CORRUPTIONARY©

CORRUPTIONARY©, a glossary of corruption-related words, was launched to the media and the public on April 7, 2007, 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Popular Bookstore, T. Morato Ext. Corner Timog Avenue, Quezon City.

Said to be the first of its kind in the Philippines, the book is a publication of CenPEG’s Dapat Tapat anti-corruption advocacy. It was based on a research of Political Science students from the University of the Philippines (Manila) under CenPEG’s summer Volunteers Integration Program (VIP). Many of the corruption-related words came from sources in various government agencies and victims of corruption who preferred to remain anonymous.

CORRUPTIONARY© is also part of the University of the Philippines’ (Manila) Centennial Publications in line with the state university’s 100th founding anniversary.

Gracing the launch was former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Engr. Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, Sr. Mary John Manansan of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP), and movie director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna.

Lozada, in a short message, lamented the fact that corruption robs not only public money but also whatever hope for a better future remains among the people. “Hindi lang pala pera, ang nakikita ko pong malalang epekto ng korapsyon sa bansa kundi ang unti-unting pagnanakaw sa pag-asa ng mamamayan, pag-asa ng bayan,” Lozada told an audience of about 50 during the launch.

“Marami na pong mga kababayan natin ang nawawalan na ng pag-asa sa pagsasabi ng katotohanan. Kung sino pa ang nagsasabi ng totoo ito yung patago-tago, ito yung maraming kaso, samantalang ung mga nirereklamo sila ung napopromote,” he also said.

The media launch was opened by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, PhD. Brief remarks were made by Prof. Bernard Karganilla, chair of UP Manila’s Department of Social Sciences and Malaya opinion columnist.

The book was edited by stage director, scriptwriter and independent film director Bonifacio Ilagan. The concept was designed by Evi-ta Jimenez, CenPEG Executive Director; illustration by artist Fidel dela Torre.

CORRUPTIONARY© first edition

CORRUPTIONARY© third edition

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Book reviews

Below are excerpts of reviews of Corruptionary:

“The Corruptionary …shows a mixture of humor, disgust and anger toward corrupt persons and their acts…reflecting the Pinoy talent for puns and a hilarious dig at the corrupt official/s.” (Ramil Digal Gulle, “The Corruptionary will make you laugh till it hurts,” ABS-CBNnews.com)

“More than just a specialized dictionary, Corruptionary serves as an academic textbook for young Filipinos.” (Christine Ong, Channelnewsasia.com, Singapore)

“The book by itself could be entertaining but has a way of making us see ourselves as victim, observer or even participant in the culture of corruption. What could follow is a kind of epiphany, hopefully leading to anti-corruption advocacy.” (Elmer A. Ordonez, “Two books on corruption,” The Other View, Manila Times)

“Thanks to my chance meeting with the Corruptionary team, I'm finally positive I want to learn outside the classroom… I want to know things without being spoon-fed, to go somewhere, according to how I want to get there. It is going to be quite a walk.” (Sara O. Siguion-Reyna, “What I've learned: Getting there my own way,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 22, 2008)

“A first of its kind, Corruptionary …is a very rich source of information and analysis that should be useful for anticorruption advocacy in the Philippines. For the un-initiated, Corruptionary helps build awareness that is important in conscientization.” (Dr. Ronnie V. Amorado, “Corruption as hermeneutic and semiotic reality”)

“Many readers would shake their heads in amusement after finishing the book. There is, however, a sense of sadness that comes with the realization that the world of corruption is one that is likely to be with us for a long time—unless we find the words that will define what we want ourselves to become.” (Chit Estella, “Corruptionary: The lingo of corruption,” Verafiles.org)

“Senate whistleblower Rodolfo ‘Jun’ Lozada Jr., who also contributed a few words in the dictionary, can’t help but laugh about the whole thing. ‘Honestly, I found it funny. Imagine, corruption now has a dictionary!’ he said.” (“Dictionary on RP-style corruption hits the shelves,” GMAnews.tv)

“A fascinating collection, great for quiz shows…There's enough material in the book for symposia, class discussions, even a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation…Let's laugh at ourselves, but let's also get righteously angry as we examine how endemic dishonesty is, corrupting even our language.” (Michael Tan, “Popular,” Pinoy Kasi column, Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 20, 2008)

“Corruptionary’s signal publication should in fact give the creeps to the present administration. It may not inspire an Edsa 4 or 5, or a facsimile thereof, but its finding a place in bookshelves speaks volumes on how the general public views the present state of affairs in this country: no one in power is credible anymore, and it’s all the people can do from sinking into a cynicism of no return.” (Juaniyo Y. Arcellana, “Our damaged, dorobo culture,” Starweek, Philippine Star Sunday Magazine, May 18, 2008)

“Corruptionary as a distinct work is certain to enrich the literature representing the Philippines as a case in point, giving scholars from around the world additional literature which enhances their understanding.” (Prof. Kenneth E. Bauzon, New York City)