In a candid column published on December 17, 2025, veteran journalist Stella Estremera expressed profound weariness with the nation's political climate, declaring 'kapoy na' (I'm tired). Her piece, a reflection on the escalating toxicity she observes, connects contemporary political maneuvers to age-old truths about deception and prejudice.
From Unfollowing to a Broader Disillusionment
Estremera recounts that after resigning as editor-in-chief of SunStar Davao in 2018, her first act was to curate her social media, unfollowing numerous national and international news sites. She notes that while social media was already problematic then, the toxicity has worsened to unimaginable levels with the 2028 elections now just over two years away. Her current strategy is to actively unfollow 'all posts and posters that carry the lies,' a direct response to the disinformation she sees proliferating.
The Enduring 'Snooty Manila' Bias Against Bisayas
A core theme of her column is the entrenched prejudice from Luzon, particularly Manila's elites, against Visayans. She cites the example of former Senator Tito Sotto, who she claims never acknowledged his Cebuano roots, preferring association with the show 'Eat Bulaga' over kinship with his granduncle, Cebuano senator Vicente Y. Sotto.
Estremera reinforces this point with an anecdote about a former Bisaya boss who, despite prestigious education at Ateneo de Manila and Ivy League institutions, was always looked down upon because of his origins. This bias, she argues, fuels the current political fear towards figures like Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, whom she calls 'the epitome of being Bisaya.'
Unholy Alliances and the Weaponization of Lies
The columnist observes that diverse political factions—the 'Pinks, Yellows, the Red of BBM and the Reds of the communists'—have allied in a common campaign. Instead of addressing genuine corruption, she asserts they are 'painting, all in one voice, Inday [Sara Duterte] as the most corrupt.'
To dissect this phenomenon, Estremera turns to historical wisdom. She quotes George Bernard Shaw's 1891 'Quintessence of Ibsenism' on how a guilty society distrusts innocence, and William Shenstone's 1804 essays on how lies eventually make truth appear false. She even references Leviticus 19:11 from the Bible, implying that current leaders brazenly violate its commandments against lying and deceit.
Her conclusion is a mix of exhaustion and resolve. Repeating 'kapoy na,' Estremera ends with a call to action, stating 'See you at the polls,' and a hope for divine justice. The piece serves as both a personal lament and a sharp critique of the narratives shaping the pre-election landscape.
