Seriously, we are feeding unto his ego when we talk about him. The best that we can do at this point–and i mean this very seriously–is for us to express our galit (anger) by ignoring him. Yes, we need to ignore him. But NOT his actions. Never. There must be justice here eventually.

BUT the most damning and the most hurtful thing especially for a person like him who happens to earn through his brand is simply for people to JUST IGNORE him and never to mention his name. If my readers would allow me to say this, let’s just describe him as ” The UnNamed One“.

The more we mention his name, the more popular he becomes.

Now, what have we learned from this scandal?

1. People are really biased. They form opinions based on their observations more than anything. For example, there are insidious talk about Fajardo’s gender preference as a probable explanation or cause of his actions. That, for me, is below the belt.

This person’s gender preference has nothing to do with his actions. I have many gay friends who are not like him. They are intelligent, articulate, creative and very humble with their accomplishments.

One primary example of such a person is Ricky Reyes. He’s very humble. He’s known everywhere yet nothing damning nor any derogatory reports about him.

Another one is Manny Pangilinan, head honcho of PLDT. He’s gay. Yet, look at how people respect him.

Bad people are bad just because their nature are like that. People say they’re bad because of the way they treated other people. Research says men are more violent than women. So, is domestic violence justified just because men, by nature, according to reseach, are violent-prone?

2. Wealth has nothing to do with manners. Good manners and right conduct are things which we learn from our parents. I have many influential and rich friends who are not arrogant. They don’t use their influence and they obviously don’t think of “poor” people as unequal or bereft of respect.

In fact, the richer one becomes, the more sympathetic you should be to those who are left behind the opportunity totem pole.

3. Filipinos look into the heart, not on the words. That’s the thing about us. This UNnamed One apologized already infront of national television. Yet, we are wont to forgive him because we think he’s insincere.

For me, that’s the most admirable trait about us, Filipinos. We know how to analyze and look into one’s heart. However, closer study would reveal that this trait is both harmful and good.

Good in the sense, that we are’nt easily misled by what we see. Harmful because we are not pychologists or sociologists to know what’s the level of insincerity or sincerity that a person must have for us to accept such an apology.

I remember how Gloria Arroyo apologized for that Garci scandal. Despite those puppy eyes and those kitten looks, everybody thinks she’s guilty. Yet, the anger stopped at that. We, obviously, did’nt go to the extent of demanding justice; unlike in this case, where everybody demanded that this UnNamed One be crucified, jailed, and cussed. Gloria and this UNNAMED ONE both did the same thing—they bullied us around, they used whatever influence they have and they abused whatever trust and popularity. Un equal treatment or view of justice?

4. Filipinos have a fairly judicious side. When we saw the video, we immediately said that there’s injustice here. Probably because many of us identified with the condition of Marvin and we, at one point in our lives, encountered such contemptuous behavior.

The good thing is, Marvin became a rallying point; an obvious representative of the oppressed and as such, merits our collective response. I must say that this scandal should be a learning to everyone that we must act with promptness when we see oppression happening right before our very eyes. That, every bit or semblance of oppression should never be glossed over or pass on simply because the oppressor is mighty, is rich, is influential or claims to be popular.

Filipinos still has a sense of what’s right and what’s terribly wrong; but we need to apply this lesson in every circumstance and in every aspect of our lives.

We must simply act when we are oppressed. We must act to correct a wrong immediately. We must always think that injustice, in all its forms, should be addressed with dispatch.

5. Every Filipino are being bullied. By being angry with this UNNAMED ONE, we proved to the world that we still have the temerity to stand up against bullies. This UNNAMED ONE is definitely a bully. Bullying in school, in the workplace and everywhere SHOULD STOP. And the power to do so rests in the hands of the People.

We are being bullied by this government in the form of economic sabotage. Graft and corruption is a form of sabotage. People in government rob us of our monies and is therefore, sabotaging our economic growth.

We are being bullied by this government by forcing us to pay exorbitant taxes, like VAT. VAT oppresses the poor. We pay more taxes than the rich.

We are being bullied by this government when they try to ram constitutional changes right before our very eyes. People in government want to change how we live and how we view things simply because they want to extend their evil rule in this country.

And lastly, we are being bullied because we wallow in poverty and oppression when they, our public servants, enjoy the trappings of power and wealth. Our inherent right is to live decently. It is our right to enjoy good service since we are all taxpayers. Yet, the reality is we are being bullied into submission and denied our right to good service.

Let us join hands and stop this bullying. Bullies, like this UNNAMED ONE, should be meted with the People’s Justice.

The Facts

This so-called “scandalous” incident started when an unknown fashion designer name Boyet Fajardo went to Duty-Free Philippines to buy chocolates. He just came from China and reportedly wanted to buy pasalubong for his staff.

