Using Humor as Protest

June 20, 2005

The folks at TXTPower demostrate the Internet’s ability to get a discussion going on an issue.  Granted, ring tones and jokes won’t lead to this Administration’s downfall but they add a distinctly Pinoy flavor to this brewing political crisis.  Humor has always played its part in our political life.  Now, it’s being used to goad a sitting President into giving a formal reaction to the alleged illegal wire-taps.  If she doesn’t respond, everyone else will continue to have a laugh at her expense.

I guess our problems are so hard, we must laugh to make it through.  Erap raised it to greater heights by publishing the Erap-tion series of jokes. (Q:”What does Erap call his Zebra?”  A:”Spot!”).  And the one bright spot in Gloriagate is the surge of good GMA jokes.   Here’s one:  “Iggy Arroyo is laying low because he’s busy practicing how to sound like GMA.”

In the absence of any formal response from Malacanang, humor will have to play a bigger role in what should be a serious discussion on the state of Philippine democracy.

So, jump in.  Be a citizen.  Exercise your rights.  Download a ringtone.  Pass a GMA joke.