I googled the meaning of banana republic and found this: “A ‘banana republic’ describes a politically unstable country, often in Central America, whose economy relies heavily on exporting a single product (like bananas) and is exploited by foreign corporations and corrupt local elites, leading to poverty, inequality, weak governance, and unrest, a term coined by O. Henry. It signifies a nation where real power rests with foreign business interests and corrupt officials, rather than its own people.”
Is Pinas morphing into a banana republic now? Or has it always been one? But it’s in Southeast Asia and not Central America. Its economy doesn’t rely on a single product although it does export bananas to other countries. But it’s “exploited by foreign corporations and corrupt local elites, leading to poverty, inequality, weak governance, and unrest,” thus, “real power rests with foreign business interests and corrupt officials, rather than its own people”—allegedly, supposedly, reportedly.
So, what’s the diff between a banana republic and Pinas? The continent?
Bananas are a monkey’s most favorite food — allegedly, supposedly, reportedly. I added those last three words in there otherwise the monkeys will protest because they also eat other fruits, veggies, insects, and small animals. I had to google that, too, since I don’t have the expertise of Dr. Jane Goodall. Oh. Her research was about chimpanzees, not monkeys.
Chimpanzees and monkeys are cousins. Much like some of the highest government officials in Pinas who are cousins. And even siblings.
One family can even be president, vice president, senator, congressman, governor, vice governor, mayor, vice mayor, councilor unless there’s now a bill against that. If some of them can’t find a province, district, city, or municipality where they can be a politician, they will be appointed to an important position in the government, thus, enabling them to govern Pinas as one happy and wealthy family.
Perhaps not wealthy yet when they’re still starting to occupy the country’s precious thrones. But after, say, a year or so in office, only the most trustworthy and honest Pinoy politician, that is, if he still exists, can remain poor, er, incorruptible.
Grafting and corrupting government officials will eventually become tired of hiding the fact that they now belong to the filthy rich. That’s when they will take the next step: washing their dirty money through laundering. They’ll need detergent and fabric softener.
If you see a retail store that remains open despite an absolute lack of customers, something fishy is happening in there. Or something wishy-washy.
Wealth can be measured through one’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) — or at least that’s what government officials want the Pinoy to believe.
Real wealth, however, is measured through one’s Joy Quotient (JQ) or Happiness Quotient (HQ). Is money relevant in computing the JQ/HQ? Yes, to help the Pinoy meet his basic needs like food. Only the intermittent fasting practitioner can be happy with an empty stomach for, hmmm, 40 days. After that, he won’t be happy anymore. He will be hungry.
By the way, Lent lasts for 40 days and can be the best time for a Christian to fast. No bananas allowed, of course.
