Padugo and Roar: Rebuffing and Side Tracking Performances in APEC Philippines 20151
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies Volume 6, Issue 9, 2019, PP 1-11 ISSN 2394-6288 (Print) & ISSN 2394-6296 (Online) Padugo and Roar: Rebuffing and Side Tracking Performances in APEC Philippines 20151 Danilo Santos Cortez, Jr.* Assistant Professor, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, University of the City of Manila, General Luna St. corner Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila, and 1002 Metro Manila. Philippines. *Corresponding Author: Danilo Santos Cortez, Jr, Assistant Professor, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, University of the City of Manila, General Luna St. corner Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila. Philippines. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT This paper attempts to describe and analyze selected social performances during the Philippines’ hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 Summit in Manila, particularly the staging of “Padugo” (bloodletting) ritual by Lumads anti-APEC protesters and the deploying of Katy Perry’s “Roar” by the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) Unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP). By applying social performance theory, I argued here that rebuffing and sidetracking performances of Padugo and Roar are ultimately socio-political acts, which are both always performative. These social performances represent competing versions of the social order, attempting to find resonance beyond the actual performances, as such could possibly influence public opinion and transform the socio-cultural, economic, and/or political status quo. Keywords: Social Performance, Performance Theory, Protest Ritual, Public Order Policing. INTRODUCTION ethnic dance of the Igorots rendered by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, not even Ballet The Philippines became the world's biggest Manila's interpretation of 'Anting-Anting' or stage in the hosting of Asia-Pacific Economic amulet. Cooperation (APEC) summit, after two decades; which culminated with the APEC Economic Although the Anting-Anting performance is Leaders' Meeting conducted on 18–19 somehow related; being a performance depicting November 2015. These are the exact same dates how the Philippines is a land where modernity which will be the center of attention of this strives with folk beliefs. This specific belief paper. However, the descriptions did not deal refers to the Power of the Anting-Anting which with performances such as: The Walk of Powers is extolled and believed to ward off evil spirits. -- referring to the walk to the reception by the Similarly, this power of the Anting-Anting is Leaders of 21-member APEC group, while somehow comparable with the purpose of the wearing clothing/garments typical or associated Padugo ritual performed by Lumads, a group of to the host country (for the Philippines - the non-Muslim indigenous people in the southern traditional Barong Tagalog designed by Paul part of the Philippines (Mindanao), which is one Cabral; nor the APEC "Family" Photo -- the of the two performances, which are subject group picture of attending APEC leaders, who matter of this paper. are heads of state/government of their respective APEC member-country. Moreover, this essay did not dwell on cultural performances showcased at the APEC Gala Dinner, which was Paper presented at the 2018 International Symposium characterized as presentation of the Philippines on Economics and Social Science – Summer Session with a fusion of the traditional, modern, edgy, (ISESS-Summer 2018) held at Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan, 30 July - 01 August 2018. and tropic(RTVM Malacanang, 2015). The paper did not discuss about the shadow play by Mendiola‘s Peace Arch (GMA News, 2015). As El Gamma Penumbra, neither the traditional a background in the conduct of this International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V6 ● I9 ● 2019 1 Padugo and Roar: Rebuffing and Side Tracking Performances in APEC Philippines 2015 performance, tribes from both ends of the the music was aimed at de-escalating tensions. Philippines joined forces to hold ritual against Gonzales further explained that the music was APEC Leaders' Summit. The tribe folk from not meant to diminish the protesters‘ rally, but Northern Luzon and the Lumad from Mindanao to de-escalate any hostility that could have gathered in a "Salubungan," meet-up or occurred (ibid). The police spokesperson also convergence; before marching together toward added that "Filipinos in general love music and Malacanang Presidential Palace. Protesters, it has a calming effect for everyone. This goes Amianan Salakniban "Defend the North", well with our maximum tolerance policy during composed of indigenous people of Cordillera protests." According to Batas Pambansa from the North Luzon marched from Nicanor Bilang880 or The Public Assembly Act of 1985, Reyes Street (Morayta), Manila; while members maximum tolerance is defined by the law as the of the Lumad proceeded from Recto Avenue, highest degree of restraint that the military, Manila as their entry point. police and other