At the annual conference of the American Studies Association of the Philippines last Saturday, I started off with a borrowed idea (from Henry Jenkins of the Center for Future Civic Media, whom I read about through Ethan Zuckerman’s indispensable blog). I started with a question: What does democracy look like? And then offered the following photograph, by the celebrated Romy Gacad of AFP, as an answer.
I explained why, in the following terms:
“This Agence France Presse photograph was taken on August 12, 2006, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paid a quick visit to Legazpi City to survey preparations at a danger zone under the shadow of a restless Mayon. The next day, I wrote in my Newsstand blog:
This photo, taken yesterday by the peerless Romy Gacad of AFP in the vicinity of Mayon volcano, spoke to me on so many levels I knew I just had to use it … The composition is so exact it seems almost posed, until you consider the subjects involved: President Arroyo, of course, under the umbrella, facing (or receiving tribute from) Albay Gov. Gonzalez, Reps. Salceda and Lagman, and volcanology institute chief Solidum. (Note the triangle that the officials form.) Other photos, taken by Gacad and by other photographers too, remind us that this particular tableau was very much a product of the moment; in fact, most of the pictures taken at this volcano-gazing event yesterday show either the President by herself or in a huddle with officials. But the veteran lensman saw something different, perhaps a shift in movement, perhaps a blurring and then a coming-into-focus of color. Was it perhaps the presidential umbrella that drew his attention?
“In the 15 months since I wrote that, I have become more and more convinced that this candid portrait of the hierarchy of political power, caught on the wing, tells us something true about democracy, Philippine-style.
“But if this is democracy, where are the demos? Three possibilities. The people are implied; the leaders from the executive and the legislative branches are discussing their fate. The people have been warned off; note the sign that can be glimpsed in the space between the President and her umbrella-toting guard. If we fill in the blanks, we can read: Warning Don’t Go Beyond The Line. Not least, the people (and the press) are outside the frame, watching the scene.
“You may have other images in mind that illustrate democracy, Philippine-style. Any of the iconic photographs from the four heady days of Edsa Uno, for instance, would be similarly evocative. Familiar images of Philippine elections—yellow ballot box, blue-stained index fingers, seminarians in white—remain resonant. A photograph taken by Inquirer photographer Rem Zamora during special elections last May casts the eternal triangle of ballot box, armed guard, and election volunteer in a new light, literally through a different grid.
“But back to Bicol. I hope you will agree with me when I say that the Gacad photo does two things wonderfully well: It captures the elite nature of our representative democracy today, and at the very same time it recalls the datu-and-tribute origins of our history.”
The rest of my remarks can be found here, in Newsstand. But I would be interested to find out: For you, what does democracy look like? If you can’t post a photo, maybe you can post a link!
December 2nd, 2007 at 12:20 am
ayako sana manghimasok sa bangayan nyo Kabayan at MC_90 pero.
@Kabayan
Hindi pa natin agarang makikita ang epekto ng ginawa ni trillanes sa ekonomiya. baket kamo, kasi sarado ang market kahapon, at mag dadagsaan na naman ang remitances ng ating mga bayaing OFWs ngaung disyembre.
At syempre ang pinaka maaapektohan ay ang mga banyagang namumuhunan, kasi magiging ilag sila dahil hindi matatag ang ating pamahalaan.
@MC_90
Parehas tayo ng iniisip, “Dapata patayin na sila jan….sugurin na ng mga police at sundalo at pagbabarilin na…ng sa gayon eh mabawasan man lang kahit papano ang mga taong nagiging dahilan ng paghihirap ng pilipino!!!!” kaso, isa nga tayong demokrasya d ba? Labag man sa kalooban ko gaya ng panantili ni arroyo dapat dumaan tayo sa tamang prosesso. Kasi kung hindi, ano na pinagkaiba natin sakanila?
November 30th, 2007 at 8:38 am
MC_90, Mali ka brader, TUMAAS ang stock market ng 41 points kahapon dahil tumayo si Gen. Lim at Sen. Trillianes laban sa mga corrupt. Nung Batasan blast TUMAAS din ang stock market. Nung tinira ni Trillanes at Lim ang mga kalokohan ng LINTEK MONG IDOL NA SI GLORIA at kanyang mga alipores, lumalabas na nagpapabuti ng ekonomiya. Di ako magtataka na tataas ng plus 200 points ang stock market kung bumaba na sa pwesto ang lintek mong idol, heheheh
November 29th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Kabayan,
Brader…umeksena na naman ang idol mong si trillanes hahahahahahaha wala talagang kupas ang kumag mong idol…ayun nanggulo na naman…at ano ang resulta???? bumagsak ang market…natakot na naman mga negosyante….so ano na naman mangyayari nyan??? tataas na naman ang dollar…TATAAS NA NAMAN ANG BILIHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NG DAHIL LANG SA PERSONAL NA AMBISYON NG LINTEK MONG IDOL!!!!!
Dapata patayin na sila jan….sugurin na ng mga police at sundalo at pagbabarilin na…ng sa gayon eh mabawasan man lang kahit papano ang mga taong nagiging dahilan ng paghihirap ng pilipino!!!!
November 28th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Democracy must come hand in hand with honest and competent governance along with love and care for our fellowmen and environment. Most of all, a democracy based on love of God and following his principle based on goodness, shunning love of ill gotten wealth and power.
No one can claim that they are “corrupt and gain money to give later to the poor”. Such a thing is unacceptable and inadmissible in good and moral governance as it condones the bad in order to supposedly do good.
Immoral and bereft example in governance is worsening and shows no sign of letting up. Cover-ups continue to grow and evil acts condoned and even supported. As such what has to happen will happen. Three typhoons capped by an earthquake, coincidence or sign of the times? People worship money and imitate cover-ups and hypocrisy being done by this government.
For the administration, change your ways, or better yet, those who commit or protect corruption must resign. For those who destroy our environment, time to stop and make amends by planting trees and maintain biodiversity. Stop destroying our water resources whether those in fresh water or salt water. The rich should aid the poor. A system for a more equitable economic system and support institutions must be put into place. Feed the hungry or better yet, create a system so as the hungry can feed themselves. Most important of all, seek the principles of our Supreme Creator and take action in doing good. Never condone leaders and rulers who do evil and drive the whole country into the ground.
Do your duty, do your responsibility. Let yourself be forgiven by doing good rather than making the confessional box your personal “washing machine” to cleanse your souls.
The sign of the times speak for themselves.
November 27th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
stuartsantiago
nice photo nga. but democracy? please! looks to me like a gender divide, pure and simple. the women wanted protection from the elements, perhaps it was drizzling? or threatening to? the men just didn’t care as much. and the distance they kept, well, mahirap namang lumapit sa nakapayong, diba, masusundot ka sa mata.
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
HA HA HA HA,….What so nice about it, The picture don’t tell us anything except, Its look like between the master and their slave.