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ROYAL, royal, it’s not a ball
Just smile, I’m in heaven
Royal, royal, it’s not a ball
You replied, ‘I just don’t know.
The lyrics are familiar but… Oh. It should be “Mahal kita” and not royalty.
In February 2019, former President Rody Duterte proposed to change the name of the country from Philippines to Maharlika.
When BBM’s father was president, former Senator Eddie Ilarde, through a bill filed by the latter, also proposed the same.
Since my little brain fell asleep during history classes, I Googled the meaning of nobility, and so I discovered its English translation: “free man.” So, does that mean that if you’re free, you’re automatically royalty?
During the Marcos years in the ’70s and ’80s, before BBM’s father imposed martial law and especially when the country was under martial law, Pinoys felt that they were not free. Censored news, controlled media, Marites was not the term at that time but people were whispering to each other, afraid to be heard. Students participating in anti-Marcos rallies are the norm. Afternoon and evening classes are sometimes canceled due to—take your pick—anti-Marcos rallies, frat wars, or floods.
When the Marcoses were sent to Hawaii in February 1986 during the original People Power, Filipinos expected that these rallies would be stopped. But they were replaced by coup attempts aimed at Aunt Cory.
That’s probably the reason why I learned to hate History more. I was never interested in History as a student, and when the truth started to bite, I hated History even more.
There is this saying: “History is written by the victors.” If you think about that, you will start to doubt the Bible. And other books written before you were born. You were not there to witness the events, Facebook only started in 2004 for Mark Zuckerberg’s friends and in 2006 for everyone else, so, what is your evidence of the past?
And just when you thought Duterte would be the last Filipino to talk about the maharlika, here it is again, reborn as the Maharlika Investment Fund.
Pinoy politicians should dare to use “maharlika” in any of their proposals if Pinoys are truly free.
But, for now, maybe the government offices should encourage some privileged government employees to work in their jobs for the monthly salary they receive.
Think about it: paid for nothing because they’ve been replaced. But the new chief can’t fire them because of, I don’t know—contracts Ursula signed? I have also fallen asleep during Law classes, so, I have no idea how government offices enforce the rules.
But when Ursula sang, “Poor unfortunate souls/In pain, in need,” these privileged employees could not relate because they were lucky now. Their old boss has left the building but the new boss has to let them. And their salaries are taken from the religious taxes paid by Pinoys.
Which makes Pinoys miserable souls. Tsk tsk
In pain. Well.
In need. And that’s when the Maharlika Investment Fund steps in—to fill the need? Hmmm.
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