Growing Cult in Noynoy Aquino

Philippine Politics |

By MAJOR TOM | September 2, 2009

I have once read that in order to be a true great leader, one must be able to transgress the boundaries of ordinariness, to be iconic and then to be cultic for one.
In other words, one has to be extraordinary.

And so with the case of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, he has extraordinary things going on for him. For certain, it is not extraordinary measure of personality, but that of extraordinary circumstances.

At a glance, Noynoy has proffered no astonishing credential, except that the situation he is right now makes him so politically palatable and very, very viable. The recent death of her mother, Former President Corazon C. Aquino, has showed yet once again that in local shores, the political environment is often inclined to embrace the extraordinary. Well, perhaps there is no blame for even in America right now, they are still so embroiled in the extraordinary phenomenon of President Barack Hussein Obama.

Eventually, Noynoy Aquino is riding on these circumstances, the overflowing support of the people to her mother and the legacy she had left, and of course, being the son of the most patent icon of Philippine politics in the modern era. And perhaps we can add the fact that she is the sister of the most recognizable personality in Philippine television nowadays.

Columnist William Esposo in The Philippine Star wrote:

"All the present presidential candidates can only offer how much better they can govern over their rivals...Noynoy brings an ideological factor into the equation -- the same ideological factor that enabled a housewife to beat the dictator in 1986."

And besides, Noynoy Aquino had exemplified great ardor and stability in his political career so far, not disposed to enter into frays, or to meddle into issues and then be heard for it, and what is so noticeable is the lack of controversy in his midst. That by itself is extraordinary ultimately.

If he decides to run, he would surely have that privilege of riding upon extraordinary circumstances, those that could enable him to venture into cultic adulation, to be inspirational and exceptional, and win one presidential election.

17 Comments »

1. [splice] says; September 7, 2009 @ 7:09 pm

   Hi Tom.

   What cannot be denied in Noynoy's case is that it has reinvigorated the public interest in national politics. As to whether it has done so in a good way or otherwise, each one of us may have a different say on that. Personally, I see it as a positive development.

2. Major Tom says; September 7, 2009 @ 7:44 pm

   To Splice: Exactly Splice, that's what I meant by 'extraordinary circumstance', like a upheaval of inspiration such as this and it rarely happens to a country like ours, it takes a generation. If it is good for us, then we shall embrace it with open arms.

3. bing says; September 7, 2009 @ 9:07 pm

   i'd go for noynoy than mar. aside from binay, i think he can be my candidate. he may not be the perfect one but at least he is not a trapo. and if it means rebuilding the nation's political system, then i will support.

   we do not need the most intelligent (like gloria) candidate for now, we need one to unite the people.

4. Major Tom says; September 7, 2009 @ 10:12 pm

   To Bing: He and Mar could really make a good team. They symbolized a new kind of hope for our country - away from all these political turmoils that we are embroiled in.

5. Gerard Estella says; September 7, 2009 @ 11:09 pm

   Noynoy is ordinary. In fact, extraordinarily ordinary. This is the reason why I will vote for him.

6. Major Tom says; September 9, 2009 @ 12:38 am

   To Gerard: Huhmmmn, also interesting quality, this 'extraordinarily ordinary', original but makes great sense to me...

7. bw says; September 9, 2009 @ 7:38 am

   I'm always concerned when a person is being hailed and revered not by what he has done but by his pedigree. Noynoy is a case in point - well liked because of his parents Ninoy and Cory.

8. PJ says; September 10, 2009 @ 7:11 am

   I sense destiny...... and who knows perhaps this will be the beginning of better things to come when reform minded citizens are given the opportunity to find a common ground in working together for a better Philippines. An added bonus is the rekindling of interest from the slumber of apathy brought about by the peoples frustration on how past leaders mismanaged the country.

9. ysrael says; September 11, 2009 @ 4:03 pm

   Columnist William Esposo is wrong Cory didn't beat Marcos in 1986, Marcos clearly won that snap election. I was suspecting there was a group of people who are behind these "extraordinary circumtance" I was wondering when Cory died there was a media blitz from a 2 giant TV networks na masyadong OA ang coverage sa wake ni Cory up to interment(pati tuloy si Willie Revillame ay nabwisit na, na kinabwisit naman ng mga Cory supporters.) This Noynoy thing will not save us, nangyari na ito kay Cory, Ramos, Erap, GMA. And I an sure kahit si Jesus Christ pa ang maging presidente natin pagbibintangan pa rin natin na corrupt.

10. [splice] says; September 12, 2009 @ 1:51 pm

    "And I an [sic] sure kahit si Jesus Christ pa ang maging presidente natin pagbibintangan pa rin natin na corrupt."

    Sure? I am not religious but that's like seeing things when there are none. Hindsight is 20/20 vision. But that doesn't mean foresight is at par with that. This Noynoy thing will not save us? Well, maybe not you

11. Major Tom says; September 12, 2009 @ 6:26 pm

    To BW: Yeah, that's why i am keenly observing the situation, as to whether or not Noynoy has the same political savvy as his parents had, ingenuity and kindness and of course, honesty and efficiency.

12. Major Tom says; September 12, 2009 @ 6:28 pm

    To PJ : Exactly PJ, maybe we need the people to believe once again that politics is there in order to benefit the society, that leaders can be trusted again, that governments are shoulders for us to hang on. Maybe Noynoy, could be an instigator into this form of rekindling.

13. Major Tom says; September 12, 2009 @ 6:30 pm

    To ysrael: That could be really really bad ysrael, if our nation become so hopeless. Sana hindi totoo, sana we still hope out there.

14. ysrael says; September 15, 2009 @ 4:43 am

    Yeah, you are right Tom. But we had experienced before two popular presidents Cory and Erap, but sad to say they are not capable to govern, unite our people and uplift our economy. (I really hate this popularity things)
    My choice is Richard Gordon/Bayani Fernando tandem kaya lang hindi naman winnable.

15. jay sebastian says; September 15, 2009 @ 11:27 am

    help us spread the word. let us put our support to sen. noynoy aquino by adding to this onoine signature campaign http://www.supportnoynoy.org let us show to the whole world that once again, the filipinos can be united not only in edsa but also in the internet.

16. Major Tom says; September 15, 2009 @ 9:11 pm

    To ysrael: oh that's a good tandem also although their winnablity is doubtful since they do not place reasonably in polls. We have to face it, politics is in a large part a popularity contest.

17. Major Tom says; September 15, 2009 @ 9:13 pm

    To Jay Sebastian: As of now, I have not yet so much as definitely decided on who to support. But I keep my options open. I still have to make keen observations on the political environment.

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