Papogi: The Imaging of Philippine Presidents, a special produced by The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) for its media partner ABS-CBN, aired last night. As per the recommendation of my teacher in Broadcast Journalism Ms. Luz Rimban and the interest the teaser plug stirred in me, I watched it. Here are some insights that I would like to share:

* Government, the presidency, showbusiness, people relations - everything we perceive as reality, is all but a game of image building. Yes, there is only one truth. However, there are so many different ways of presenting it. And believe me, some people can be very creative when it comes to that. Some parts of the truth are ignored. Other bits of it are blown out of proportion. Truth is molded. Some facts are introduced in their proper context. However, context is often times downplayed and even ignored. I have said this before, the line between reality and imagination is a thin one. It can be blurred by ill intentions. Be careful in distinguishing what is real from what is not.

* History smiles down on figures/personalities who can respond to the needs of the times. Manuel Quezon came at a time when Filipinos needed a president who can stand alongside Americans and assert his being a Filipino. With his tisoy looks, intelligence, confidence, AND a Filipino heart, Quezon did just that. When the brilliant Ferdinand Marcos turned dictator and the people cried out for change, Corazon Aquino stood as a symbol of that change. She was the simple, good-natured, clean figure the nation wanted as opposed to the extravagant, corrupt, and power-hungry Marcoses. Joseph Estrada was put into office as a reaction of the Pinoy masses against an upsetting social hierarchy where only the rich, the educated, and the powerful have a voice. We need leaders who can truly lead us and make a dent in history.

* It is all in our hands. A lot of people think that it is only the people up there like presidents and other important personalities who can make a difference. They have the power. They have the voice. I beg to disagree. The EDSA revolutions have already shown us that civilian movement is possible. With patriotism, Filipinos can be called upon to unite and act for the good of the nation. It is not just that. We have power and it is manifested in simple everyday things. We are the ones who work. We are the ones who vote. We are the ones who cultivate our culture. We are the sailors of this ship called The Philippines.

I would like to use these insights to impart a message about the upcoming national elections. Our country is suffering from truly difficult times. There is poverty, crime, corruption, divisiveness, etc. This election can make or break us so we really need to choose well. I would like to use the tagline we used in POLLiTALKS, a political awareness project where I was Assistant Project Head: Kilalanin, Kilatisin, Tiyakin ang inyong iboboto. Vote according to your conscience. Vote for our future. Find out what is real from what is not. Take responsibility.