By: Telly Gonzaga-Ocampo
“Ibo-ibo ug Likod-likod” sa Senado:
When Childhood Games Become Political Theatre
The “peaceful” ambiance at the Philippine Senate.
When I was young especially on moonlight night, we and our neighborhood children played ibo-ibo ug likod-likod. That was real fun. We chose our leaders, the ones who were motherly and able to shield us. We looked for a small corner where we could hide so we would not be caught by our game opponents. We didn’t have prizes for the winners of the games but the joy we felt in playing the game was priceless.
Last Thursday, June 4, 2026, I recalled the ibo-ibo and likod-likod game of yesteryears as I focused my gaze on television watching the continuation of the Senate proceedings. Ang ilang gipanghimo kay susama gyud sa ibo-ibo ug likod-likod. The Senate played the game like professionals and experts. But to me, looking at them play the game was no longer fun. Akong tan-aw kay mura ug gilaro ug gi-ilad man lamang ta ining mga senadores. Nalaro ta ug nailad ta sa atong panahon ug sa kwarta sa kaban sa pangagamhanan. Like the ibo-ibo and likod-likod games, we could not anymore tell where the truth is hiding. Wala na ta kahibawo asa ang tinuod ug kinsa ang nagsulti sa tinuod.
However, we thank modern technology because we can view the television and see how they in the Senate lose their GMRC and professionalism in service. Asa man gud ka makakita ug mga tawo nga mag=tudlanay, mag-sininggitay ug mag-insultuhay?
I truly miss my husband. I remember how we were glued to the radio, then, during the Edsa revolution listening to every move and crossing our fingers to every beat of the people’s voices. But that was a healthy revolution because it was stripped of all manifestations of greed and corruption from the fighters of our freedom. We were still in Tacloban when the Edsa march happened. And we noticed that the Romualdez-owned television station was suddenly cut off in the middle of the bloodless rally.
And then, there were two impeachment cases that followed: that of Erap and that of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
And now, I’m alone, with nobody to exchange my thoughts with. What’s good, though, about the situation now is the fact that we can switch television/social media platforms and observe the slant of different anchors handling the programs and coverage, live!
Even then, makalilisang ang imong kalibog sa mga panghitabo. Daghan ang imong kalibgan. Kadaghan ba ang law enforcement pagdakup ni Bato? Nganong gadaladala man si Trillanes ug warrant of arrest? Unsa diay iyang role? Gitagoan si Bato unya nakalayas? With the help of Robin Padilla? Haaaayyy!
Unya, nagwalkout ang minority. – two days after Jinggoy Estrada was arrested. Majority senators then left with Allan Cayetano accompanying Jinggoy Estrada to the Quezon City jail. . . . Then, Escudero surfaced in the Senate joining the Sotto group, walking in like the mysterious, Mr. Quin in the Agatha Christie novel. . . . Then, the Cayetano group had their session in the Senate with the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC), or committees? Kay duha man kaha ang bloc karon unya duha usab and BRC?
All camps claim that they are the legitimate group. Both camps have their bible verses to prove their point. Wala pa nila makita ang Solomonic wisdom? Kadto bitawng duha ka babaye nga gusting muangkon nga silang duha ang inahan sa usa ka bata? What was the decision of King Solomon? Tungaon ang bata. That was the real test. The true mother cannot imagine killing a child. She made the ultimate sacrifice of giving up rather than see her child cut into two.
And the Filipino people are watching. Who among the groups can, like the real mother, make the ultimate sacrifice of giving up for the good of the people? Who do, do you think, will win in this game called the ibo-ibo and likod-likod?