The Chronicles Of A Stubborn Filipina

The past few days we have been barraged with news about a monster crocodile and a poor security guard punched by a congressman because he didn’t want a security check on his Porsche.

I love this picture. A 21 ft. crocodile was caught by villagers in Agusan Del Sur using makeshift traps. All determined to protect their community after a fisherman and a carabao was killed. Determined and ready to face death and danger that comes with trying to entrap a dangerous creature. It was a story of triumph as they caught it alive. The crocodile was said to be a 100 yrs.old. Nearly impossible to catch is you ask me,but the villagers tried, pushed themselves and succeeded. Now,they have found the courage to try to catch the bigger crocodile at their area who they feel is also preying at their community. I am pretty sure,they will triumph this time too. The town mayor, Cox Elorde said that they would be putting the huge crocodile in a tourism park would turn it “from a threat into an asset.”

Congressmen in the Philippines have been long compared to crocodiles. Just like that crocodile,it’s nearly impossible to stop the practices the abusive ones do. Some of them are bullies. It has been so bad that President Noy has focused on it during the SONA :

“Over the years, the wang-wang had come to symbolize abuse of authority. It was routinely used by public officials to violate traffic laws, inconveniencing ordinary motorists—as if only the time of the powerful few, and no one else’s, mattered. Instead of behaving like public servants, they acted like kings. This privilege was extended to their cronies and patrons, who moved along the streets as if they were aristocracy, indifferent to those who were forced to give way and were left behind. Abusing privilege despite promising to serve—this is the wang-wang mindset; this is the mindset of entitlement.”

A SG Binayog had the courage and the bravery to report the big, bad, bodyguard protected crocodile in a Porsche who hit him for doing his job. The congressman’s name is not even worth blog space. SG Binayog’s voice was heard and gave some sort of hope to millions more. I salute you, SG Binayog. But it ends there. The poor guard fears for his life and this is not surprising. But it seems,there is a chance to be heard. It would have been a story of triumph if only he wasn’t alone.

What can little minnows do against big bad crocodiles? He acted like a king,Mr.President,what should he do? They have money,they have power,they have guns and goons. What can someone with an 8 hr.job, no connections and definitely no power do?

 Thousands of people like him should be heard and helped. Like those villagers who feared for their lives and wanted to protect their community,they did it together. I don’t think big bad crocodiles are a match against people determined to protect themselves and their community. Maybe in time, our congressmen can be assets instead of threats too. If only we all try to be determined enough and have the courage to fight them.