Not all candidates stand on equal footing in the presidential race, but there’s certainly a parity when it comes to parody.
The Philippines is months away from determining who among the presidential aspirants will get the last laugh in the 2022 elections. For now, these hopefuls must humor content creators who have made them the butt of the joke in viral internet posts.
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Here are some popular satirical content featuring or referencing the country’s leading presidential bets. All in good fun, of course.
Simpleni Robredo
Vice President Leni Robredo was once again parodied by “Busy Presidente” Simpleni Robredo, who first gained popularity for impersonating her during the 2016 elections.
This time, Simpleni spoofed Leni’s October 2021 declaration of her candidacy in the coming 2022 elections. Everything from the wardrobe and production design, to the writing and the impression itself, reflected Leni’s video.
“Inihahain ko ang aking sarili bilang kandidato sa pagkapangulo ngayong darating na halalan. Kung ako ang mananalo ay magiging ina ako, hindi lamang ng tatlong anak ko, kundi ina niyo rin. Ina niyong lahat (I am offering myself as a presidential candidate in the coming elections. If I win, I’ll become the mother of not just my three children, but your mother as well. The mother of all of you),” Simpleni said in her January 31 video.
The Vice President’s verified YouTube account even left a positive comment on Simpleni’s video.
“We appreciate you, Simpleni! A lighter take on the speech but speaks volumes about our advocacy and campaigns. Thank you so much for the laughter and for being a true #Kakampink in our fight,” Robredo commented in a mix of English and Filipino.
Simpleni, whose real name is Joierie Ann Pacumio, took up speech communication at the University of the Philippines and continued her studies at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.
She supports Robredo’s 2022 presidential bid, using the hashtag #LeniAngatSaLahat.
Bangon “bayaw” muli
Actor-comedian Jun Sabayton went viral on social media in December 2021 for his satirical video that alluded to Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Although he made no direct mention of Marcos, Sabayton featured a pinwheel, windmills, and the song Umagang Kay Ganda—all of which were in the presidential aspirant’s paid television advertisement.
“Tulad ng pag-ikot ng mundo, papaikutin ko rin kayo (Just like how the world rotates, I’ll have you in circles),” he said in the video.
Sabayton was less subtle in his future uploads. His wording reflected the same used by Marcos critics, such as “Bayan Baon Muli” and “Alamano.”
Meanwhile, the videos titled “Wen, nalpasen. Agyamanak!” and “Debate Mo Mukha Mo” referenced claims that Marcos doesn’t know how to speak Ilocano despite his political background in Ilocos Norte, as well as his alleged absence from major election-related events.
Recently, Marcos was criticized for declining to participate in the Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews and the KBP Presidential Candidates Forum.
Comical artist
Graphic artist Kevin Eric Raymundo, known popularly as Tarantadong Kalbo, spared no leading presidentiable in his comic strips.
These include Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and senators Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao.
The artist poked fun at the three, as well as survey-topping hopefuls Marcos and Robredo, with the claims usually thrown at them and their supporters.
Separate comics illustrated how Moreno was running as “Duterte lite” or a mild version of President Rodrigo Duterte, Lacson changing his mind on death penalty because of a Netflix movie, Pacquiao coming for Pastor Quiboloy’s gig as “Anointed Son of God,” Marcos faking his credentials among others, and Robredo’s supporters known as kakampinks “yassifying” fascism.
Banner Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
