The dream and the nightmare

There is something unusual about the aftermath of the Ultra Stampede of the Wowowee hopefuls that resulted in the death of 74 people. So much has been said by or heard from others about practically all the aspects of the incident, but somehow, there is an almost eerie silence from the families of the victims themselves, except perhaps for those who expressed their grief as interviewed on TV. By and large, the families of the victims seemingly have not expressed a view or stand on whether they think the programmers and/or the network are to be held liable or not.

Understanding this silence is important because it helps us look into the psyche of the Filipino people. For whatever it is worth, let me hazard a theory into this phenomenon:

First, I think they are silent (on the issue of whether the program crew or the network is to be held liable or not) because they are already being attended to by the network. The "tyranny of the urgent" or the immediate requires that when someone's needs (such as the need to transport the body or bury the dead) are being attended to, it is not advisable to comment or complain in the meantime about what else should be done.

Second, I think the families of the victims, knowing that their deceased kin were the ones who desperately wanted a shot at instant money through the program, would not want to think ill of the program (as in fact, many of them wanted the program to continue).

Third, I think it is because many of them have made Willie Revillame their idol, and they have an affection or love for him, as is usual in poverty-ridden Philippines, where movie stars who give the ordinary Filipino joy or entertainment are adored and loved, and are propelled to public office even as high as the presidency of the land.

Fourth, I think it is also because, inspite of what had already happened, they would want to take a crack at that chance by going to Wowowee again.

Fifth, I think it is because the "fate mentality" (also loosely referred to in Pilipino as "suerte") is so ingrained in the Filipino psyche that if "fate" or suerte would have it that 73 people will die in tragic death in their desperation for wealth, so be it, as it is the suerte of Manny Pacquiao that he has become a multimillionaire, or that others in previous Wowowee programs have struck gold, or that this or that has won the Pinoy Big Brother. This is in the same vein that one would call another "suerte" who has a child who has gone abroad and is able to send dollars back home. The simple and sweeping Filipino explanation for all this is "suerte".

Whatever it is, this silence shows a certain tenderness in the Filipino character. As to what this tenderness is, and as to whether this is good or bad, is subject of much debate:

For some, who are more conscious of right and duty, this "tenderness" is denominated as weakness, as is true with those afflicted with the spirit of mendicancy.

For others, this capacity of the Filipino to endure ignominy, pain, and discomfort (standing in line for days on end is ignominy, pain, and discomfort) is an indictment of how his poverty has been exploited by others.

For others still, this is a tribute to the resiliency of the Filipino character, which, like the bamboo, always bends, but does not break, which makes the Filipino adaptable wherever you send him to, whether in the deserts of the Middle East or the frozen regions of Alaska.

Whatever and whyever this is, I think there a few things we can well agree upon:

First, if a country can tolerate the sight of myriads of people, very poor, pressing themselves for days on end just to get a shot at instant wealth through a TV program, even without the tragedy of a stampede, is a scalding indictment that the government and the system of that country has failed its people.

Second, in the long run, to work hard and to sacrifice is the better road to economic security and wealth.

Third, giving people jobs is infinitely much better than baiting them with instant millions and house and lot.

Honest hard work and persistence is the road to fulfillment of a dream. Instant wealth is often the formula for a nightmare.*