“In order to write poetry that isn’t political,
I must listen to the birds;
And in order to listen to the birds,
The warplanes must be silent.”
─ Marwan Makhoul, Palestinian Poet
“We are non-political. We don’t engage in politics.”
I was told by one youth of mine the other day. The nature of my work in the LGU will be revealed if I told you why they chose to visit our office, and I have gotten in hot water already for being as vocal as I am in local politics. So, if my writing may seem a little bit impersonal from here on out, just know that this is the reason I must obscure this little tidbit.
Anyway—
As I catered to them, I wondered, as I often do: But what is existence but inherently political?
In the intricate tapestry of human life, existence and politics are inextricably woven together, suggesting that every facet of our personal and social lives is influenced by political forces and, in turn, impacts political structures. We don’t live in a vacuum; we are interconnected to people and systems, regardless of their claim of being political or otherwise.
Identity is a primary example of how existence is political. I identify as a Filipino working class pansexual woman, which are not just personal attributes but also political categories that affect my experiences and opportunities in life. As a queer person, I can’t count the number of times I’ve been told that I’ll just “become straight” kung makatilaw na ko sang namit nga buto. By that illogical logic, a namit nga buto can also be used on a man to turn them gay, right? Kidding aside, identities have been politicized through legislation and social norms even in recent history. For instance, gender-based restrictions in various societies have demonstrated how political structures can enforce and perpetuate discrimination. Filipino women couldn’t vote as recent as 1937. Thank Heavens for social reforms! In contemporary society, identity politics plays a crucial role in advocating for marginalized groups. Movements such as LGBTQ+ rights campaigns highlight how personal identities are not only central to individual experiences but also to broader political struggles for equality and justice. These movements underscore that our existence is inherently political, as the fight for recognition and rights reflects the ongoing negotiation of power within society. Even senators fight over which public toilet bowl queer people must sit for fuck’s sake!
Economic conditions, shaped by political decisions, profoundly influence our personal and social realities. For example, debates over minimum wage laws and healthcare reform directly affect individuals' quality of life and opportunities for advancement. Back to the youth organization which started this whole thing: the mere existence of their youth organization is already political, as they aim to help those in need. Charity and poverty are both political because issues such as income inequality, employment opportunities, and access to education and healthcare are determined by political policies and economic systems.
Institutions such as the family, education systems, and media are not neutral; they are imbued with political values and serve to reproduce certain ideologies. For instance, the conscious decision of our educational institutions to overwork and underpay their teachers and their reluctance to offer Martial Law, Sex Education, and other “controversial topics” that don’t align with patriarchal (and Christian/Catholic religious) views often reflect and reinforce dominant cultural and political narratives, shaping how individuals perceive themselves and their place in the world.
Like pieces of s*** doomed to eternal hellfire and damnation.
Public policy decisions impact everyday activities, from the availability of public services to the regulation of personal freedoms. These policies are a reflection of political priorities and have direct consequences for how individuals navigate their lives. Back in November 2025, our house got destroyed by Bagyong Tino, which made us (supposedly) eligible for the ayuda. We managed to receive our share of the pot, 15,325 Php for totally damaged houses. The others were not so lucky to be listed. It is still an ongoing discussion within the city, exactly four months after the tragedy, of which I will no longer comment on further. I do not want to rock the boat again and get fired.
Therefore, I conclude (haha), understanding the political dimensions of daily life is essential for recognizing how our personal experiences are intertwined with broader political systems. Personal choices, such as career paths, lifestyle preferences, and activism, also carry political significance. The decisions individuals make are often influenced by political conditions and can, in turn, influence political outcomes.
For example, did you know? The biggest recruiter of the New People’s Army is Marcos. This is because the CPP-NPA chose to respond to the political injustices of Martial Law through armed conflict as a means of advocating for change back in the day. Resistance and compliance with political norms are inherent in personal choices. Acts of resistance, such as protests or civil disobedience, challenge existing political structures and advocate for new possibilities. Conversely, compliance with political norms often reflects a desire to maintain stability or benefit from the current system. These choices highlight how personal existence is not isolated but rather a part of a larger political context.
Honestly, I have surface level knowledge about the philosophical and critical theories that discuss the relationship between existence and politics. But so far as I know (thank Ecosia), Existentialist philosophy, for instance, emphasizes individual freedom and choice, highlighting how personal existence is shaped by and shapes political realities. And Marxist theory explores how socioeconomic conditions influence personal identity and existence, emphasizing the role of class struggle in shaping human experiences.
Critical theories such as feminist, queer, and postcolonial theories analyze how political power dynamics intersect with personal identities. These perspectives reveal how political systems perpetuate inequalities and how challenging these systems can lead to transformative social change. By examining existence through these theoretical lenses, we gain a deeper understanding of how personal and political realms are intertwined.
Evolving political landscapes will continue to impact personal existence. Emerging issues such as climate change, technological advancements, and, even the recent wars on Gaza, Iran, Venezuela, and the UAE, will shape and be shaped by our experiences. It’s all overwhelming, really, but understanding the political nature of existence will be crucial for navigating these changes and advocating for a more just and equitable world. I hope we don’t come out of this year as cynics. It’s exhausting living in unprecedented times. May we live on more precedented times. One with certainty of a peaceful and equitable future.
So please, never let me hear you that you are “not political” ever again. Mere existence is political.
Posted 03/03/2026
