The Philippine Online Chronicles

I first met Benigno three years ago at the defunct Filipinovoices.com. His views created a lot of spirited discussion and even some conflict among its members. His blunt views and replies to comments terrified me that I shuddered just looking at his avatar. I read all the other political bloggers who offered different perspectives. Before the May 2010 elections, I read as much as I could for my advocacy on voters education. The Platform Philippines was something I wanted to share to my readers because it encouraged critical thinking in selecting the right candidate. I mustered enough courage to email Benigno who readily allowed me to use the platform matrix. This paved the way to introduction to four other team members. I may not agree to some of their posts and even the delivery style but I like the idea of real change for our country. I pick these ideas and connect the dots to other perspectives be it the left, conservative, opposition and the pro- administration.

The viral video sparked discussion in Facebook , forums and in twitter on the person behind the video. I tried to contact Baron Buchokoy for an interview but sources say he would rather maintain his “efforts as an idealistic effort”. Meaning I don’t want to attribute it to one person (me). “

Knowing Baron’s ideas were inspired from articles of Get Real Philippines, I thought an interview with Benigno might give me a perspective on the messaging of the video. The video production is definitely brillant and engaging and perhaps I can talk to Baron about his animation technique some other time.

Here is my 40 minute interview with Benigno via Skype . Download or stream the podcast or listen in iTunes. It is my first podcast so hope you can bear with my uh-and other  pauses. Here are the questions and just a snippet of our conversation.

1. For the benefit of those who do not know you, why did you create Get Real Philippines? Why are you using “Benign0”? Do you intend to reveal your real identity anytime soon?

Get Real Philippines started in 2000 when Erap websites were springing around the web. He had a lot of things to say so he got an account in Geocities. The name “Benign0” is something personal to him. It had nothing to do with a famous person. Many people think that he named himself from Teddy Benigno even if a lot of his material inspired him.

Antipinoy.com and Getrealphilippines.com are two separate blogs. Get Real and Antipinoy.com used to collaborate in the past but not at the present time.

2. There has been so much speculation on the person behind the video: Imee Marcos? GMA? Or someone that will benefit in the 2016 presidential election. And to quote Cocoy the “style is common enough, and reminiscent of the style of antipinoys. It amazed me that something like this has gone far as it has, but I really shouldn’t right?”

Is Baron a team member of Get Real Philippines? I noticed that the content is the same issues you discuss in Get Real and to some extent in Anti Pinoy. Baron mentioned that he doesn’t want to attribute the video just to himself.

Baron Buchokoy is not a team member of Get Real Philippines. He does not interact with them directly outside the public forum.

3. Did you play a role in the ideas presented? Which ideas were these?

Would it have been better if he had a face and real name so people will understand his motives?

Benigno had nothing to do with the conceptualization of the video. Baron just got some of the ideas and turned it on the video. Finding out his identity does not add to the nature of debate.

4. When I read the twitter reactions, my observation is that most of the readers think that the Hacienda Luisita issue is true but the latter part is just not believable. This made me think that the purpose of the video was to encourage critical thinking , to discern the truth, and further read up on the issues. Maybe I am reading much into the video but it I felt it encourage even an apathetic social media user to think about these issues.

My observation is similar to the comment in youtube .“The question is not whether it is rehashed, recycled or old allegations. The question are - are they true? Did they actually happened? For instance, the matter of the non-distribution of Hacienda Luisita to the farmers, the death of many of the claimants, the Mendiola massacre, and the other allegations mentioned therein, are true or false? If it is false, no problem. But if it is true, that is the problem.

What is the purpose of the video other than to counter another view portrayed in traditional media ?

The purpose is to inspire critical thinking. He seemed to share the same ethic when Baron applied content. The real point is traditional media is not the underdog here.

Benigno sees the video to engage the viewers and invite them to comment

4. What do you think is the short term resolution or call for action? A reader comments that the video has 3 points- genuine agrarian reform, conflict among classes and genuine democracy. It is idealistic yet possible to attain in the next generation , our children’s children. I was looking at short term solutions we can do today: education of the youth through youtube videos to address these 3 issues separately. Using other social media channels? How does this tie up with Get Real!'s manifesto “describing how exactly we expect to induce change considering only "wired" Filipinos have access to our message…”

The replies are best heard  by listening or downloading the podcast .

Screencap from the youtube video.