Mang Pandoy, the symbol of Filipino poverty during FVR's time, died due to tuberculosis. After being used as FVR's poster boy during his administration, Mang Pandoy's body lies somewhere in Payatas, albeit without a decent funeral.
His death symbolized one thing--how government really thinks about the poor in our society. The Filipino poor is just worth a photo op.
He's only worth during corporate social responsibility (CSR) campaigns when companies invest huge money to "give back" what they stole from the people. He's only worth as ballot fodder. And when government needs warm bodies to counteract the Movement for Change. Such is the fate of the poor in this country.
I shudder at the thought of what had happened to those bangkang papel boys--Gloria's own poster boys. Will they suffer the fate of Mang Pandoy--neglected and thrown aside like a ragtag doll? Or will they rise up to the challenge of poverty and do something to change their lot?
Mang Pandoy's lungs collapsed, not because of the toxic fumes he's used to breathe. No. Mang Pandoy died ironically from a curable disease. TB is a pauper's disease. It just shows how government really treats us, poor people.
His death shows how alive poverty really is in this country.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you very much for reading my blog. You inspired me. But if you intend to put your name "anonymous", better not comment at all. Thanks!