How Philippine Issues are Presented in the Comics

BY LAURA ALEXANDRA MIGALLEN

One of the most remarkable comic strip of Josua Cabrera for me is that of Colors. This work of art is so simple, it is actually entertaining. The comic drawn is not that extravagant, but the way it was drawn was very reflective of Pinoy quality it its own ways, and above all of this, it is striking in a sense that it tis low-key eye-opening, and it speaks volume for us Filipinos as a warning. It is timely for the upcoming elections, it is relevant, and it was relevant even so for the past few decades, needless to say when the politics has entered the Philippines. It is somehow ironic to think how our ancestors united people and fought battles to claim back our territory and gain freedom from those who colonized the Philippines, all for our mother country’s independence, only to turn out that independence is what will unexpectedly put divisions between Filipinos and part them into different parties that hold grudges against each other and originate battles, not with the enemies but with their fellow Filipinos this time around. As for power to rule was put on the line, citizens who are color blind and are used to seeing single color as one started to recognize different colors now.

The respected flag of our nation which symbolizes our unity, freedom and peace as a country now sadly stand as a symbol of diversity of perspectives of different partisans which forcefully impose their point of view. It is undeniable that the distinct stand point of the partisans caused disputes which consequently damage our country who used to stand as one, the colors in the flag that were once in harmony turned into a mess, and as a consequence of everything, the flag ended up being torn apart after the fight as shown in the comic strip which can be seen as the consequences caused by the fights of different groups in the Philippine politics. It can also be noticed in the comic that neither of the two sides would like to listen, although on both ends, each one of them has a point, they kept on insisting what they believed in without considering another viewpoint. This also shows the typical scenario in Philippine Government on how different political parties disregard some of the projects which have potential and are beneficial for the common good of the people in our country, even though they deserve to be implemented just because of an absurd reason that it is not a product of their own people. Down to the last frame, after all the results of the fight between two parties and the mess it left of the flag, another party come into the picture and are about to continue the argument. This shows how different political parties come and go and how all these typical scenarios go on and on in the government. They seemed to not notice what it is causing the country since they are not putting an end to their own discord and conflicts.         

Looking at the picture as a whole, that’s what the characters in the comic strip has failed to do. It seemed like the were confined into a certain position where they see nothing other that what is close to them and what is their point of view. The colors of the characters are rooting for their own colors on the flag which may be the reason why not a single one of them adjusted to see something else and look for what the other character is trying to insist as well, we are inclined to root for our own, for people who are like us and for people who are close to us. This is actually good when we are supporting our fellow countrymen, but not to the extent that is beyond what is fair and just. Most of the time we step on our boundaries and support people even though they are not the only ones with the good point and argument just to call the favor on our side. Especially when we are presented with a side which suits our preferences, we tend to ignore the other side and disregard what they have to say and the details on what they are trying to point out already seemed senseless and are lost to the wind as they try to explain further.