They say the kakampinks and dilawans are rude.
Well… if you come across stories like the time they tried to feed Bongbong Marcos (BBM) some flyers,
or the time they shouted some carefully chosen vocabulary at a BBM rally,
or the time a jogger ran after another jogger to declare her undying disdain for BBM,
you’d be forgiven for thinking they’ve been rechristened Karens and Kevins. But why are they like this?
Before I answer the question, I’d like to clarify:
1. I am neither a kakampink / dilawan nor a Marcos loyalist. I’m likely voting for a different candidate, and it isn’t Isko Moreno 🤣
2. Don’t react negatively yet dear BBM supporters. This piece is just an analysis about how kakampinks think. If I find the energy to resist my mental torpor, I’ll write to explain your side as well.
3. I’d like to explain how kakampinks think even if I’m not one of them because if BBM wins, there will be no end to to the pink and yellow’s anger. If you’d like to have an orderly Marcos government and a peaceful country, it’s important to understand how the other side thinks so you’ll know how best to approach them.
So, why are kakampinks rude?
For those of us looking at them, they may seem out of line, but has it ever occurred to you that from their perspective, they aren’t doing anything wrong? In fact, they actually think they’re doing the country the greatest patriotic service since Jollibee was invented.
Let’s not put all of them in the same box. Let’s just consider the hardcore pinks and yellows, the ones who, when you open them up, have bones dyed pink or yellow. These people aren’t inherently bad. In fact, most of the pinks and yellows I know are good, kind and gentle people who only discover they have fangs and banshee voices when Marcos is the topic. For these individuals, they don’t think they’re being rude when they trash talk BBM to kingdom come, they think they’re fighting for truth, justice and morality, and that it is every good citizen’s duty to do so.
It is therefore pointless to demand for mutual respect from pinks on BBM’s behalf because they think he doesn’t deserve it.
Let me elaborate some more…
Think of the most evil characters in popular fiction. For example, Emperor Palpatine in the Star Wars saga. There is almost no redeeming element to this evil figure, hence there is no moral excuse to follow or defend him. It was Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance’s moral duty to fight this very evil dude.
The hardcore pinks and yellows think the Marcoses are the evil emperor and they are Luke and the Rebel Alliance. Since they are up against such a bad, bad family, it is acceptable for them to go beyond the confines of common decency to protest and fight.
How do I know that this is the case? Because for 19 years I was part of Catholic institutions where the moral code was extremely strict. What is wrong is wrong and should be punished or fought no matter how small the transgression. So I know that they think it is a moral failing to vote for a Marcos whose dead patriarch they blame for more than a decade of corruption and human rights abuses.
Think about it. Anyone of us would lose our good manners and right conduct if we saw an injustice in front of our eyes. Our inner moral compass would urge us for example to attempt to help a child or even a pet subjected to abusive treatment, and we’d be tempted to throw some choice words at the perpetrators (but actually, you should just call the police 🤣).
It is normal for any person to fight against what they THINK is wrong.
What Should BBM Supporters Do?
To reiterate, the kakampinks THINK Bongbong Marcos and his family are blacker than a squid’s fart. I will not say whether I think they are right or wrong. Again, this piece is neither in defense of the pinks nor of the Marcoses. This piece is about urging BBM supporters to understand how the other side thinks for the good of the motherland.
Before you even think of doing anything, first, you have to accept that hardcore pinks and yellows cannot be swayed by argument or bribed by a cup of Dairy Queen. Like the jogger lady in UP, you will only end up in a never ending argument with them if you continue to defend BBM. The only thing that can change their minds is themselves.
So what should you do now? Let the kakampinks and dilawans believe what they believe and don’t force them to change their minds, BUT you must appeal to their love of country and better judgment. If BBM wins, beg them for the love of ice cream and everything holy, to put country first. Beg them not to smear the country’s reputation in the international community and not to do anything to destabilize the government. Tell them that, anyway, if BBM and Sara fail spectacularly after six years, they can tell us, “I told you so”, and vote for whoever their new nanay or tatay is then. Who knows, you might even join them.