Thread by @sejoalzir

BBM, COCAINE ADDICTION, AND FILIPINO LOGIC

In anthropology we also study how humans think—ethnic philosophy, nativist logic, local thinking, tribal thought, etc. How we use our Minds, after all, is shaped by our society and culture. Yes, Filipinos have their own way of thinking.

Perhaps you have experienced this scenario: you want your visitor to leave, so you tell him it'll be raining soon or you're going somewhere or anything other than being direct—"You should leave now". Filipino minds are used to indirect thinking--pahapyaw, pasaring, or parinig.

Another one is linear thinking, a different kind. Filipino's number one pastime is gossip. The initial talk is about an egg, and a few days or tsismosos and tsismosas later, the talk turns into a full narrative—maybe about an omelet, chicken or adobo. We rely on what is possible.

Filipinos also have circular thinking that's best described by this saying: "Sa hinaba-haba ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy". In English it's beating around the bush. Filipinos say Tallano Gold, Yamashita Treasure, etc. The ultimate end is the beginning—ill-gotten wealth.

We also have skeptical thinking. Even Filipino kids know this adage: to see is to believe. Filipinos are so used to this thinking that they become victims of the budol-budol gang. They use their eyes, not their minds. A glittering bar of gold above a stack of bricks is enough.

The last one I can think of is pop-up thinking. In Filipino, this is mema—merong masabi. A good example is how anti-Robredo Filipino use lutang, lugaw, bobo, and tanga because they have nothing to say about her politics and her qualities as a politician. Basta merong masabi lang.

Now, let's apply indirect, linear, circular, skeptical or pop-up thinking to truthful propaganda Filipinos can understand easily because it's their logic. Let's use Marcos' cocaine addiction that should be widely spread since it's about social justice and cognitive impairment.

Duterte already did the indirect thinking for us. He exposed Marcos' drug addiction without naming him, but Filipinos knew who that was—Marcos. Remember, they are used to indirect thinking. That's why blind items are the thing in Philippine media because they exploit our logic.

We can use linear thinking to complete what Duterte started. A drug addict isn't a good leader or president. He'll just cause too much chaos. He won't perform his duties well. He'll bankrupt the government. He'll borrow money left and right. Think Duterte, another drug addict.

Marcos' cocaine addiction is difficult to assail, rebut, erase, or stifle. They can justify the effects of cocaine on his face and brain with a list of reasons, but in the end, Duterte's revelation, the beginning, will remain a bombshell. Remember, Duterte is their trusted tatay.

Skeptical thinking is perfect as far as the cocaine addict propaganda is concerned. Filipinos are visual. They see his coke jaw, rapid blinking, jarring stutter, droopy face, and other signs they see on other addicts. All we have to do is remind and bombard them with his images.

We should expect pop-up thinking to come from Marcos' camp. His handlers and supporters will say black propaganda, negative campaigning, effects of covid-19 or anything just to respond. In truth, they can't silence the truthful accusation. His face and thought disorder are proof.

His addiction isn't just about his ruined face and cognitive impairment, but also social justice or equality. Too many addicts have been killed already, yet Marcos is still alive. Money, influence, and power? Poor Filipinos should be incited by invoking Marcos and anti-poor EJK.

Done.

*Filipinos