Thread by @rapplerdotcom

36 Years: The promise of an inauguration twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

As Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will take his oath in two days, @beacupin talks to University of the Philippines historian @Xiao_Chua in this episode of #36Years. Watch the full discussion and follow this thread for highlights.

@beacupin @Xiao_Chua Why do we have inaugurations in the first place?

@Xiao_Chua: Inaugurations are celebrations of democracy…You celebrate the fact that you’ve elected a new leader and the terms and limits of the presidency are respected. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua on the role of inaugurations in the building of a nation: It’s your way of telling the world that we are a nation, we know how to work in a democracy. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua says inviting foreign leaders and dignitaries shows that a nation recognizes other states, while asserting their sovereignty as an independent state. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: We want to show the world that we know how to do it (transfer of power) the way how the diplomats and the international community do it. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: If Duterte has an inkling on China than on America, mukhang the Americans are wooing the Philippines [again]…. But as we all know, Bongbong Marcos has relations with the ruling Chinese Communist Party. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua says he hopes incoming president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would have an independent foreign policy and won’t give up the Philippines’ territorial sovereignty. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: I respect the United States as our ally for a long time while recognizing our tumultuous relationship with them. We’re learning…that we should always get into consideration our interests. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: We need ceremonies to reinforce some of our beliefs [and] traits. We might not like the person in power, but he is the president. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua mentions the constant message of the inauguration is to show that we will be moving forward as a country, learning the lessons from the past to make a better future. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: We don’t gloat in an inauguration. That’s improper because the inauguration is a call for unity – true unity. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua says the climbing of the stairs is his favorite inauguration tradition, pointing to a time in history when President Manuel Quezon became president of the Philippine Commonwealth. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: Human rights aspect of the inauguration [is] that the new president climbs the stairs of Malacañang and claims possession of the Palace as the president of the people...No one has to beg for his life dahil Pinoy ang pangulo ng bansa. #36Years

@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: One thing that is awkward but very beautiful would be the outgoing president and the incoming president going inside the car…That’s very interesting, especially kung magkaaway sila. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua says it would be good for ordinary Filipinos to know the tradition and symbolisms of commemorative events such as inaugurations. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua on solemnity during the oath-taking: You’re putting sacredness to the moment…. I see an added reason why we should stand up [during the moment] because that...moment means we should also take our oath…with the president to watch... if he is going to fulfill it.

@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua on the inauguration: It’s a ritual that we do because when we watch that…it makes us one…nation. It’s a very good reminder that we should be concerned with what’s happening around us. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: Inaugural parades are also important because it’s a civic military parade. So you have civic leaders and NGOs, pero puro military parade nalang….It’s a salute of the armed forces, but it’s also a celebration of the strength of our military. #36Years

@beacupin @Xiao_Chua On how personality politics affect inauguration ceremonies

.@Xiao_Chua: It depends on how the inauguration is handled. The simpler it is, the better…. You have to realize that in the pre-colonial Philippines, malakas ang ‘datu’ politics; the family is part of the datu. #36Years

@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: There's one thing that we forget about this datu leadership; the datu is not an autocratic leader, he’s a very consultative leader. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: He [datu] is also the most skilled warrior of them all, the best ‘bagani’. Even if he passes this on to the son, he must be able to prove that he can be the best bagani in town. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: We should call it bagani leadership. 'Bagani’ means bayani, which is service to others without expecting anything in return. Ito dapat ang ginagawa ng servant-leaders. #36Years

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@beacupin @Xiao_Chua On separate inauguration ceremonies for the president and VP:

.@Xiao_Chua: Hindi maganda kasi the VP is a support of the president. Of course they say it’s important, the second most powerful person in the land, but constitutionally, they wait for the president to die. #36Years

@beacupin @Xiao_Chua .@Xiao_Chua: Si Robredo, tinanggalan ng posisyon, but she made the vice presidency consequential just by being herself; coordinating people and private health and gov't funds to help people. In many ways, ang tingin sa VP, mas importante kaysa noon. #36Years

@beacupin @Xiao_Chua On Sara and Bongbong’s separate inauguration ceremonies:

.@Xiao_Chua: The Marcoses could have not won if they did not say they would continue Duterte’s legacy. Sara was doing it not because she was against Bongbong, but because she had a separate power base. #36Years