What’s wrong with the wang-wang?

By Marifi Jara

QUELIMANE, Mozambique–Strangers to Philippine society and culture would be scratching their heads when they read, in the English translation, that part of our new President’s inaugural speech which struck a major nerve among Filipinos:

“No more influence-peddling, no more patronage politics, no more stealing. No more sirens, no more short cuts, no more bribes.”

Huh, sirens? All the other items are straight forward enough and nothing was lost in translation. But “sirens” does sound misplaced in that sentence.

The confusion could arise from one interpretation: Surely President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, the first bachelor President of the country, could not be referring to a siren as in a temptress, seductress, or a charming woman. Or was he?

Or is that a siren as in the blinking-wailing apparatus:  So what’s wrong with sirens when these can actually save precious lives when used by an ambulance in a life-or-death situation, or stop a crime when turned on in a police car that is rushing to a scene, or minimize damage as when a fire truck rushes to a blazing area? Indeed, the siren in itself as a warning device is an instrument of salvation.

But in the original Filipino with which P-Noy delivered his speech —“…Walang wang-wang…” — aha, Filipinos and those familiar with Filipino mores immediately get it. And they nod their heads in agreement and approval.

The wang-wang for us has come to symbolize the abuse of power that some people in authority (or worse, have the illusion of authority) have for so long now been enjoying without shame or guilt.

In the Philippines, we hear a wang-wang blaring and more often than not the first thing that comes to mind is not “oh what could be the emergency?” but rather “so who is it this time who is pa-importante?”

And so when P-Noy said “Walang wang-wang”, we understand and interpret it to mean that he is reinforcing his campaign promise to stop corruption, which has been one of the biggest causes of social inequality.

“Walang wang-wang” is a promise for change towards good governance where we can count on our elected leaders to act and make decisions as true public servants rather than throwing their weight around like abusive feudal lords.

Hopefully, by the President’s sincere and evident example, we will see a “Walang wang-wang” culture spreading among our national officials and local government leaders (and those feeling VIPs) everywhere in the country.

Now try shouting out “Walang wang-wang” repeatedly like a cheer or slogan and it begins to sound like a hypnotizing chant. To strangers it might sound quite funny, but it could prove to be a magic mantra.

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