According to him, he was tired and stressed out. After disembarkation, he went straight to Duty-Free. In an interview with the now-controversial Fajardo, Alex Santos of TV Patrol found out that Fajardo managed to buy at least three items in three counters. On all those purchases, he presented his Philippine passport.

On the last counter, Counter 5, this is where Fajardo encountered some problems. Based on his interview with some TV reporters whom I know, Fajardo claimed to have seen Susan Gonzales, the duty cashier nudge Marvin Fernandez, the new assistant. Fajardo claims that Gonzales nudged Fernandez when they saw his disabled left arm (according to an editor friend, Fajardo has a limp. He can’t use his left arm since its shorter than his right and he can’t move it).

Fajardo approached Counter 5 and presented his unsigned Equitable Mastercard gold card (This is according to reporters who interviewed Fajardo).

Fernandez, who’s new in the job, asked Fajardo if he can show any form of identification. As the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) at DFP, Fernandez was just doing his job. He’s still three months on the job yet, according to reports, Fernandez is known for his honesty and a stickler to the rules. In fact, Fernandez is a member of a religious group known for their honesty and integrity.

Anyway, as what is expected from him, Fajardo showed his passport. Fernandez noticed that the passport did not bear Fajardo’s signature. In old passports, your signature just happens to be at the back flap. In Fajardo’s case,  a US Visa was plastered on the old flap.

Since both the passport and the credit card which Fajardo presented bore no signature, as what the SOP is, Fernandez asked for other forms of ID.

Fajardo, at this point, went ballistic. The gay fashion designer claimed that the other counters found nothing wrong with his passport. Why is he now suddenly being asked for it?

Fernandez calmly told him that it is Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for him to ask the customer some form of identification. Yet, according to reports, Fajardo just berated the poor guy.

It was at that point that Susan Gonzales supported her colleague against Fajardo. When Fajardo was castigating the two employees, the duty sales manager approached them. Fajardo requested that he be given the chance to explain his side. He asked for a place where they can sort things out.

Yet, instead of asking the parties to cool down and go to another place to calm the situation, the manager just asked Fernandez to kneel down before Fajardo, ” to end this thing once and for all, just do what the customer (Fajardo) wants”.

Now, you’ll ask—was’nt Fajardo who asked (or ordered Fernandez) to kneel before him? Again, basing on reports, Fajardo claims that it was the manager who actually told Fernandez to do the unthinkable.

For me, whoever ordered this despicable thing is irrelevant. If, Fajardo’s claims are true, that it was not him, then probably the reason why the manager suggested such a thing to Fernandez is because Fajardo was bullying them.

Fajardo, as what witnesses say, was shouting invectives and asserting himself. He was dropping off names of influential people left and right, just like that scene involving an ABS-CBN reporter who was mauled by a Congressional staff member.

Anyway, there is reason to believe that Fajardo’s suggestions (” I will never forgive you if you’ll not kneel down before me”–paraphrased already in English) were misinterpreted because Fajardo himself  continued on bullying these poor employees. Though the suggestion was rightly viewed by Mr. Fajardo’s spokesperson as ” creative outburst”, yet, it led to this highly contemptuous act which we now saw on the video clip.

The Fault

What’s now the fault of Fajardo? Though I believe Fajardo did’nt mean to commit a crime, yet, he can be sued for oral defamation since the two victims claimed that he cussed and made names (” you pig! or something to that effect).

Will Fajardo be jailed for it? Yes. In the Revised Penal Code, oral defamation carries a penalty of imprisonment.

Now, who’s fault is it?

Obviously, if you look at all angles, it was plain and simple bullying. Fajardo bullied the poor DFP employee Marvin Fernandez. Fajardo tried to harass, bull and he wanted to really humiliate Fernandez. Fernandez, for those who don’t know, is a homosexual.

Being new in the job (he’s not a regular member of the union of Duty-Free Philippines and just started three months ago), Fernandez is as vulnerable as anybody in that situation. The fact that Fajardo was name dropping (according to accounts, Fajardo even name dropped the name of the head of DFP, Formoso) caused Fernandez to quake in fear. Fajardo exploited the situation by bullying the duty manager, who, probably thought that “customers are always right” and ordered her staff to do the horrific act.

The Lesson

The lesson here is simple—some customers are NOT always right. Customers who think of themselves as members of the elite think they deserve special or extra special treatment. They don’t.

In fact, those who are celebrities or they think they’re popular (like what this Fajardo thinks of himself) is expected to behave more civilly than others. Public celebrities are expected by the people to be role models. They are NOT expected to behave like savages or “lords”.

Boyet Fajardo should always be reminded of his roots. Fajardo claims that he was once a cashier. That’s the reason, says one reporter friend, why he claims to empathize with Fernandez (apart from of course, the most obvious–they’re both gays).

Mr. Fajardo should also be reminded that all the riches in the world can’t buy you humanity. You can’t buy decency and right conduct. You obviously cannot buy respect. You simply don’t.

