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thechosenjosh · 3 years ago

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Media Information Literacy Reaction Paper to: The Kingmaker

Introduction

The kingmaker is a documentary that takes an in-depth look at Imelda Marcos' controversial political career. Imelda Marcos is best recognized as the former first lady of the Philippines, but it was her behind-the-scenes influence on her husband's presidency that brought her to the forefront of global politics. This film takes viewers on a tour through the Marcos family's long history of corruption, excess, and brutality, as well as the moral lesson of a powerful female leader whose flawed sense of reality tore a country apart.

My Reaction

Going into the film, the first few minutes showed Imelda Marcos giving 50 pesos bills to kids on the street and later giving One-thousand pesos to kids suffering cancer in the health center she built. To me, I see that this documentary is showing first this facade of Imelda Marcos where they try to put good light into her. It feels like an attempt to humanize Marcos, but that quickly changes. Funnily enough, I was watching this with my family and as we get into this scene my father makes a comment talking about what a small amount she gives out of the billions of pesos the Marcos family stole.

Throughout the film she mentions how she feels about motherhood and that she considers herself as a mother to the Philippines, so much that it becomes delusional. “I was always criticized for being excessive. But that is mothering. That is the spirit of mothering. You cannot quantify love.” It’s hard to see the good side of her when she’s saying things like that, justifying her selfish and corrupt deeds. Considering her age now, I try to understand why she continues to insist on her nonsensical views of being a mother to the Philippine, so maybe she’s not quite right in the head anymore. What I really appreciate about this documentary was that they were able to get insights from foreigners who were connected to the Marcos family, and even had some things to say about Imelda and the family. For me, this documentary tries hard not to be biased against the Marcos family and really gets the perspective of both sides. The documentary just seeks the truth. But as the film continues it becomes clear how corrupt and dishonest the family was, there’s no denying that. I do acknowledge the good they have done based on what I have seen on the film. How they contributed to the infrastructure of the Philippines and their political ties with other countries. But it is shown how the corruption started as they gained more power and money. This film shines a spotlight on an insane degree of ego, corruption, violence, and gross greed.

It was hard seeing all those animals being taken from their natural habitat forcing them to move to Calauit, even worse forcing the families to move out of their homes for the animals. It’s crazy that to Imelda moving the family was nothing to her. She contradicts herself saying that the Island was not inhabited by anyone or a community, and then goes on saying “except the few I could.. Tell what to do” That moment where she pauses, to me showed a somewhat sinister side of her. How can one justify using the military to scare families out of their homes just so that animals from another country can live on an island. All of those things are happening to fulfill Imelda’s so-called dreams to make the Philippines a paradise, but is it really worth it? Years passed and we see that the people and animals are still struggling. We see the hardships the homes and livelihood of the people living in Calauit go through, and the animals being killed because of how they are affecting the residences and even abnormalities in them because of inbreeding. All these bad things happening and Imelda not even caring, it just shows her sociopathic behavior excused by wealth and privilege.

I would see some small contradictions throughout the film, which yes may be not much but one can question her integrity. An example of this is when she says that her marriage with Marcos had no quarrel or problems, and then immediately goes to the perspective of Imelda’s friend saying that Marcos would continually cheat on her. Another was when Imelda stated ,when she returned to the Philippines after their exile, she went to visit Calauit to check on the Island and the animals. She went on even saying she was depressed seeing the condition of the place, and right after that, transitioning to a resident who has lived there for 40 years said that Imelda actually never came to Calauit. At this point of the film it was already a comedy. I start to wonder then, what more claims that Imelda has been saying that were not true or were a twisted version of the truth. One of the most hypocritical things I have heard from her is when she said “Between the mother and the son, you cannot tell who is worse.” when referring to Cory Aquino. How blind is she that even by her own words can she not see how much it applies to her. Like a fish is caught by its own mouth.

It was sad seeing the victims of martial law, being tortured, raped, and harassed. Things like these cannot be forgotten. That time truly showed the worst parts of our country, and the inhumanity of some people. Going into that part , my dad commented again saying something about how the Marcos’ wouldn’t feel guilty of all those deaths because they weren't the ones who directly killed them. He continued saying that the reason why Imelda would say martial law was one of the best years of the Philippines was because their family were living in wealth. They were living in an illusion built by their wealth, while those not fortunate enough had to go through hardships.

Me and my sister while watching were so shocked to hear students saying all those good things that happened during the Marcos regime. Especially when one student said that martial law was a peaceful time. Some statements were true but very oversimplified for me, it’s not their fault though. They have been given misinformation during their education, it was even stated by the lady that when the Marcos’ returned information was kept and there were twisted truths. What I have learned from all this was that we cannot forget what has happened in the past and we cannot repeat history. It has become abundantly clear how much Imeda wants the power back and how much it has an influence on Bongbong. All in all it was a very good documentary and I feel very much educated on history and I now have a bigger perception on the Marcos family, I am now encouraged to learn more about Philippine history and Philippines politics so I know I can make a good decision in choosing a leader for the Philippines.

#the kingmaker

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thechosenjosh · 4 years ago

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