Thereβs no doubt that ASINβs “Balita” is one of the best political songs ever. It addresses the conflict in Mindanao, which certainly eludes the rest of the country, depicting it illogically and nefariously. The song particularly centers around the turmoil of Cotabato, as the late ASIN member Cesar BaΓ±ares Jr. hails from Koronadal City. However, the song also expresses how the Philippines has struggled from being the promised land, βlupang pinangako,β to becoming a wastelandβone of the primary reasons why we were hailed βThe Sick Man of Asia.β
Aside from the apparent corruption and greed that loom in the country, our history shows that weβve been tormented by foreign powers and imperialism of our own capital, and many of us ratify it.
To this day, the Philippines remains desolateβunhealed from the wounds of its conquerors yet often yielding to their βimperceptibleβ influence. That reality confused and appalled me, as it is perpetuated by our rubbish system, and God knows how long it will take to overhaul.
I thank my friend Friedrich Nietzsche for his “Amor fati” philosophy, which has taught me to accept every challenge and triumph as part of life despite living in a rotten system.
NeP-C Ledesma is a millennial writer and entrepreneur full of curiosity about our abstract world. She devours Psychology, food, Philosophy, and prefer cats as her all-time company. Pop Culture is her kryptonite.