Why Should We Watch "Juan Tamad at Mr. Shoo-Li sa Mongolian Barbecue: The Movie" This Election Season?

In the 1991 film Juan Tamad at Mr. Shoo-Li sa Mongolian Barbecue: The Movie, political and social maladies which continue to plague the exercise of democracy in the Philippines up to this day are depicted. The official campaign season for the 2025 midterm elections has started, so viewing this movie is highly recommended.

There is a hilarious scene in which Tong-ressman Manhik Manaog (played by Leo Martinez) convened the citizens of the newly-independent country of Lawa-Lawaan. He provided a skewed interpretation of democracy - a government of the people, POOR the people, and BUY the people. This version of democracy still resonates in the Philippine society.

 

The scene unfolded in the following manner: After the Independence Day celebrations, the country faced the challenge of forming a leadership comprising its citizens. Manhik Manaog lectured representatives from various parts of the country about the rudiments of democracy. He explained the political system by interpreting the quote "Democracy is of the people, for the people, and by the people."

With "of the people," Manhik Manaog meant people who, like him, are intelligent (or cunning) enough. He changed "for the people" into "POOR the people." Now comes the "by the people" part: Manhik Manaog replaced "by" with "BUY."

Democracy, essentially in Manhik Manaog's words, is buying the poor people so intelligent (or cunning) officials like him will remain in power.

Meanwhile, Juan Tamad is being hounded by his debtors. In order to pay his debts, the debtors convinced Juan to run in the elections as Tong-ressman. They believe that if Juan wins, he would be able to pay his debts.

Several other themes are reflected in a funny, darkly humorous manner. Guns, goons and gold are still the devices used by the crooked politicians to perpetuate themselves in power. In every election cycle, this kind of politicians is repeatedly elected by the people - perhaps out of fear and the lack of initiative to elevate standards. 

You will laugh at the manner the movie depicts red tape, corruption and government inefficiency.  You will lament that these problems still hinder the path to progress all Filipinos aspire for.

The open-ended ending means that the story is still unfinished. It led me to the thinking that generations of new characters are experiencing and will experience the same chapter of the said maladies. There is still no happy ending in sight to the flawed chapter.

                                                                                                                              

Video Credit: YouTube / TPLP Channel

It's Juan Ponce Enrile's 100th Birthday Today

In my opinion, today is a historic Valentine's Day (and Ash Wednesday) because a colorful figure in Philippine politics is celebrating his 100th birthday. Juan Ponce Enrile is the name of the man. Currently serving as the Presidential Legal Counsel, Enrile is the oldest incumbent public official in the Philippines. He is also entitled to a 100,000 peso cash gift from the government. (An infinitesimal sum compared with his net worth). Also known by the nickname Johnny, he has become a staple in pop culture in the past few years because of the memes that poke fun on his longevity.  

Many people are in awe with his ability to stay alive that long while supposedly possessing mental clarity. (I am one of those who wish to achieve that feat in the decades to come.) My interest in Enrile's longevity started in 2012, when ABS-CBN Publishing released his memoir. Enrile was already 88 years old then, so many observers thought that the book was meant to be some sort of a "swan song." The following passage is even found in the back cover: "I have been judged and condemned many times. But I fear only the ultimate judgment of God and of history."

If I am not mistaken, the book had a price tag of about 1,200 pesos at the time of its release. Although I wanted to get hold of a copy, I ruled against shelling out the amount. I would have to work for a few days to earn the amount needed. Furthermore, there were voices saying the book was too expensive for what some reviewers labeled as "fiction." (To be fair, I would also embellish my own memoir if I would write mine.) 

The publishing house is part of ABS-CBN, a multimedia giant in the country. As part of the book's promotion, the then-active TV station of the company aired Enrile's story as a two-part episode of the drama anthology "MMK." Bugoy Cariño and Enrique Gil portrayed Enrile in his years as a child and adult, respectively. (Side Trivia: Enrique Gil's movie "I am Not Big Bird" is going to open in movie theaters today.)

I forgot about the book until it came to my consciousness six years later. Let me tell you a background story. Before the work-from-home era, I used to commute from the province to my office in Quezon City. There was a policy that anyone logging in beyond 10 a.m. was considered late. One day in July 2018, it was already 10 a.m. and the UV Express van I was aboard was just approaching SM North EDSA. In instances like that one, I would alight the van and proceed to the mall. I would have early lunch and do some window shopping. I would do bulakbol first before working.

On that day, I decided to eat bulalo at the Food Court and make a pilgrimage to National Bookstore. In the latter establishment, I saw shopping carts holding copies of Enrile's memoir I was planning to buy about six years ago. I was amazed that it was on sale for only 125 pesos. Of course, I promptly bought a copy, along with Asuncion David Maramba's "Seven in the Eye of History." The book eventually disappeared from the store's bookshelves and became some sort of a collector's item. In 2021 or 2022, I saw a Facebook post of a media personality saying that she bought a second-hand copy for 3,000 pesos. 😅 For now, I have no plans to sell my copy.

Due to work-related and personal obligations, as well as the challenges of commuting, it took me another two years to finally read Enrile's memoir. (My thoughts about the book will be the subject of a future post.) As my reading intensified during the pandemic, I sought more online articles to supplement my book list. One of those articles is about him attributing his long life to a vegetable called saluyot. In an effort to boost my immunity, I also started to include this vegetable in my diet most days of the week. It can then be safely asserted that Enrile is not just a pop culture figure but also a health influencer. 

Remembering the May 11, 1992 Elections

Twenty years ago on this day, synchronized elections was held in the Philippines. Thousands of candidates aspired for positions from President to municipal councilor.

I was still not a registered voter during that time, but I will share what I remember about the 1992 elections at the national level.

That was the first time presidential elections were held in the country since the 1986 People Power EDSA Revolution. There were seven aspirants in the presidential race.

Fidel V. Ramos of  Lakas-NUCD, Miriam Defensor-Santiago of PRP, Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. of NPC, Ramon Mitra, Jr. of LDP, Imelda Marcos of KBL, Jovito Salonga of Liberal Party, and Salvador Laurel of Nacionalista Party.

Then-president Corazon C. Aquino had the chance to run for a second term. She, however, endorsed instead the candidacy of  Ramos, who eventually won the plurality with 23.58% of the vote. Defensor-Santiago placed second with 19.72%.

Actor-turned-mayor-turned-senator Joseph Estrada of PMP won as vice president.

Other contenders were Marcelo Fernan of LDP, Emilio Osmeña of Lakas-NUCD, Ramon Magsaysay, Jr.of  PRP, Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. of PDP-Laban, Vicente Magsaysay , Eva Estrada-Kalaw of Nacionalista Party

Voters also chose 24 senators out of a field of 166: the top twelve having the most number of votes were mandated to serve a six-year term until 1998. The remaining twelve have their three-year terms ending in 1995.

Many celebrities participated and won in this race, led by Vicente "Tito" Sotto III and Ramon Revilla, Sr.

Twenty years has passed, and many aspects of Filipino life has changed. It seems that politics hasn't.