It's Bigger Than America

"Star Wars" may be viewed as an allegory of recent Philippine history. The ancient, ailing emperor who whipped the galaxy into submission is obviously the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled for 20 years. The Imperial Stormtroopers are the forces of martial law. There's Darth Vader, a Jedi knight seduced by the dark side who ultimately takes sides with the good guys--you may see parallels with former Defense secretary (now Senator) Juan Ponce Enrile, although many other politicians who would like to claim this as their story. There is the brave little band of rebels led by Luke Skywalker--read the political opposition. Like Luke Skywalker, they had a lot in common with Darth Vader.

We have seen how Anakin Skywalkers are transformed into Darth Vaders, and we remain vigilant lest the Empire strike back. The formerly uninvolved Ewoks of Endor are drawn into the conflict with the Empire, much like the Filipino middle class, which found itself in the thick of the protest movement. There is the swashbuckling Han Solo throwing in his lot with the rebels--shades of Gen. (later President) Fidel Ramos and the officers of the Reform Armed Forces Movement.

The droids R2-D2 and C-3PO could be the media. Obi-Wan Kenobi, who in death became more powerful than the Empire had ever imagined, is former senator Benigno Aquino Jr., whose assassination triggered a chain of events leading to the fall of Marcos. Princess Leia could only be Corazon Aquino, who became president after the Edsa revolution of 1986.

All these events happened a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. In our case, exactly 13 years ago on Feb. 25, on a street now made unrecognizable by vast shopping malls whose shining interiors and consumer temptations remind me that the Death Star is still operational.

Jessica Zafra is a newspaper columnist and radio/TV talk-show host in Manila.

© 1999