peace keeping authorities shall These two assemblies of demonstrators made observe during a public assembly or in the Recto Avenue corner Nicanor Reyes Street as dispersal of the same. For the Philippine police their Convergence Point for their Salubungan; force, using music at protests was not an then, altogether advanced to Mendiola in order unusual tactic, and there was no intent to to protest against APEC (Pamintuan, 2015); and trivialize the rally. The police spokesperson to perform the ritual protest of Padugo. This further noted that they understand the protest ritual and other anti-APEC rallies are seriousness of the issues and they don't mean to under the umbrella of People‘s Caravan against insult people (Rappler, 2015). Imperialist Globalization (PCAIG) which is a THE PERFORMANCE OF PADUGO PROTEST broad network of various organizations, institutions, RITUAL sectors and marginalized communities; all against imperialist globalization of APEC. With adverse In the anti-APEC Protest in November 2015, the implications of neoliberal economic policies Padugo ritual (literally, to let blood --- animal especially mining, energy, and agriculture; sacrifice) began with the Lumad datus (tribal plunder and militarization, state sponsored chieftains / local community leaders) dancing terrorism, as concrete impacts of APEC, around the live animal sacrifice, a black boar affecting indigenous people in their ancestral tied at the center. Circumnavigating the domain. creature, the datus from Southern Philippines pounded their feet on the ground and waved The following day, on 19 November 2015, US their hands in the air while holding on to pieces pop star Katy Perry roared as anti-riot police of cloth. For the Lumads, dancing is a way to deployed music to disperse protesters near the pay gratitude to anitos (spirits of their venue of the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic ancestors). Then, with the use of irab, a type of Cooperation (APEC) Leaders‘ Summit. The bolo (knife), one of the datus slit a white police pulled out their secret weapon: the hit Leghorn chicken's neck and poured some of its song ―Roar‖ of pop princess Katy Perry on giant blood over the black native pig. Thereafter, with loudspeakers. Perry‘s hit song was played at full the assistance of other datus, they struck the irab volume, the top of a demonstration disco into the chest of the black boar. playlist aimed at distracting the protesters and When a live animal sacrifice is offered to the drowning out their chants (Malm, 2015). To add gods or spirits, it is the life-blood that is really a street bass beat, some of the police tapped given; the carcass is left for the worshipper to their batons against their shields in time with the consume afterward. When a large animal is music. This tactic performance of the Philippine sacrificed, the division of the carcass is made government police force enraged some according to ancient traditions, wherein the demonstrators but also amused others. Aside for officiating datu gets the choicest cut, followed Katy Perry's Roar, the anti-riot police force also by the sponsor, and then the guests in order of played other songs to distract the activists were their respective ranks. In the Lumad's culture, a Dolly Parton's "Islands in the Stream," David white chicken is sacrificed to ask God to listen Guetta's "Sexy B*tch" featuring Akon, The to their prayers, while the offering of a black Temptations' "My Girl," and the Bee Gee's boar symbolizes protection from threats of "How Deep Is Your Love" (Oswald, 2015). enemies. Brazal (2009) in her article titled Metro Manila Police Spokesperson Chief ―Redeeming the Vernacular Doing Postcolonial- Inspector Kimberly Gonzales commented that Intercultural Theological Ethics,‖ discussed 2 International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V6 ● I9 ● 2019 Padugo and Roar: Rebuffing and Side Tracking Performances in APEC Philippines 2015 Padugo in the discourse analysis of vernacular. house with the poor or donating money or land She pointed out that the vernacular remains to where the houses can be built. At other times, it be an important source of energy for is expressed in overcoming great odds and marginalized communities toward solidarity. danger as in the case of volunteers who dare to Brazal also further made description about go to conflict-ridden Moslem areas to build Padugo as a vernacular concept and practice: houses for the poorest of the poor (Brazal, Padugo literally means bloodletting refering to 2009). Ronald Villanueva (2010) in his doctoral the animal sacrifice made to ward off evil spirits dissertation further threshed out the GK and to honor Ginoo (a traditional way of movement‘s adherence to the value of ―padugo‖ addressing God). that emerges out of a passion for something purposive and for organizational development. She further provided descriptions about the The movement grows brought about by the Padugo, more specifically, this ritual is passion being shared by many who are willing performed at the start of a construction for the to sacrifice or in the case of Gawad Kalinga, safety of the workers in the duration of the Padugo, which means, ―to bleed for the cause.‖ project.