Brain Dump on Two Joses: Jose Rizal and "Mang Jose."

Today, Filipinos commemorate the anniversary of the heroism of Dr. Jose Rizal. But my brain dump is also about another Jose, the subject of a song by the band Parokya ni Edgar.

Dr. Jose Rizal, circa 1890s

I enjoy listening to the song Mang Jose (Tagalog: Mister Jose) -- funny yet full of social commentary. Let me share a few lyrics to this song:

"Mang Jose, Mang Jose Ang superhero na pwedeng arkilahin Mang Jose, parang si Daimos din Ngunit pagkatapos ay bigla kang sisingilin Mang Jose! (Jose)"

"Mang Jose, Mang Jose
The superhero you can rent
Mang Jose, just like Daimos too
But afterwards he’ll suddenly charge you
Mang Jose! (Jose)"

Released in 2005, the Parokya ni Edgar album Halina sa Parokya (Tagalog: Come to the Parokya) features the song "Mang Jose"

Why was Jose chosen as the name of our superhero? Perhaps to remind everyone of the contributions of Dr. Jose Rizal -- our national hero -- to our identity as Filipinos.

Nowadays, a person does not need to be executed in Bagumbayan (presently called Luneta) to be proclaimed a hero.

There are lots of heroes, and in this context, they are the working class, especially those forced to work even during holidays.

Returning to the song, Daimos may be a metaphor for the mode of industrial-technological production. (NOTE: Daimos refers to a 1970s anime television series about a super mecha fighter)

In this zeitgeist, life moves very fast. We cannot deny that we are part of this environment.

How then can a person be proclaimed a hero? It depends on the beliefs we grew up with; there are many answers.

For me, when someone does things for the good of others, that is heroism. When someone does things others refuse to do, that is still heroism.

The song says Mang Jose suddenly charges a fee. The reasons vary, depending on the situation.

There are those who do favors for others with one hand, while the other hand is outstretched—waiting for payment or some form of return.

Thereos nothing wrong with this as long as the charge is fair, not exorbitant.

But then, let’s stop calling it heroism. Remove the mask.

Let us return to the topic of the working class. Many of them are like Mang Jose, belonging to the bottom of the "triangle."

Those at the top of the "triangle" seem to disdain such work and pass it to the Mang Joses at the bottom.

After those at the bottom perform the difficult and disdained" tasks, little or no credit goes to them.

What is worse, while Mang Jose struggles, the slave driver even has the nerve to get angry when unexpected situations arise.

These slave drivers take delight in imposing unreasonable pressure, knowing only how to give orders, without considering Mang Jose's humble condition.

Mang Jose earns very little, yet heavy tasks are given to people like him. The wages are not commensurate with the weight of the work.

They have the right to charge, and it is reasonable to fight for this. They need to earn for their own needs and those of their families. We cannot blame them for defending this right.

It would be better if they were given the chance to hone their potential by meeting their basic needs and gaining further education.

The urgency of achieving these goals grows stronger because of the rapid advance of technology. The problem is, given the state of the economy, they must first address the hunger in their stomachs.

Before it is too late, may they be given what they deserve. If the working class disappears, where will civilization go?

Official Music Video