The emperor’s new clothes
THE 19th century fable entitled “The Emperor’s New Clothes” boasts of a cunning allegory that resembles a 21st century Philippine political scenario.
Written by Hans Christian Andersen – the famous Danish fairy tale story-teller – in 1839, the story told of an emperor who was so vain he sought out two of the best weaver-tailors of his kingdom with a very specific instruction – to make him the best and the finest royal garments available in Europe. On top of that, they should be made from a fabric that was invisible to anyone.
The clothes could be seen only by those who were “fit for their position and by those who were not hopelessly stupid.” The haberdashers agreed.
On the day the clothes were finished, His Majesty, obviously, could not contain his excitement. He ordered the palace staff to organize a parade with him leading the march. So, the tailors “outfitted” the emperor with the new clothes by mimicking the procedure as they would do in the real measuring of made-to-order garments.
Earlier on the day, the emperor’s ministers and subjects were informed by palace functionaries that the ruler’s clothes were invisible. And they could only be seen by those who are “fit for their position and by those who are not hopelessly stupid.”
Needless to say, not wanting to dampen the enthusiasm of their monarch, the ministers and the subjects all went for the forewarning.
“How beautiful the clothes the emperor is wearing,” was heard all over the palace and on the parade route. And, of course, the emperor was beaming from ear-to-ear while waving to the roaring crowd, confident that the spectators admired his clothes.
Until a little girl who was in the crowd watching the event cried out loud: “The emperor is naked!”
TIME CAPSULE FORWARD TO YEAR 2015, THE PHILIPPINES. Right now, there are two probable fairy tale characters in the local political scenario who think of themselves as heirs to the presidential throne in Malacañang. Already they are behaving like Hans Christian Andersen’s emperor.
Results from voters preference surveys conducted every now and then point to Sen. Grace Poe as their topmost choice. Thus, she is convinced that those who give her name to pollsters are “fit for their job and are not hopelessly stupid.”
But among the majority that comprises the Filipino voting public, they noticed that Poe keeps on visualizing a presidential throne that does not exist for her, in the first place.
On the other hand, overflowing media endorsements heralded Rodrigo Duterte as one step away from claiming the throne. Like Poe, the Davao City mayor was hot on the collar and his endorsers were, likewise, “fit for their job and not hopelessly stupid.”
His admirers in southern Philippines say their seemingly reluctant candidate believes the presidency is his for the taking anytime he decides to put it into his pocket.
It is even doubtful, some Davaweños say, if he is aware that among his so-called cheerers are individuals who just want to humor him.
Unlike the pretentious few in the cast of “The Emperor,” a big majority of Filipinos do not see the throne Poe and Duterte want to sit on.
The duo are ecstatic of a clamor that is temporary, and an endorsement that is fleeting. They seem to refuse to realize that today’s acclamation can be tomorrow’s repudiation, not far from the Andersen’s fastidious dresser of a character.