demons
Manila, 12 June—The past week has been brutal. In the end, we're all just fighting off our own demons, no? And in some cases, hard as it may seem to accept, the demons win out—may they be against world class artists or long-revered democratic institutions. I take comfort in the fact that many of my friends have been vocal about calling for kindness in this time of cruelty. Indeed, perhaps the most we can do for each other is signal that we're each other's safe spaces.
Thanks for being here. You make the world a much better place.
Much has already been said about the sad, sudden deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain last week. Coupled with the week-long rains, it all feels like we could use some extra-good champorado, Mendokoro ramen, ice-cold beer or extended hugs. I hope you can get whatever you need to get by—my weapon of choice is P20 7-Eleven coffee.
Rightly so, the conversation around the high-profile deaths has involved bringing up the importance of addressing mental illness, as well as re-surfaced discussion about how media can be a more responsible partner in reporting suicides.
Personally, I have refrained from passing on reports which contain graphic description of the means of death—nor do I seek out information about it myself. I understand it's the main point of curiosity—how?—but really, in the end, it truly does not matter.
And now that everyone contributes to the spread of news, we, too, must be responsible for what we send out to the world, especially since it's been proven that certain types of media coverage can contribute to suicide clusters (I'm still so mad at how 13 Reasons Why is exacerbating this for profit, but that's another issue entirely.)
Anyway, here is another resource about suicide clusters via Psychology Today, and another one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
I take a bit of issue with the whole sub-conversation that guilts somebody else for "not reaching out" themselves—I acknowledge that it takes a certain bandwidth or skill to truly be helpful. I've had a bit of run myself along that spectrum where I did not want to be helped, so yes, it's complicated, but the good news is it's not impossible to navigate.
If this week has led you to have some thoughts about needing help, I may know someone who can help you. Let me know.
Earlier last week, I read with great alarm a tweet from a former colleague detailing how an unnamed online news site's reporters have been explicitly told to tone down reportage on the President's disgusting kissing incident in South Korea during his visit there, among other parameters. The tweet has since been removed, and has likely put that colleague in hot water, because, while unnamed in the tweet, it was obvious what outfit he was referring to.
On Friday, the Inquirer announced the retirement of longtime chair Marixi Prieto, and the subsequent election of former Readers' Advocate and Securities and Exchange Commissioner Raul Palabrica in her stead. This happened even as the sale of the Inquirer to businessman Ramon S. Ang remains hanging in the balance.
For many friends still with the Inquirer, this has been the single biggest source of anxiety for them, as their future remains uncertain. Will they or won't they?
It makes my heart ache. It makes me angry. How can the country's once most-read newspaper fall this way? Controversial as it may sound, I feel that this is not entirely this President's fault, although he may very well be the one who delivered one of the most crushing blows. But still—we saw this coming, didn't we? Painful as it must be to admit, it had been barely hanging on. So while it may be battling one of the most disgusting external demons, perhaps it is fighting many demons—and perhaps, including several inside.
This should be a very interesting case study. If I finish it, would you read it?
Rec alert: Parkland students singing "Seasons of Love" in this year's 72nd Tony Awards.
Tears everywhere. See for yourself.
Rec alert: Sense8 on Netflix
We just got around to bingeing Season 1 of Sense8 in time for Pride, so I guess better late than never? Come watch with us—we just finished the 2-hour Season 2 pilot and WOW what a ride.