On the Fabros-Carabuena Encounter: Sad Realities of Philippine Class and Social Relations

Reference to the PDI article "Why MMDA traffic aide took it on the chin"

This story (i.e., the life of the poor Saturnino Fabros and his unfortunate encounter with the rich Robert Carabuena) is telling about a number of sad realities of Philippine society and social relations, including: 

(a) the nature of class conflict in which there are incommensurable differences between the rich and the poor in material, psychological, and spiritual terms;

(b) the sorry state of our economic development structure that favours the rich but perpetuates social immobility of the poor - even the most hardworking and efficient among them - who do not get the income and social entitlements they need and deserve to lead a dignified life;

(c) the logic of the social structure of poverty that locks the poor in a system of exploitation (be it in personal, electoral, or labour relations) but, at the same time, locks them out of political decision-making and socio-economic progress.

I'm just happy to note that in this Fabros-Carabuena encounter, the Filipino 'middle class' (at least the overwhelming majority of 'netizens') have taken the point of view of 'the victim', seen through the eyes of 'the poor', and chosen the side of 'social justice'. May this class formation continue in the enduring struggle for real social change.

Mabuhay po kayo, Mang Saturnino Fabros, kasama ng puwersa ng mga mulat na mamamayan na may kamalayan para sa pakikipagkapwa-tao, katarungan, at pagbabago!