In Filipino, we often use the term “gago” to “curse” or tell someone about something stupid or unacceptable that s/he has done. If there will be a cline of the Philippine vulgarbolary (maybe I have to patent this blended word.hehe), I would suggest that the lowest or subtlest would be “engot”, followed by “tanga”, then by “gago” (the rest would be of higher vulgarity).
Indeed, a lot of “kagaguhan” transpired yesterday. First of which is the one initiated by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and former Scout Ranger Danilo Lim. Much as I agree with their sentiments regarding the corrupt practices of the Arroyo administration, I could not help but tag their “show” yesterday as the primary “kagaguhan.” It’s true that the Filipino people is sick and tired of the evil practices of the administration—even elementary students feel this one way or another—but I can’ help but ask myself: “Have these soldiers lost their analytical and tactical skills behind bars?”
If news reports are accurate, it appears that these two didn’t act according to plan. Supposedly, according to the news, the protest is set on Novemeber 30—in commemoration of the Filipino revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio. It appears that these two soldiers got excited, and just like the brave and aggressive founder of Katipunan, who, according to history, never won any battle, it is sad to know that they “lost” a battle as well.
I find it disappointing since it seems to me that what happened yesterday was merely out of Trillanes’s and Lim’s aggressiveness. I’m not a soldier, but so far as I know, a strategic soldier won’t attack without a fight plan—I just hope that yesterday’s act was just a preface, so that my claim of “kagaguhan” would be deleted.
At any rate, the kagaguhan of these two resulted in civil unrest, and most unfortunately, the awakening of more gagos. As they say, “mas gago ka kung papatol ka sa gago.”
Indeed, the administration through the military, showed how “gago” they are when they sent troops and tanks to the Manila Peninsula and forced Trillanes and Lim out. Let’s assume that the Magdalo group made the first fire; should they shower the newly-renovated hotel with bullets, and ransack it’s door via tank? This makes me think: “Is Trillanes and Lim that dangerous?” This I cannot answer.
The papers this morning reported that this is part of the military’s “shock tactic”; to frighten the rebels and eventually capture them. Indeed, their “shock tactic” worked out; shocking tourists and civilians as well. I could not help but think, does the “shock tactic” also aim to create an impression of indispensability? “We’re in power; mess with us or face our tanks.”
But the government didn’t stop the escalation of their “kagaguhan.” At around 8:00 P.M., Malacañang declared a curfew in NCR, Central and Southern Luzon. Similar to the dark days of Martial Rule, Filipinos were prohibited to get out from 12:00 MN to 5:00 in the morning. Although, as the police has said, this is more lenient—since they gave exemptions to those who are working on night shifts—this curfew sure affected a lot of Filipinos—business, leisure, etc. Curfew is not that bad, but does the situation really call for it? Why the haste?
While the “kagaguhan” of the Magdalo group is on the level of “action”, the kagaguhan of the government is on the level of “reaction.” I’m not a Physics major, and I don’t know much about Newton’s idea on “…when there’s an action there’s a reaction,” but as I see it, the reactions seem to be “O.A—over acting.”
Tsk tsk. I knew it. The rise of coffee shops doesn’t do any good to the government officials.
