Che Guevara in Indian politics

Tamil Nadu, India, December 2015.

Carnival in the Philippines = Elections

Panem et circenses...

Rosario, Batangas, May 2010.

Imelda kisses glass

The Filipina hero of eccentric moves strikes again. Now at sweet 80 Imelda Marcos starts campaigning as congressional candidate for the national election on 10 May 2010. Her campaign began in Batac, Ilocos Norte, where her embalmed husband rests. Her trademark taste for the theatrical may bring her back into political life.

I can’t wait for her next move when she brings Ferdinand out of his coffin to take the seat in congress together. Only in the Philippines as the locals would say.

Photo from the net as I wasn't invited to the shamelessly political photocall held at the mausoleum in the basement of one of her homes up north in the Philippines.

15th President of the Philippines Ms Kris Aquino?

Will Kris Aquino, the 29th most beautiful Filipina and youngest child of former president Corazon Aquino and Benigno Aquino, Jr. will win the race to become the 15th President of the Philippines in 2010?

Since the world is ruled by showbiz and dynasties as exemplified by the U.S.A., we can be assured that the Philippines will continue to follow big brother. Congrats, Kris! What a good move to start the campaign now by bringing total care to the country.

Photo from Ortigas, Metro Manila, November 2007.

Max Soliven is immortal

Election time is high time for journalists!

Ironically, the election-related news from today can’t be covered by the person they are about, emblematic journalist and Philippine Star publisher Max Soliven. He died on 24 November 2006.

Max Soliven did not only die in two cities. He could also have voted yesterday, being still on the San Juan voting lists as his daugther, Sarah Soliven, discovered.

The question remains, is the state of affairs in the Philippines a journalists’ heaven or hell?

Photo borrowed from ABS-CBN, 15 May 2007 with thanks to Gü.

Iboto

In today's midterm elections the people of the Philippines could vote to get the right candidates for the 17,000 national and local positions.

This morning, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano (known from the ‘Hello Garci scandal’), and very important in this entertainment-driven country the actress Susan Roces were the first to vote. May Iwa, Ehra, Karel, Joyee, Amanda and Eula all win (please click on the photo above to see the candidates better). I am sure the six beauties will guarantee a better future for the Philippines.

Photo from this Monday morning (14 May 2007) along EDSA, Mandaluyong. Note there are no cars on this usually fully jammed intercity highway. Gloria was kind enough to provide a holiday to her folks. Why on earth can the Philippines not vote on a Sunday? Is it not the goal of all politicians to make the economy more competitive?

Glamorous Elections

Wherever you are these days in the Philippines you will either run into a political event or being followed by cars with loudspeakers paying tribute to the political candidate to be elected.

Often popular songs with easy to remember lyrics in praise of the politician are being used. These songs are so powerful that common people would remember the name of a candidate, not his capability as a leader, just how captivating and promising his slogans are.

Politics are quite similar to show business in the Philippines: Get the right rhythm, get the feelings right! Everything has to be easily packed so that it can be instantly consumed. It’s like buying bright colored tomatoes or mangoes which are often bought because of their shine. The sane buyer knows that shine does often the trick and that the product may be bland. Especially in the countryside, voters should know better that appearance is not equal to taste/trust.

Since all candidates use the same tricks, campaigns turn into brainwashing. No chance to escape. If you try to escape, make sure you know where you are heading to, road signs are mostly buried under election posters.

Photo from somewhere in Agusan del Norte, Mindanao in April 2007.

No chance for fair elections in the Philippines!

According to today’s Manila Bulletin, the United States of America will observe the upcoming Philippine midterm elections. Why U.S. observers after the debacles during the 2000 and 2004 U.S. presidential elections?

If the Philippine government declares the elections on May 14^th honest and fair, why not sending elected senators and congressmen as observers to the 2008 U.S. elections?

Bloody McDonalds and bloody elections

Yes, there is a connection between McDonalds and the upcoming elections in the Philippines! It seems burgers and voting are bloody businesses as seen on the two pictures taken on Good Friday 2007 in San Pedro Cutud. The picture above is showing the penitents spreading their blood over the McDonalds store; the second picture is showing a candidat for the upcoming elections in the Philippines. On the second picture it is quite easy to spot the blood from the penitents on the election poster. You might want to blow up the McDonalds store or you better believe me that their burgers and water were looking no different than the election poster.