By Telly G. Ocampo
Whatever happenned to Delicadeza, Palabra De Honor and Amor Propio
The editorial of last Sunday’s Bohol Tribune was the Metamorphosis of Epalism. Per the definition coming from Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, Epalism is the promotion of the culture of patronage and corruption. And this has now metamorphosed into different variants of its form.
The editorial is reality. In fact, there are times that I avoid listening to the news and talk shows. It becomes very frustrating. Epal kaayo. Wala may nahitabo sa mga resolutions sa issues mahitungod sa corruption, pagpatay ug uban pa nga mga krimen.
After the teleserye entitled Probinsyano, I’ve been surfing for other telenobelas which could mirror the realities of today. I am fortunate to have a college classmate who keeps me abreast of the present issues. She keeps on updating me with events involving people whom we know now and whom we knew way back. For both of us, this is our way of preventing alzheimer’s disease. Isn’t it that we have to exercise the brain by exercising our tongue? So we keep on exchanging notes through conversations.
Going back to the telenobelas, I am happy that at GMA 7, there’s Noli Me Tangere of Jose Rizal as well as Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra.
I have my regrets now that I did not take seriously the Rizal subject we had in college. What I could only remember is: Maria Clara was the love of Rizal and Crisostomo Ibarra in the novel. There was also Sisa, the woman driven to insanity for the death of her child.
What happened in Rizal’s time remains true today. It is still the story of oppression. We were oppressed by the Spaniards. But not all Spaniards became oppressive. There were those who remained true to their mission of Christianizing the people.
Another regret I have is my being unfamiliar with the Spanish American war. Again our curriculum did not emphasize this part of our history.
Going back to Maria Clara, I’m happy that telenobelas like this is shown at 8pm when it is still my waking time. There is also that story of violet flowers which I could not view consistently. Kapuy na ang mata.
What I like in Noli Me Tangere is its presentation of the virtues which were always mentioned at home when I was young: Palabra de honor, amor propio and gentleman’s agreement. Uban pud ang karamba ug cirvenguenza.
I’m also happy that most of the members of the cast are mainstays of ABS-CBN. I really love Tirso Cruz’ role as Padre Damaso. Carlos Celdran must have loved this, too. Do you remember him? He was a tour guide par excellence in the walled City of Intramuros. He died in exile in Spain. What was his crime? You must have known it. It is still oppression.
The world, including the Philippines, is filled with oppression. Whatever happened to Delicadeza, Palabra De Honor and Amor Propio