Hello to all my friends and any other people in the movement. Just replace Iluso I with Joma Sison and youre all set. Before you label me counter revolutionary or whatever you call people who think differently take note that this came from La Solaridaridad.
"The Five and Ten Cent Reedemers"
Times were bad in Villailusa and its goverment could not be worse. To make things worse there existed in the place a group of rascally caciques who did nothing but live on the country like parasites deceiving the country and the people.
Naturally, the reaction finally came because it is a natural law that patience has its limits, despite sore-ridden Job, and, as is also natural, once the idea of a vigorous protest took shape, it was sought to put in action hastily and without counting on popular support or the means of action.
And there was one more reckless than the rest, who believing himself to be called by God, set himself up, albeit, uneasily, as a teacher, raised his voice and, anointing himself the apostle of the gospel, spoke thus to the oppressed people in accents that were almost apocalyptic:
"Do you know that complaints are fit only for the weak? Will you endure any longer this slavery that degrades you and not destroy all existing institiutions? Here are the tablets of Law; Here are your rights. Nolumus regnare super nos, we do not want you to rule over us ; here is your battlecry against the powerful. To the fight! To the death! To arms!"(said by Iluso I)
Thus he spoke and, descending from the platform which had served him for a rostrum, adopted a posture of tragic withdrawal, raising his hand to his breast like another Napoleon.
"But , good sir," one poor devil, looking like a philosopher with a hangover, felt bound to object, "what do we gain by knowing all these tablets if we do not explain their meaning to the people and if, in addition, we do not even have one bad musket to shoulder? If we do not even have a single bullet, or the worst of boats or, which is saddest of all, not one peseta to invest in all these essential needs, do you not think that we shall make a ridicoulous show of ourselves? Do you not consider that the losers will be persecuted with horrible reprisals? Let us educate the people, let us inspire them with noble ideas and civic spirit, let us proclaim the right to life, let us organize people for victory, and let us raise money, money, money. But while we lack this and have no organized forces do you not believe convenient the movement within the law, the press campaign, the parliamentary struggle?"(Another guy)
"What are you saying, you wretch? What objection do you raise? Money? No need for that. A heart and a sword, that is the secret. What fine patriots God made you. The press? We have already written enough. We should not expect anything from the governor, mayor, and even the parish priest. Have you heard? Do you not think I do not do enough by making speeches and showing you the way, by driving you into the struggle? I myself should not fight; my life is sacred, my mission is higher. When you have won, I shall take care of organizing and ruling you, and in between decrees I shall regale you with my epic songs and hyms of victory or with some romantic story of heroism." (Iluso I)
"Do you need supplies? They will drop from Heaven, which protects just causes, and if not. then don't eat. Arms? Buy them. A military organization? Do it yourselves. Ships? Swim. Transports? Carry your baggage on your shoulders. Equipment? Go naked. Barrack? Sleep in the open. Doctors? Drop dead for these are the duties imposed by patriotism." (still Iluso I)
"And afterwards?" objected one who was growing more and more enthusthiastic by the minute.
"Afterwards, I!" (with grandeur) (Iluso I)
A handful of enthusiasts eventually goes into the streets crying death to tyrants, and ends up in front of a building where the authorities are gathered by some coincidence. The ruler of the city looks over the unarmed rabble which is shouting: "Death to tyrants! Long live the revolution! Long live Iluso I! Long live liberty! Throw out the oppressors! Down with the scoundrels!" With withering scorn the ruler retorts " oh yeah?" Then amid general laughter the "rebels" are rounded up by the police, some to be sent to the scaffold, others into exile, protesting that they had been only mouthing the words of another, of Iluso I, "our redeemer"
" where is this gentleman?" asks the ruler.
But Iluso did not appear; he had gone off to weep over the misforunes of the Motherland. He had already proved his patriotism by making speeches!
But nothing was needed to fight!
To create a climate of opinion was the last thing to worry about!
And patriotism? Ah that is ... mere poetry when one lacks what is necessary to defend one's self and to win.
But he would have said to himself, seated in Olympian grandeur; "I am reserved for higher tings, I am the only prophet, the only one who loves his country as she should be loved, thats me! His name was heard in every corner of the earth.
And the earth shook.
And men trembled.
And women gave birth out of pure joy.
And children sucked thier thumbs.
And Villailusa remained enslaved.
And he spouted a fountain of axioms.
And he kept sucking his thimbs, but with his patriotism and with grandeur, until he became transformed into a human sphinx.
And they put him in a madhouse.
Ah, these redeemers.... nuts!
special thanks to PI class for forcing me to read "The First Filipino"
