Thread by @sejoalzir

GROUPPINK: ECHOES AND CHAMBERS

The 2022 Presidential Election is fast approaching, yet most Kakampinks are still comfortable in their giant echo chamber, enjoying nauseating echoes and fortifying their exclusive minichambers. This thread will explore grouppink--pink groupthink.

Exclusive power and political xenophobia have always been the core of Dilawan politics. They were observable during Cory's and Noynoy's terms--too many K's: kaibigan, kaklase, kakilala, kapamilya, kasosyo, kakampi, kasama, etc. They weren't really open to outsiders and unknowns.

Duterte has practiced exclusive power and political xenophobia too, and he is the worst--Davao group, fraternity brothers, Chinese friends, Tsinoy aides, etc. The only difference is that they let outsiders and unknowns join his government, but with limits and demarcation lines.

When Robredo declared that she wanted inclusive governance, people's participation, and open policy, that was the sign for me to believe that, indeed, she's never or no longer yellow. Her idea of leadership and governing isn't Dilawan. No echo chamber. No groupthink. No Cumbaya.

What's baffling to me is that her supporters are still clinging to their imaginary exclusive circle and xenophobic political beliefs. It seems they still haven't shaken off their yellowness. They still prefer the nostalgic comfort of the traditional ways and tactics of dilawans.

ECHOES

The current brouhaha about Robredo's K-pop hearting and "Karate Kid" images that make people cringe has displayed the dilawan behavior of Kakampinks--preaching to the choir, singing Cumbaya together, and serving each other's Kool-Aid. No character development. No change.

Many Kakampinks think there's nothing wrong with those cringey images. That right there is self-centeredness and egocentrism. They don't care about non-Kakampinks who cringe. That's no different from the Dilawan governments in the past that ignored the mad voices of non-Dilawans.

Even if Robredo dresses up as Mickey Mouse and does a headstand while singing the national anthem, Kakampinks will still find no oddity in it. They'll even justify or rationalize it because, well, they're rabidly pro-Robredo. But how about those independents and undecided voters?

Kakampinks shouldn't be justifying things, explaining concepts, rationalizing their mistakes and interpreting thoughts to their fellow Kakampinks. Again, they're already pro-Robredo. They should go outside their echo chamber where non-Kakampinks are still waiting to be convinced.

Instead of saying "there's nothing wrong with those cringey images", Kakampinks should be asking if those images will persuade or turn off undecided voters and fence-sitting independents. If they want Robredo to win, they should set aside their feelings and swallow their pride.

You shouldn't be convincing the already convinced. At this point in time, Kakampink votes aren't enough to deliver the presidency to Robredo. The prudent thing to do is be wary and sensitive to the feelings and thoughts of non-Kakampinks whose unsure votes are what Robredo needs.

There are Kakampinks who even justify that "Karate Kid" costume as meaningful in Japanese culture. Well, that's in Japan. That attire isn't part of the worldview of Filipinos. What they know and think is that it is similar to what that guy in "Karate Kid" wore. Look at the memes.

You Kakampinks may not consider it laughable or lampoonable, but there are other non-Kakampinks who find it cringey and unpresidential. Making them cringe and giving them unpresidential images of Robredo won't convince them to pick her as their president. Touch that damn asphalt.

If you check the foreign dignitaries who wore that Japanese attire, they didn't have bands around their heads and belts. In imagemaking, that's visual editing. One may still look presidential because he gets rid of what looks odd or funny on him. Image is everything in politics.

Remember, Roxas wasn't taken seriously by Filipinos in 2016 because of the cringey images that were spread online and swallowed whole by voters without verifying if they were photoshopped. Cringe is the opposite of cool, and cool politicians, most of the time, win elections.

CHAMBERS

Although Kakampinks are already in a huge echo chamber, they're still dividing themselves into minichambers. That's so dilawan or yellow—many groups and different interests. In Cory's term, for example, we saw the groups of generals, of old oligarchs, of relatives, etc.

Even during Noynoy's presidency, there were reformists, representatives of the elite, friends and classmates, supporters of Cory, etc.

Robredo's inclusive governance will erase that political chambering or exclusivist grouping. Her idea is a political movement for all Filipinos.

Yet Kakampinks are still clinging to the old chambering ways. There's a group that wants pabida and pabebe. Another one likes pabibo and pabongga. There are groups that face trolls squarely and counter their attacks. There are those that let trolls do their misinformation freely.

Oh, I am my own chamber, but without a personal interest. I choose Robredo because I think she is the right and deserving leader for the failing and falling Philippines. That's why I always make sure that I maintain and protect her professional, presidential, and political image.

I've never made graphics that diminish Robredo's image as the most educated among the presidential candidates and the most experienced in community work. I've posted what exudes professionalism, authoritativeness, experience, authenticity, strong will, visionary leadership, etc.

Even my threads about Robredo have been pushing the narrative that she's ready to lead, unleash reforms, and change the country. I haven't written about her being a jokester or a human piñata for laughs. She's way beyond that. Besides, the presidency isn't for comedians or mimes.

In political propaganda, PR campaign, and electoral messaging, one shouldn't create images and send out messages that reinforce or nod to the attacks against him. That's simply idiotic. When the attack is about weakness, he should be spreading strength and authority, not comedy.

Kakampinks extend their chambering to their target audience. They always say "The image or message isn't for you." It's about a presidential election and the plurality of votes. The audience should be all voters if you want Robredo to win. Cool or cringe has no age or generation.

They also have this concept to justify incoherent political efforts and unorganized campaign endeavors--gatekeeping, which is actually for those who have the power to exclude. A movement without a leader who organizes, manages, and controls it is a chaotic, indiscriminate mob.

That's why it's time for Robredo to treat the Pink Movement as an orchestra and herself as its conductor. The election is around the corner. We should be busy talking about policies and reforms, not justifying cringey images. After all, we want a good president, not a comedian.

Done.