I didn’t want to comment anymore because she may already have had enough of the attacks I’d dare say she deserves to receive because of her insensitivity. But then I came across two political ads helmed by Kris Aquino – one in support of Leni Robredo, and the other in support of Francis Tolentino – and (Hera help me!) I just couldn’t control myself to let Kris’s “me first” way of seeing things pass…
In Robredo’s ad, Kris said Robredo reminds her of Mommy Cory; so she wants the people to vote for Leni because through Leni, we can have another Cory. As Kris mumbled her words, I kept thinking Mendiola massacre, Mendiola massacre, Mendiola massacre… And we’re only touching on one of the many failures of Cory. Robredo doesn’t have Cory’s baggage; but Kris now is.
Beyond this, though, this “my family is what you need” attitude of Kris is just overwhelming, this “only my family knows what’s good for you, so you better find someone that resembles us” is sickening because – if Kris is honest – her family’s privileged position really only allows the likes of her to retain entitlements/privileges (i.e. they think they’re better than the rest of us)…
In Tolentino’s ad, the words that stayed in my mind were Kris’s assertion that Tolentino was “maaasahan ng aming pamilya (someone the Aquino family can rely on)”. Again, somehow, Kris managed to make it about her and her family; about ensuring that they are “protected”. Should he win a seat in the Senate, will Tolentino turn a blind eye if Aquino’s “kapalpakan” are investigated/sanctioned? If we believe Kris’s words, this sure sounds probable. This is not fair to Tolentino, of course, who may think otherwise; though I wonder why he allowed Kris to claim this in that ad of his…
DAP? PDAF? SAF44? Kidapawan massacre? Manila hostage crisis? Allegations of bribery to impeach Renato Corona? Broken promises re FOI bill? For Kris, it’s almost like she’s saying let’s forget all those; her family is – simply – beyond reproach…
And this is the problem with this country’s “me first” way of life – arguably best seen in our political system (corruption happens because of the desire to retain for oneself power), and best exemplified by Kris. Every time she opens her mouth, it’s always about her, her, her… And I thought Ninoy died for the Filipino people…
We may have been complicit with this early on (hello Pido Dida!); but no more. But Kris, I think, doesn’t know how to distinguish when people no longer laugh with her, but are laughing at her…
People walked from one to another part of the country to beg for rice, and they were gunned down for doing so. Kris’s version: Napagod ako for walking three kilometers (I got tired for walking three kilometers).
People spend approximately six hours every day to go to work and return home after work, and they’re sick and tired of it. Kris’s version: I am entitled to ride the Presidential chopper because I paid millions in taxes (as if she’s rubbing on our faces “It’s more than any of you will earn in a lifetime!”).
People walked for miles because of the the bad planning during APEC; a woman even gave birth during the traffic chaos. Kris’s version: I got sunburned touring the APEC VIPs, so “quits” na.
LGBT people continue begging for their relationships to be recognized. Take note that Kris already had NUMEROUS failed heterosexual relationships, yet Kris’s response: We are not Americans; we’re not yet ready. Or, sige na nga, maybe let LGBT people have civil unions to prevent promiscuity.
Generosity for common Filipinos is giving spare coins (or food) to beggars. Kris’s version of generosity: Give Boy Abunda a bag that costs P800,000 (and supposedly not brag about it but definitely make sure the whole world knows about it as if to highlight how good she is as a friend [again, it becomes about her, her, her]).
Here’s the thing: I have spoken to a lot of people who will vote for Rodrigo Duterte and – get this – Bongbong Marcos just to spite the Aquinos. And while this anger vote has more to do with Noynoy’s incompetence, the continuing neglect of the entire country (even of imperial Manila – e.g. think MRT), et cetera, even if I based this reaction solely on the anger that Kris incites, can we really blame these people?
