AGOT ISIDRO vs. PRRD: Four Lessons Learned

I will not make a long introduction for this blog article of mine. Here are four lessons I learned from Agot Isidro's post:

First, the singer-actress’ “psychopath” labeling of PRRD will travel down in history as one of the most blatant and scathing remarks that had ever been told about a Philippine president, if not the most. Her remark came out of nowhere to the surprise of Malacañang and its supporters, but to the delight of those who belong to the other side.

Nobody saw it coming as she aired such remark on social media in a thief in the night manner. As a result, it caught the nation flat-flooted.

Where could she be coming from?

Second, such labeling and how the Filipinos reacted to it have shown how divided our nation is. Isidro reacted to how PRRD has been abrasively distancing himself from the US which is our close ally for many decades already. PRRD cannot please everyone most especially those who did not vote for him. It will take a lifetime time for these people to get used to his behavior and unpopular decisions. Even before the elections, many were not in favor of him. Perhaps, it is because PRRD does not fit into that typical goody-goody presidential mold or cast.

Sadly, such culture of divisiveness has eroded our values, as manifested by Isidro’s discourteous remark towards our own President. On the other end, PRRD himself has his own share of impolite remarks that he unleashed during his speeches.

But no matter how appalling his character is perceived to be, he is still our President. PRRD still deserves respect, most especially from his own kababayans.

If we ourselves cannot respect our own topmost leader, then no one else from other countries will.

Third, Isidro was simply expressing herself on that fateful day of October 17, 2016, which is one of the highlights of being in a democratic country. After Marcos’ downfall in 1986, freedom of expression has abounded, and abounds continuously in all information or media channels. 

But such freedom is always in danger of being abused. 

Every Filipino enjoys the right to express oneself. A word of caution though - there is a huge difference between exercising one’s right, and exercising it properly. It is perfectly fine to criticize and voice our opinions, but this should be done in a decent and tactful manner.

What aggravated Isidro’s remark is her status as a celebrity. If the “psychopath” remark had been uttered by an ordinary citizen, then nobody might make a big deal out of it and it might not generate a tsunami-like effect. But Ms. Isidro, you are a celebrity. A certain type of behavior is expected of you. 

You have placed not just PRRD in a bad light, but you yourself as well.

And lastly, what will eventually lead to the downfall of our country, or any country for that matter, will not be external threats nor internal conflicts, but the lack of unity of its people and lack of support for the government.

It cannot be expected of all millions of Filipinos to rally behind all the efforts the government and PRRD are doing, for we may not agree with some of those.

But on our end as Filipinos, we must be the catalysts for the ascent or rising of our country, not the downfall of it.