made by the Hyatt 10, Liberal Party stalwart and Senate President Drilon, the �united opposition of strange bedfellows,� and most significant but sadly pathetic: that of Cory Aquino. If numbers are significant, one will notice the dwindling numbers of people participating in rallies and marches against the current administration. To make these demonstrations of multi-colored banners worthy of media coverage, there must be the anticipation of violence that must be provoked from the police. Sans police violence or arrests, the marches and demos are considered non-events that only clog traffic, litter thoroughfares and irritate drivers and commuters trying to eke a living. The issues may be valid and important for the Filipinos to be concerned about, unfortunately, there seems to be a credibility problem from those trying to call for action. The old charisma is gone. The smooth political operators of the middle forces who used to be very successful in brokering the changing of allegiances of strategic personalities from the old to the new order have lost their magic touch. Once co-opted by accepting juicy positions in the newly established Order these operators will have difficulty changing color and maintain trustworthiness in the eyes of the majority. The moral ascendancy established by Tita Cory during the dark years of Martial Rule has been frittered away by her calls for supreme sacrifice that she herself failed to do by retaining Hacienda Luisita. Such karmic action is poetic justice for a former president with very high credibility. She is now being haunted by her own failure to do a supreme sacrifice of her own. Her role in Philippine History: a very good example when one uses these terms cutting edge, tipping point, ebbing. ***** |