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!
November 24th, 2007 at 2:03 am
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Arroyo rues human rights violations in Myanmar
By Carlo P. Mallo
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Here we go again. Gloria Arroyo, were talking about democracy in other country, She can’t even take care the problem in the Philippines let alone other country. She must be really out of her mind. If you really believe there is democracy in the Philippines, Them tell Gloria Arroyo, To stop the killing on the people who speak against her. I know for the fact that anybody say something against her, These people got throw in jail, If not they all got kill. And we all knew it. Salina
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PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo deplored the treatment of the authoritarian government on detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The President also called for the immediate release of the political prisoner.
Post your comments here on the Batasan blast
Fresh from her shortened visit to Singapore to attend the 13th Asean Leaders Summit, the President directly flew to Davao City to oversee the relief operations conducted in the provinces of Surigao and the city of Iligan, which has been directly affected by tropical storm ‘Lando.’
Myanmar was called Burma prior to the takeover of the military junta in the country.
The President said while she is pleased that the regional alliance has incorporated language in the Charter that advances human rights and democracy, she expressed concern over the forces of authoritarianism in Myanmar.
“They still move rather slowly towards democracy in Myanmar,” the President said.
The President said she embraces the advances of the Asean but remains concerned over the pace of progress in Myanmar.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte backed the President and called for more stringent action on the part of the regional alliance to compel Myanmar to restore democracy and respect human rights.
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.S
November 24th, 2007 at 1:51 am
natros
For me the kind of democracy that we have is an “abused “democracy. This is so because even ordinary people have no respect to the highest official of the land, the President by calling her illegitimate, liar, cheater, corrupt etc. even though she has not yet been tried and found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In a real democracy one should be presumed innocent until proven guilty
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Everytime somebody try bring out the truth Gloria Arroyo, Cronies KILL IT because they don’t want the truth to come out, But there is solid evidence against her this is one of the reason why instead of bringing it to the proper forum they all get together and kill whatever throw at her. This is one of the reason why most of filipino people are starving because the taxepayer’s money suppose to be for social service it went to the pocket of Gloria Arroyo, Corrupt cronies to buy them off to make sure her stay into her stolen power. If they don’t have anything to hide, Whey cover it up! Sabihim mo they’re all guilty and they’re parther in crime. Amen:
November 24th, 2007 at 1:44 am
natros
For me the kind of democracy that we have is an “abused “democracy. This is so because even ordinary people have no respect to the highest official of the land, the President by calling her illegitimate, liar, cheater, corrupt etc. even though she has not yet been tried and found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In a real democracy one should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Hi, There! You were saying the real democracy one should be presumed innocent until proven guilty?. I agree with you on this. But, The question is, Is the democracy in the Philippines apply’s to all or just for a few. If what you’re saying is true why is it when these stupid idiots evil society impeach Erap, They didn’t let the impeachment trial to be finish so that the truth well come out,. In fact they kick him out without any due process of the law; Now, You’re crying wolf just because I call Gloria Arroyo, A liar, Cheat, Power grabber and murderer…..If you can’t accept the truth there is nothing I can do about it. LET ME SAY THIS AGAIN, GLORIA ARROYO, NOTHING BUT A LIAR, CHEAT, POWER GRABBER AND MURDERER.
November 23rd, 2007 at 8:32 pm
That a person is presumed innocent is just a presumption. When proven guilty the person is proven not innocent. When the person is not proven guilty, the person is not proven innocent. Presumption of something cannot be equated with its truthfullness.
November 23rd, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Salina,
WHO IS NOT A LIAR AND WHO IS NOT A CHEATER IN PHILIPPINE POLITICS?????
Even the first president Emilio Aguinaldo, He cheated just so he will get the highest position of the land…he and his cohorts sabotaged andres bonifacio (who was the favorite of all)..and aguinaldo’s oathtaking was held in secret?????
hehehehehehe