'Marry a pure Filipina, have children and establish Babyville'. That's what I will tell Bruce Wane if I ever get to see him. Let me tell you why.
If batman will be a citizen of the Philippines, I will be so delighted. I know that it wont be hard for him to adapt to the environment because as much as there are dangers in Gotham, there are also lots of dangers and threats lurking in Manila. That is assuming he will live in Manila as I hope he would.
I would like Batman to know three things – three important and essential things that could be his inspiration in staying in the Philippines for good.
First, I will tell him that there are hundreds or thousands of street children in Manila alone. Being a mother myself, i feel emotional seeing them like that - working, lost, and hopeless. Whatever happened to Jose Rizal's statement "Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng Inang Bayan" (The future of the nation is the youth)?
I will encourage Batman to seek and find those heads of syndicates who are holding these children as captives, making them work day and night, robbing them of their childhood, blinding them literally to earn money, stripping them off of their right to be educated, and more. They murder these children alive. You would even see babies being used to collect alms. How cruel is that? And the fact that no politicians could even stop it frustrates the heck out of me. I hope somehow batman could see what I mean. I'll ask him to help and get those children out of that hell on earth. And we may call this mission – his would be first one, as Mission Imbabyble. We can also use the Greatest Love of All as the theme song for this mission. That way we could also give tribute to Whitney. Aww! What has she got to do with this story? But hey, imagine Batman walking in the street with all those children he just saved while this is playing:
"I believe that children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Teach them a sense of pride
To make it easier
Let the children's laughter
Remind us how we used to be..."
I bet Batman would agree. Besides, he was once a kiddo.
Second, I'll ask him to establish Babyville. Babyville is a term i coined for a village of children who used to be homeless, children who used to be on the street as slaves of syndicates, or children who are orphans.
I imagine this village as a perfect home for these special children. I don't suggest it to be a eutopic place. But I wish it will have playgrounds, bookstores, school and libraries. For who knows what will become of these children. And I believe that in every child's person there's a batman growing inside of them. There's a great potential in each one of them as each one is unique. It just needs to be awakened and nurtured. Besides that, Batman himself is a hero the children admire.
Here's a sample picture of the school I want in Babyville. How do you like it to have 100 classrooms with batman inspired windows? I like it very much. Of course the Philippine flag should be on top of the building. Let us stop ignoring nationalism.
If batman will be a citizen of the Philippines, I will be so delighted. I know that it wont be hard for him to adapt to the environment because as much as there are dangers in Gotham, there are also lots of dangers and threats lurking in Manila. That is assuming he will live in Manila as I hope he would.
I would like Batman to know three things – three important and essential things that could be his inspiration in staying in the Philippines for good.
First, I will tell him that there are hundreds or thousands of street children in Manila alone. Being a mother myself, i feel emotional seeing them like that - working, lost, and hopeless. Whatever happened to Jose Rizal's statement "Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng Inang Bayan" (The future of the nation is the youth)?
I will encourage Batman to seek and find those heads of syndicates who are holding these children as captives, making them work day and night, robbing them of their childhood, blinding them literally to earn money, stripping them off of their right to be educated, and more. They murder these children alive. You would even see babies being used to collect alms. How cruel is that? And the fact that no politicians could even stop it frustrates the heck out of me. I hope somehow batman could see what I mean. I'll ask him to help and get those children out of that hell on earth. And we may call this mission – his would be first one, as Mission Imbabyble. We can also use the Greatest Love of All as the theme song for this mission. That way we could also give tribute to Whitney. Aww! What has she got to do with this story? But hey, imagine Batman walking in the street with all those children he just saved while this is playing:
"I believe that children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Teach them a sense of pride
To make it easier
Let the children's laughter
Remind us how we used to be..."
I bet Batman would agree. Besides, he was once a kiddo.
Second, I'll ask him to establish Babyville. Babyville is a term i coined for a village of children who used to be homeless, children who used to be on the street as slaves of syndicates, or children who are orphans.
I imagine this village as a perfect home for these special children. I don't suggest it to be a eutopic place. But I wish it will have playgrounds, bookstores, school and libraries. For who knows what will become of these children. And I believe that in every child's person there's a batman growing inside of them. There's a great potential in each one of them as each one is unique. It just needs to be awakened and nurtured. Besides that, Batman himself is a hero the children admire.
Here's a sample picture of the school I want in Babyville. How do you like it to have 100 classrooms with batman inspired windows? I like it very much. Of course the Philippine flag should be on top of the building. Let us stop ignoring nationalism.
Third, since he will be a citizen of the Philippines already, I will tell him why it's best to marry a pure Filipina.
A pure Filipina has strong moral values. Being raised in a conservative home, a pure Filipina will not act decadent in public or in private. For she cares and respects the name of her parents and she will never want to tarnish it with negative actions. For this reason, Mr. Superhero will never be shamed nor be a target of mockery for he has a jewel more precious than rubies.
A pure Filipina is strong but gentle. She has her own opinions and in case you might disagree with her thought, you will never have to fear to let her know, for she knows that in reality, it's better to agree to disagree. You will love her more and she'll respect you more.
I will tell Batman he'll never go wrong with a pure Filipina. Why? Because she understands the concept of culture and she sees it in proper context. Living in an archipelago of 7,100+ islands (minus one during high tide) with more than ___ languages and dialects with many different cultures and traditions, a pure Filipina will recognize why her ways are different from those of his. She will never judge or laugh in his peculiarities, because like him, she too will be strange in his sight. She might even look like an atypical creature to him. But he will learn from her. He will exercise seeing things in different vantage points as it will help him mightily with his moves and tactics against his enemies. For that he as a superhero will find the greatest support and the most marvelous fan in her.
By finding a pure Filipina, he will be closer to nature. A pure Filipina appreciates nature in a different kind of way in the same way she understands the differences between cultures. She will educate Batman about the benefits from the sun and the usefulness of the rain. In this way he will find every season as his companion, his ally even in times of trouble, for he will know how to manage each season to his advantage. And he will know himself even better. Thanks be to the treasure he finds, the heroin of the superhero - his pure Filipina.
When he finds the one, I will advise him to have children. He will never have to be anxious because his heroin can take care of more than one. She is strong but gentle, remember? Together with her and the children they will produce, he will be able to institute Babyville very well.
I will just have one favor to ask him. That is to hire me to teach history in Babyville Academy. I could look like this.
Well that's if I won't freak the kids out! If so, I will just be me teaching the importance of the past (which is you know - history) and identity. When we are all gone, even Batman, we will be part of history if we make a difference. I want Babyville kiddos to make a difference. I want to make a difference. Like Batman made a difference. Like others made a difference too. And be part of history like the heroes and the superheroes did.
And when I’m hired already, I will invite another hero to teach about literacy. Guess who he is.
I guess it would be so much fun with this guy! Like the others, he is also making history. Could you imagine having Batman and Efren together? Maybe there should be a story entitled Batman and Efren:To the Rescue. But that would be another different and significant story. What say you?
________________________________
Image of Philippine flag taken from: mclaw08.wordpress.com
Image of Batman taken from google.com
Image of Philipine flag/logo in Batman's chest taken from google.com
Batman masks from: Fully Booked's Batman Package
This blog is my entry to the The Dark Knight Reborn: David Finch in Manila Bloggers' Challenge by Fully Booked. Check out Fully Booked's events in www.fullybookedonline.com/davidfinch