STUNNING and meaningful! This is the story about tsinelas (slippers) that, for me, (really) “shocked” the world. It happened in Washington, District of Columbia in the United States of America (USA) just recently.
Filipino-American human rights advocates displayed 3,000 pairs of white slippers across the National Mall in Washington, DC on Nov. 18, 2021. It hogged the headlines of almost all news outlets (print, digital and broadcast) around the world.
Asked why, the initiators said the tsinelas action paid tribute to over a thousand Filipinos killed in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs as well as his administration’s crackdown on activities and community leaders.
Likewise, this unique tsinelas display in the US was also aimed at calling on US legislators to pass the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA) and suspend security assistance to the Philippines until its government makes certain reforms to its military and police forces.
Wow, so deep and doughty. Making tsinelas a symbol of the human rights crusade is quite intriguing, but maybe historical. Tsinelas, per Philippine history, culture and tradition, was a symbol of discipline and punishment.
Corporeal punishment against kids before was symbolized by tsinelas. I do agree. Kids in 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, for sure, will agree that tsinelas were a sort of disciplinary tools used by their parents.
Quite funny to remember but yes, I experienced such “laughable” moments. “Papa-on ka gid sa buli gamit ang tsinelas” because I was “pig-headed” sometimes.
Watch a 2013 YouTube video entitled “Secret of La Chancla” and you’ll be amazed how the “reign of tsinelas” became a part of the Hispanic culture as well in making kids so well-behaved.
SIGNAL FOR ALERT
Aside from being disciplinary tools, tsinelas were also used to signal alertness among kids. Their clapping noise connoted warning for anyone’s attention and focus.
And maybe the recent display of tsinelas in Washington, DC was anchored on this belief. The initiators wanted the US government to somehow issue a warning or disciplinary action on President Duterte.
The controversial war on drugs popularly known as “tokhang” already caught attention of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Hence, ICC is bound to probe the sitting Philippine president.
Will it materialize? Will tsinelas imply the “doomsday” of President Duterte sooner?
SELFLESSNESS
Our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, had his own tsinelas story. It’s all about selflessness, according to Ambeth Ocampo in his column in @inquirerdotnet published on Aug. 5, 2020.
Playing by the riverbank, Ocampo said, one of Rizal’s slippers fell into the water and was carried off by the current.
Having failed to retrieve it, and with one slipper now rendered useless, Ocampo continued, Rizal decided to throw in the other slipper so that someone downstream would find the pair and have a complete set.
Moral of Rizal’s tsinelas story is simply not to be afraid of losing something that could make someone happy later.
SIMPLE BUT RELIABLE
Tsinelas, according to www.tagaloglang.com, came from Spanish phrase “chinelas,” which means slippers or sandals.
Tsinelas in the Philippines became popular due to its simplicity, flexibility, reliability, and modesty. It is pleasant to wear, affordable, light-weight, functional, convenient, and available anywhere.
Thus, Bacolod City’s Vice Mayor El Cid is in the right orb. He is known for his distinctive tsinelas campaign in the city. In this part of the country, tsinelas is synonymous to El Cid’s name.
Since 2018, El Cid has already given out almost 100,000 pairs of tsinelas to poor Bacolodnons.
And many saw in El Cid tsinelas’ characteristics – simple, prim and proper, silent-type, modest, but so reliable anytime, anywhere.
MARVELOUS, EXPLICIT, CHASTE
El Cid previously explained that his tsinelas campaign aimed at instituting cleanliness among Bacolodnons, and later to entice them to get vaccinated against coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19).
Yes, he succeeded! The campaign was embraced and loved by Bacolodnons.
El Cid’s tsinelas campaign is bolstered by what happened in Washington, DC. Making tsinelas as tangible symbols for human rights (HR) is a “big thing” that could cause great impact in the lives of ordinary people. And El Cid should know more about this HR thing in his “tsinelas” campaign.
The meaning, of course, is marvelous. The impact is explicit. And the essence is chaste.
SPELLS SIMPLICITY
Human rights involve freedoms that belong to every person in the world – from birth to death. However, the application and protection of such regardless of where you are from, what you believe in and how you choose to live your life sometimes obfuscate matters. Using tsinelas as possible icons for human rights spells simplicity –very easy to understand. Too, it speaks about protection and respect of the rights and dignity of the poor.
For the Bible (in Proverbs 31:8-9) also says, “Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
South African civil rights advocate Nelson Mandela once stressed, “To deny people of their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”
SO MANY STORIES TO TELL
Well, I feel I am so “blessed” to read so many stories about tsinelas. It’s a “priceless” privilege to know the wonders and essence of tsinelas in people’s lives. The lesson of simplicity is worth emulating. Bacolodnons, therefore, are lucky enough to be beneficiaries El Cid’s tsinelas campaign.
Beyond giving, the meaning of such is sonorous for everyone’s protection both in health and their basic rights. Above all, I do hope that tsinelas would “play” significant roles in the controversial war on drugs in the country.
However, can tsinelas (really) impose discipline on President Duterte? Or can usher justice for the victims’ kin. Let’s just wait and see.
Hanggang saan ka ba dadalhin ng tsinelas mo?/PN