Respect, like any other thing in this world, is earned. And you earn it, not because you’re rich or you’re a “celebrated fashion designer” as you so claim, but because people genuinely love you.

When you’re truly loved, you’re truly respected. And when you’re respected, that’s the time that you become popular. And when you’re now popular, that’s the time that you should be more responsible. And when you’re more responsible, that’s the time that people think highly of you as a celebrity.

IN this case, Mr. Fajardo, you’re not loved. You’re hated. Because you failed to earn respect. When you lack respect, you’re simply unpopular. And when you’re unpopular, you simply are not responsible. And when you’re not responsible for anything, reality strikes you like a thunderbolt.

You are not a celebrity, Mr. Fajardo. You’re simply a flash in the pan. Some people call you now a douchebag. Yet, what I can say is, you’re simply a cause celebre.  Or probably a monstrosity.

Solution?

For Mr. Fajardo, leave this place. Go to a place where passports are simply recognized as an important document.

For Mr. Fernandez, continue the fight. You are a very good employee. Continue to be honest. Yet, I also suggest that you forgive Boyet. Afterwards, sue him.

For union president Dennis Mallari—I just got this information that you’re just using this incident as your political vehicle. Don’t. People, especially reporters and journalists, are hot on your trail. Don’t exploit Mr. Fernandez.

And for all customers of Duty Free Philippines—-next time, try to behave properly. Think that no one sees you but God? Look again. There’s a camera out there. And YouTube is just a click of a finger.

My fellow readers and bloggers all around—You’re right.

Boyet Fajardo’s actions are not justified. He should be condemned for what he did. I’m quite certain that we are supporting a good cause.

Onward with the struggle against self-indulgence! Onward with the struggle against those who think they are the High and the Mighty and we are are just slaves of their whims and caprices!

If you’re a successful person, all the more should you be responsible and aware of all your actions!

Boyet Fajardo Scandal Pics

Before I join those people who want to crucify Boyet Fajardo for his alleged anomalous or scandalous acts against two Duty-Free employees, just like before, I want to weigh all the pieces of evidence before I jump into conclusions.

Let me first ask if there was indeed, a crime committed by this Boyet Fajardo. From what I read in the blogs and what I saw on television, Boyet Fajardo may have offended the feelings of these two poor persons. Indeed, he might have burst into what the spokesperson called “creative outbursts” because he was tired and harassed.

However, he might be exonerated from this by invoking what in law is termed “justifying circumstance”.  Boyet Fajardo might have felt harassed too by the two employees of Duty-Free Philippines.

Consider this—according to the report of Sandra Aguinaldo of GMA Channel 7, Boyet Fajardo managed to buy three items using the same credit card in other counters prior to the incident. Based on that report, the cashiers of the earlier counters accepted his identification cards and his purchases.

When the cashier saw that Boyet Fajardo is a physically disabled guy, the video saw them nudging each other. Then, that incident happened. IT was only in that Cashier/Counter No. 5 that Boyet Fajardo was not allowed to purchase anything at all just because of his disability.

My dear readers,

Tell me if I’m wrong or not—could you tell me of any instance where anyone, just anyone, did not blow his top when a person judge him for his disability?

Will anyone please stand up and confidently tell me that there’s no instance where you actually did not lose your temper?

As Jesus Christ said, ” those who have no sin, let him cast the first stone.”

There was also a violation of Boyet Fajardo’s rights as a person. That’s the scandalous flipside.

As a member of the blogging community for quite some time, even was part of the online lynching mob that castigated Pangandaman and later, wrote something about the Dela Paz, let’s not be too hasty judging the actions of this character, Boyet Fajardo.

Yes, probably he did something terribly wrong that March 13. Yes, probably, he was so arrogant and so self-indulgent at that time to have offended that Duty-Free employee.

The problem with this scandal is simply this—was any one of those who now are part of the online lynching mob there to begin with?

Yes, there was a video shot showing this gay fashion designer in front of a kneeling employee. Yes, this issue could probably provoke another national scandal such as what blogger and friend Brian Gorrel did last year against Tim Yap and Celine Lopez.

But before we hastily judge a person and destroy his character online, let me ask the blogger community to remain calm and possibly be very restrained.

That video, quite honestly, does’nt tell much.

That video, without audio, is not a piece of evidence that will stand in court. Yes, probably in the court of public opinion, and most of us would hastily judge him guilty, but we don’t exactly know the circumstances behind that despicable scene.

Before we even make something like a boycott of our fellow Filipino’s pride and work, let’s be equally judicious in our role as bloggers. Seriously, I don’t want to be caught like holding an empty bag, similarly with what happened in the DelaPaz-Pangandaman issue. That one was a classic.

Let’s hear what the other side wants to say.

Without hastily judging this person, may I ask my friends and readers to please supply me with more info? Thanks!