The cycle of false hopes

In the most recent elections, many actors and celebrities ran for public office. Some won, many lost. Even before the election period, there had been widespread criticism and disparagement from citizens who questioned the competence of celebrities in politics, arguing that governance is not their expertise.

Valid criticism or not, politics is a game of perception and communication, and a celebrity automatically has a significant advantage in the elections due to nationwide name recognition. This is why politics has become a ‘retirement job’ for many actors — they see it as an almost guaranteed path to power and income, even if they may severely lack knowledge in public leadership and lawmaking.

Before, I had spoken about the involvement of entertainers in politics, and I always urged actors who succeed in the elections to also champion the film industry and its workers, as this is a subject they should be familiar with. Certainly, celebrity or not, if voters have decided to put you in office, it is only incumbent to use that power to serve all, and be humble enough to educate yourself if you find your experience and credentials inadequate. Bravery is required when we throw our hats in the political arena with the intent to do good, but it’s probably brazen to desire to go there unprepared and in ignorance – and even be proud of it.

Work hard to be worthy

I will be the first to say that we can aspire to perform different roles, and if one has genuine passion for something, they can pursue it. But I will also say that we must work hard to be worthy and qualified for the job we are applying for – and have the integrity to carry the responsibilities and sacrifices attached to it.

Take being in the film industry: if an aspiring actor cares about the craft, he must develop his talent, attend workshops at least. An aspiring director cannot just take over a production team – you must know how to lead, be familiar with the language, the camera, the design and editing methods; you must understand the voices of the people you make the film for. We cannot legitimately lead if we do not know the situation on the ground. True, deceit and connections can get you somewhere – but you yourself know that you do not deserve your success. Not that this matters to people who only honor façades. In my case, for example, I can frankly say that my achievements are the result of personal effort and perseverance, with my team — not the influence of politicians, especially celebrity ones. Yes, we ‘beg and borrow’ from public and private groups to create films, but I trained like any beginner, and built my life through hard work. In entertainment or in politics, training and competence is necessary; you do not know what you do not know.

Problem with us

Critiquing politicians, voters and factions (whether from the political left, right, or industry sectors) – is a right. We must evaluate, though we, too, risk becoming arrogant, assuming our intellectual and moral superiority exempts us from scrutiny.

We must admit that the problem comes from both the candidates and the voters. The ill-equipped winning politicians rely heavily on advisers and staff to draft policies and laws for them, often rubber-stamping whatever their teams propose without real comprehension, the same way they are out of touch with the needs of their constituents. Later, they will also give seats to their relatives at the governing table.

On the other hand, whether through media or cultural narratives, Filipinos often view politicians — celebrity or not — as saviors who will single-handedly transform the nation. Each candidate becomes a symbol for change, and we place immense hope in them, only to end up disillusioned.

Of course, we also must understand how the desperate and less educated vote. It is not easy to examine and make the right choice if you are regularly hungry, knowing only what is around you, what others tell you. You have faith in whoever promises to lift you up, anyone who gives you crumbs.

Even those who are comfortable and have access to information can be easily swayed by fake news. We cannot preach because many of us are misled as long as we have hope.

Disappointment

As a Filipino and film industry worker who experienced the Martial Law era, I also hoped that life would improve after the dictatorship fell. When democracy returned, I rejoiced and pinned my hopes on leaders like the widowed president, who lacked administrative experience; later, on an actor-turned-president, and leaders from my home province, Pampanga. Today, we even have the son of a former president leading the country. Yet, despite these shifts, the cycle of hope and disappointment continues.

Elections in the Philippines are divisive, with families and friends clashing over political loyalties. We debate about them as if we are experts, lash out at each other for our electoral choices while we ourselves have consistently voted for politicians whose services have been unsatisfactory.

Decades go by, the Philippines has remained stagnant – if not worse. For many politicians, holding office is a chance to enrich themselves first; the nation comes later. Poverty has been normalized, accepted as inevitable. If you’re already in your 50s and still believe that your wishes as a voter are heard, maybe check yourself. We should realize that politicians lack the desire to change lives, for they often rely on our patience, resilience and desperation to keep them in power.

Voting like film-viewers

As voters, considering the options we had - do our votes reflect who we are? Do we vote for them because we relate with their flaws, so we keep forgiving them? Do we truly seek candidates with the capacity to help us, or do we let these people rule because we cannot properly guide our own lives? We talk of competent politicians, but who are the competent voters?

Sometimes it is painful to watch how we Filipinos can be so easy to please, often choosing like a film audience — preferring quick-relief entertainment instead of facing serious truths. Our elections are like popularity contests: dancing, singing, cracking jokes, appealing to our weaknesses and vices — sometimes these are all a candidate needs to get a landslide victory. We dismiss our favorites’ sins and perhaps have also become used to a ‘bare minimum expectations’ type of governance – “They don’t steal that much,” “At least he hates that group,” “At least he’s from our province,” “At least they give us ayuda .” Even calamities are utilized for political schemes. We distrust street beggars, but give power and privileges to these so-called public servants. We bow to politicians and fiercely fight with our fellow citizens for them; we see the same suffering of our people in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao yet some are even willing to divide our country to advocate for the blatant agendas of regional dynasties.

Hard questions

Having a good standard and self-awareness is important for both voters and candidates. I cannot avoid thinking that greed and hunger for power are ingrained in human nature – it takes discipline to resist these. Real change won’t come from politicians who may be our idols, our relatives, our friends. Our lives should not revolve around politicians, the past generations’ and our fellow voters’ mistakes. Let us ask ourselves: If I were related to successful politicians, would I take advantage of nepotism? And after countless election promises, how many officials actually brought concrete improvement and solution to our society’s problems? For the politician, they may also ask themselves: If I have nothing substantial to offer and there are better candidates, do I have the humility to walk away from a mission I cannot fulfill?

Coming from the film industry, I think it is our job to open people’s eyes, not blind them further. Fame and numerous fans do not entitle or qualify us for anything: our knowledge and skills do. Celebrity or not, just because you can doesn’t mean you should, and an office is not a stage for entertainment. Public service is that – serving the nation’s interest, not self-interest. Politicians aren’t voted in just to be symbols of hope, or because they claim to have good intentions– it’s about understanding the nation’s issues and taking correct actions, and what they can actually deliver by working.

If they had wanted to, they would have. Many have not – if we look at the statistics, the lines of weary Filipinos seeking assistance in government institutions. Since this has been the case for years, maybe it’s time to redirect our hopes and energy. If there is little to wait for, perhaps real change begins with us — maybe it should no longer be a question of which leaders to trust, but what we can do --- for our families, friendships, and communities. Some politicians may act to pretend they will save us, but our people have the capacity to take action for change, and change firmly, for this cycle has gone on for too long.

About the author:

Brillante Mendoza is a trailblazing Filipino independent filmmaker. Since 2005, he has directed numerous socially conscious films that often deal with difficult or controversial issues within the Philippines. These include Kaleldo, Thy Womb and Kinatay, the latter earning him the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009, the first Filipino to receive the award. He is also the only Filipino to receive France’s “Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres” (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2014.