The other day, my annoying co-worker was yakking about the Italian mob, the Russian mafia and the Japanese yakuza.. when he suddenly, ingeniously asked this question:

"Karrisa, is there a famous mob in the Philippines?"

To which I nonchalantly replied, "Yes. George Bush."
***

If you go and visit the Philippines now, you'll find yourself in the middle of a very un-entertaining and not the least bit funny circus. Everybody wants to be Bozo the Clown all of a sudden, or--forgive my globalist mind, I meant to say, Boyoyong the Clown pala.

What is the matter with my dear country? One moment, Yahoo news reports that one entire village was swallowed by mud, the next minute, our elfin madame President announces a national state of emergency! What, these grimy politicians can't let the spotlight go to that one spot that will no longer occupy a space in the Philippine map?!? Are they that jealous of anything else that hog the headlines besides them?

It's like you can't get away from these crocs and hoodlums. Even natural disasters and muddy, zombied Filipinos can't take the front page because the politicians, whether rightist or leftist, want to thrust their faces in front of you.

And we call ourselves a democratic country, when all we are are pawns in this maniacal chess game played by the government and its rivals, dressed as Boyoyong DA clown.
***

Come to think of it, that question posted by my annoying co-worker can incite some deep thinking. And when you really think of it, had I not responded off the top of my head; had I responded from my heart, the exchange will be as follows:

"Karrisa, is there a famous mob in the Philippines?"

To which I nonchalantly replied, "Yes. The Philippine Government."