Bicol and Ilocos regions: Accidental protagonists
THE Robredo-Marcos political battle brings into focus an accidental, if not providential, contention between two regions of different peculiarities and outlook. Vice President Leni Robredo comes from the Bicol Region, one of the poorest regions in the country; former senator Ferdinand E. Marcos, Jr., from the Ilocos, one of the richest. VP Leni, was forced into the political realm unexpectedly due to the untimely death of her well-loved husband while Sen. Bongbong is expectedly well-intent in reclaiming power to – like his mother Imelda – vindicated and put a good face upon a revenant political family. Let’s start from those assumptions.
The electoral process in this country which has gone from bad to worse because of rich political quacks and scoundrels who have embedded themselves into this so-called “democratic system,” has spawned political conflicts every election, epitomizing the negative Filipino trait of “don’t accept defeat; hit back.” That is why in this country nobody loses an election, they just get “cheated” – manually or “Smartmatically,” almost always ending in electoral protests or “exercises in futility,” as political pundits call them.
Bicolandia or Bicoland, composed of six provinces (Camarines Norte, Camarines Sir, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes), is blest with natural beauty – Mayon Volcano, beautiful and playful whalesharks of butanding in Sorsogon, Misibis, Caramoan Beach, placid and unpolluted Lake Buhi, trekkers’ favorite Mt. Isarog, and many other places. It is also a region of beautiful girls, rich soil, and abundant harvest, the reason why Bicolanders are reputed to love inactivity and the easy life; there is always time for singing, dancing, and to look good – and any apt event is a good excuse to celebrate. It is no wonder why the region is the birthplace of beauty queens and many showbiz celebrities – and just as well – with the highest birthrate, thanks to gata and sili (coconut milk and chili peppers)!
Vice Pres. Leni Robredo is the first highest-ranking elective official from the Bicol region, where though it has produced the most senators compared with the other regions of the country, has not produced a president; the Ilocos region, however, has produced the most presidents. A peculiarity similar to Bongbong’s Ilocos region is the fact that, like Ilocanos, there are more Bicolano voters outside the region than those in the region itself. What makes Ilocanos different is their unity, with the much-vaunted “Solid North” reputation. Unity is a non-issue among Bicolanos in their region; they are like the Israelis who bicker and fight among themselves in their country, but united when out of it. Bicolano senators may not have been number one in their hometowns, but have won overwhelmingly all over the country where Bicolanos – natives and by affinity – abound.
The Comelec recount going on because of the protest of former senator Marcos against VP Robredo may be providential for both Ilocos and Bicol regions. Sympathy for the vice president by Bicol politicians which has been long in coming, may finally ignite unity among the Oragons, and therefore a strong stand and support – needed by an embattled Kabanwaan who is “one breath away from the presidency.” In the same vein, Sen. Marcos’s fight may solidify a melting “Solid North.” An Ilocano friend says: “Unfortunately for us Ilocanos, there is no more solid north. If Bongbong loses in this recount, the Marcos charisma is gone; even Imee, the belle of Ilocos, shall fade away.”
We riposted with: “You have a rising political star in the person of Chavit Singson,” to which he answered, “Why not? An Ilocano star may become super, perhaps after Leni or Duterte.”