Turn me on
Tamano Perspective is my show on ANC that airs Thursdays at 7 p.m.. I’m very grateful to ABS-CBN and ANC for giving me this opportunity and taking a big risk with a neophyte non-journalist and letting him host what is essentially an op-ed talk show. The premise of the show is simple: by taking a clear, unequivocal, and hopefully thoughtful stand on the latest national issues, we are able to inform, educate, and, most importantly, engage our viewers to similarly take a position on these issues. They can disagree with my viewpoint, violently or not, but what is vital is that they are stirred from apathy and fence-sitting. According to Thomas Jefferson, an informed citizenry is the bulwark of democracy. In the 21st century though, with the advent of the internet and the deluge of news and data, being merely informed isn’t enough. For democracy to thrive, we need our citizens not only to be well informed but also to be truly engaged. Which, at the first instance, means that they have to form an opinion on things.
It was both unorthodox and clever on the part of ANC to use what might be perceived as a weakness — the fact that I am not a journalist — and turn it into what I see as a strength of the show. Journalists are bound by tradition to present issues in an unbiased and somewhat impersonal manner. However, precisely since I’m not a journalist, I can freely give my opinion on issues. Moreover, there is no pretense on my part that I give anything more than that - all I give is simple opinion, not gospel truth. Really just an ordinary citizen’s perspective.
However, although it is not gospel, for the show to work, I must do real truth-telling. This means speaking truth to power, which is what media, at its best, should do anyway. To tell those in power that they are accountable to the people and to remind them that they are far from infallible. The powers-that-be already have their PR firms and spin doctors churning out their view on things and so our little show aims to be a counter-balance to that. George Orwell said that “during times of universal deceit, truth telling becomes a revolutionary act.” While I don’t aim to start a political revolution, certainly encouraging Filipinos to take concrete stands on national issues can be personally revolutionary.
Since speaking truth to power necessarily means speaking to those in power, a lot of what Tamano Perspective deals with is political in nature. So another possible weakness, my own political failure, becomes a strength. I’ve dealt with, on very personal even familiar levels, with some of the country’s most prominent politicians as the spokesman for the Opposition and as a former member of the Nacionalista Party. So I’ve seen the inner workings of Philippine politics and this why I’ve decided to leave it. Basically, I’ve seen politicians at their worst — and also at their best — which means that when I discuss power, corruption, or the goals and achievements of some politicians, my views are predicated on my own personal political experience.
Admittedly, my own view of politics will permeate the show and the opinions I give. While there are some very good, even idealistic, people in the current political scene, unfortunately there are also those who are unscrupulous, corrupt, and dishonest to the bone. It is the latter that, hopefully, the show will wage battle against in the marketplace of ideas. While the traditional politician’s only concern is personal power, it is my hope that Tamano Perspective can provide instead real empowerment.
The empowerment is done by presenting the most current and relevant national issues in clear, even bite-size, pieces or segments in the show. Usually three issues predicated on news stories and presented in what I hope to be an interesting and easily understandable format and then an interview with a subject matter expert to give substance to one of the topics. Certainly, most Filipinos are so busy with work, raising a family, paying bills, etc., that it is often difficult to have the time and energy to research and ponder issues like the RH Bill, the Kulo exhibit, the fate of the ARMM, etc. So the show aims to provide a genuine service: to study and contemplate these and other issues and, afterwards, present an opinion - again, hopefully a well-thought out viewpoint.
I recall a conversation with a friend on what I miss the most by my leaving politics and my answer was that I would miss being part of the national discourse. Fortunately, ABS CBN and ANC gave me the opportunity to help create and host Tamano Perspective, which allows me to continue to participate in the discussion of important national issues.
My aspiration is that Tamano Perspective will, in its own little way, contribute to nation-building. I know that is a tall order — and some may fault me for being delusional — but I believe all citizens have a duty to participate in the civic life of their nation. Simply, I dream of a Philippines where its people are able to live a good life. By that I don’t just mean a life of riches or prosperity, although economic development and social justice is crucial, but rather a good life in the Aristotelian sense, meaning a virtuous life. Because according to the Philosopher, true happiness isn’t mere physical pleasure — as in having wealth — or having honor — as in having political power and the respect of others — but is rather living a life of virtue. Part of that virtue, a big part in fact, is civic in nature. Aristotle did not contemplate a good life purely on a personal level but a life that is translated into action for the welfare of others. But here’s the rub - before we can be good and do good, we must have a viewpoint on what is truly “good”. This means we have to take a stand on things. Which, in the end, is what our show is really all about.
