The metamorphosis of epalism
The culture of epalism is evolving.
Although it has no official definition in the dictionary, the early form of epalism in the Philippines was thought to be those large billboards and construction site signs with the faces of politicians wasting away taxpayers’ money for political and publicity gains. Perhaps, it is best to caption them on top of the face of the politician and the project information, “This is where your taxes go”, and put a 50-50 percentage at the bottom of the politician’s face and the project information.
Like Proteus, politicians are masters of shapeshifting to seduce mortals. We see them in photo opportunities giving away relief goods to typhoon and fire victims, or worst, even during wakes where many people are gathered to sympathize with the bereaved family who are scandalized by epals’ handshaking all the people around.
The late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago described epalism as promoting a culture of patronage and corruption. According to historian JP Canonigo, epals may morph from fief welcomers into obsessive greeters, credit grabbers, political parasites, bandwagon riders, and “kupals.”
Conscious that people have become skillful in unmasking their true ugly faces, the epals have transformed themselves into crusaders against corruption, making themselves immaculate by portraying their political enemies as serpents whose heads must be crushed.
Dole-outs have become less appealing nowadays. Hence, the new generation of epals now espouses ambitious projects like transforming humble communities of simple but happy people into a jungle of concrete structures and allowing other people with different cultures to invade their homes and obliterate their rich history.
This type of epals is the most dangerous and can wreak havoc on families like Veronica in the movie “Dangerous Beauty” in 1998.
So, we better be discerning. Epals are just within us; we may be cuddling one we thought would never betray us.