The posters are new on the walls, their faces pulled into courteous smiles and words reciting vows—”matatapuran,” “ubos nga surugu-on,” “tangkod.” But once they get elected into office, their titles change into: “talahuron,” “harangdon,” “honorable.” It’s a high-stakes sleight of hand, a switcheroo of words designed to leave the rest of us agog on the stage, not a whit wiser to the trick. Call it what it is—foolishness dressed up in the patois of wonder.

During the run-up to election time, candidates strut their humility like buskers, genuflecting and patting the poor and the weary on the head. They present us with their unbending servitude, their lips running with self-abasing jargon. “Ubos nga surugu-on,” they declare, swearing loyalty not to power or money, but to the fingers stained with the soil of tillers and the backs bent with wares of market vendors. They employ this jargon because it is salable—the modesty of a servant is the armor of a politician seeking votes.

Humility is a facade, discarded after the last ballot has been cast. Now they stand taller, their voices deeper, their blazers crisp. Those are days gone by when individuals carried the burdens of the masses; now, it is the masses carrying the burdens of their own egos. Being referred to as “harangdon” is no longer a title but a wall, a barrier that distances the formerly amiable candidate from the masses that they woo. Language in such a context is a statement of distance.

And we’re guilty, aren’t we? We adapt our tongues to their new grandeur. The same man who clasped hands in the plaza and grinned through roadside pancit canton lunches now enters rooms where people stand in respect. He is no longer ‘Manoy Juan’ but ‘Honorable Juan,’ and to criticize him is to commit a sacrilege. The terms we once used to draw him near now drive him beyond our reach.

Words are not just noise, anyway. They map how we see the world, and in which we make it work. When the leader positions himself as a servant, it encourages responsibility—a reminder that their throne of power rests on our shoulders. But when they go “harangdon,” something strange reverses. Their mistakes are right, and their decisions are beyond questioning. The title becomes heavier than the expectations that once held them to the earth.

Others would argue that titles such as ‘honorable’ or ‘talahuron’ are mere traditions, leftovers of colonial systems, or misplaced respectability. But decisions are actions, and actions tell volumes about intentions. Our leaders choose to surround themselves with words that ask for surrender. They can claim respect is necessary to have order, but respect is not a lapel badge—it is earned, like trust, through action.

But truly the foolishness is not so much in what they say. It is in how easily we accept it. We berate the foolishness and then lower our heads. We clench our fists and yet continue to put our “Hon.” before their names. Political change will never emanate from politicians themselves; it will emanate from us—from the moment we stop accepting imitative words that take away the power of the people. As of the day when we no longer believe that a word, however beautiful, can conceal the truth.

Let them title themselves whatever they please. But let us not forget that the greatest title that any leader can have is one that we give freely, without pretense or fanfare. And that is simply: “Tangkod.” Honest, true, and loyal to the people’s beliefs. No ribbon needs to be added.

Because we all live under the same sun
We all walk under the same moon
Then why, why can’t we live as one.
-Scorpions
The Mercury Years Album

Historically, the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 16th century introduced Christianity to the Philippines, leading to the marginalization of Muslim communities, known as Moros, in the southern regions. This division was further exacerbated by land policies and governance structures during both Spanish and American colonial periods, which often displaced Muslim populations. The Moros or Muslim are already entrenched in Mindanao even before the Christians in the Spaniards.

Centuries prior the Holy Land of Israel were bustling with wars in the Crusade having prominent heroes Richard the Lion Hearted and Prince Balian (Valiant) and Saladin for Christian Crusaders and Muslim Warriors.

In the Philippines and in modern times, the conflict has been marked by struggles for autonomy and self-determination by Muslim groups, such as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). These groups have sought greater control over their ancestral lands and resources, leading to clashes with the predominantly Christian-led government.

Now the Bangsa Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and the Israel Jew are the status quo of the Israel and Mindanao flash points. A reign of peace came and perhaps , a peaceful co-existence is in place, this in spite the packets of wars in the Philippines and the on-going Hamas, Hezbollah war against Israel.

But looking closely, we can v catch a common ground in the two faiths;
At their core, both Islam and Christianity are rooted in the worship of one God—an omniscient, omnipotent Creator who commands justice, love, and mercy. The essence of monotheism—unwavering faith in one divine source—serves as a bridge between these two traditions. The Qur’an and the Bible, sacred texts of Islam and Christianity respectively, illuminate this shared foundation, calling followers to live lives marked by integrity, compassion, and reverence.

Furthermore, both faiths uphold the principles of charity and service to humanity. Islamic teachings emphasize Zakat (almsgiving), a pillar of the faith that fosters social responsibility and equality. Similarly, Christian doctrine champions acts of kindness and altruism, exemplified through the teachings of Jesus Christ about loving one’s neighbor. In the heart of both religions lies a commitment to uplifting the oppressed and mending the fractures of society.

The figure of Abraham serves as a luminous symbol of unity, revered by both Islam and Christianity as the patriarch of faith. Known as Ibrahim in Islam, Abraham embodies the virtues of obedience, courage, and unwavering devotion to God. His narrative, chronicled in both the Qur’an and the Bible, is a poignant reminder that the roots of spiritual tradition are intertwined—a testament to the shared ancestry of believers.

Lastly, as Ramadan ends and a new and refreshed era after the fasting and sacrifice comes for our brother Muslims , we pray that the intertwined realities are cemented in unity. No need to condemn and fight each other, as Scorpion says, we are live under the same Sun, we are looking at the same Moon, then why, why can’t we live as one!

Unthinking loyal fans turned fanatics are begging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to free their idol from his hotel-like accommodation and let them bring him home. Their main argument is that their idol is too old to stay in an airconditioned cell with amenities and ready medical response in case of emergency. That reason is unreasonable because their idol, in his old age, had committed crimes against humanity chiefly by ordering the police and military to kill those who had been tagged as users and pushers of illegal drugs. The police and military under his command when he was president were too willing to do his orders that led to the killing of innocent people, over six thousands by police estimation but over twenty thousands according to human rights groups.

The mayhem broke like wildfire, spreading in communities whose officials were required under duress or upon promise of rewards to those who follow what he says. Sidewalks and alleys were splattered with dead bodies of those who were in the narco-list as well as those who were caught in the line of fire for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. With strong backing from no less than the former and now detained president foe doing what are clearly wrong and unlawful orders, the police would get monetary reward which was bared only very lately during the investigation in aid of legislation conducted by the senate and the house of representatives.

The bloody drug war emanated from the city of Davao where the former and now detained president was mayor for so long. It was there where he implemented a campaign against illegal drugs through trusted law enforcers who were loyal to him. The law enforcers were too willing to carry-out a clandestine operation against users and pushers of illegal drugs who were causing fear among peace and law-abiding citizens. Reports of crimes perpetrated by drug addicts were well highlighted by a cooperative media with the aim of informing the people about the unsafe situation of their neighborhood as drug addicts are freely roaming the city streets. The situation conditioned the public mind that there is a need to confront the drug problem with an iron hand.

When the then city mayor of Davao launched an anti-drug campaign to clean the city streets of drug of drug addicts, users, pushers and businessmen involved in the illegal drug trade, the city was reportedly peaceful as people lived in shivers that they might be among the targets of the anti-illegal drugs of the police units in the city. Indeed, the peace and order situation reportedly improved. It was a source of pride that the then mayor who is became a former and now detained president could brag, claiming that his city is a model in quelling the drug menace.

As the ICC had taken custody of the former and now detained president, his fans turned fanatics of the former and now detained president who had the gall to call God stupid appears to be in high trance that people think he is in karma and is the one who is daft.
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