The Gucci Gang
Posted on March 20th, 2008| Related posts: | ◙ OF CALLOUSNESS AND INDIFFERENCE |
| ◙ IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU | ◙ OF LIBEL AND HONOR |
| ◙ AN ANARCHY OF FAMILIES | ◙ THE GUCCI GANG |
IF IT WERE NOT for Celine Lopez, daughter of couple Albertito and Emily, there would be less interest on the so-called Gucci Gang controversy among the Ilonggos. The combined news elements of proximity and prominence made Iloilo Internet users googling minute by minute to get the latest info about that familiar name and why she was dragged into this high-society spectacle.
To those offline, this controversy started when Australian landscape designer Brian Gorrell accused his ex-lover, Filipino lifestyle columnist DJ Montano, of swindling him out of US$70,000 that he had lent him, purportedly for the purpose of putting up a restaurant. He also accused Montano’s well-to-do friends who allegedly compose the Gucci Gang members (Celine one of them, according to Brian) of covering up the deed. Brian had since opened a blog for the purpose of collecting his money back.
Details and other sidelights of this controversy are all over the Internet, and there is no need to glorify it further. Besides, all that Brian wants is that his money be returned, and he will forget everything. And he seems firm on that. If he gets paid, he may just abandon his rebellion against the Gucci Gang, who in turn may now sleep well.
But whether this hullabaloo takes a halt after Brian is eventually paid, preempting more juicy revelations, or continues until he shall have told everything with convincing consistency, the so-called Gucci Gang will surely become a disgraced icon of opulence, as this controversy makes more evident the great divide between the rich and the poor in the Philippines.
Brian’s posts reveal how extravagant and lavish the lifestyle of the Filipino rich, allegedly basking on the temporal pleasure that cocaine, liquor and sex bring to them, while those in the very wide base (and it’s getting wider) of the social triangle had to shed not just sweat and tears but blood as well to put food on their table. The amount of money they spend every day on sin is more than enough to feed the poor in Sinikway, Lapuz here in Iloilo City for a week or two. It’s scandalous and obscene, especially in the Philippines where one of every three Filipinos lives in abject poverty.
Government statistics reveal that 32 percent of the people in 2006 – the year when the latest poverty figures were taken – were below the poverty line. Given the total population of 84 million Filipinos that year, 27 million were poor. Using the 2006 census data, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) says that a family of five living outside of Metro Manila needs P4,177 a month to survive on food alone. To be able to provide for both food and nonfood basic requirements, a family of five needs P 6,274 a month. In Metro Manila, a family with five members needs to earn at least P8,569 monthly in order not to be classified as poor.
What most Filipino families need to survive in a month is just about a gram of cocaine as per Manila street value. Reports have it that cocaine costs about P5,000 to P6,000 per gram in the capital. We can now imagine how much rich kids would squander every time they feast on cocaine. Summing that up in a year, we can be pretty sure that the figure is enough to feed the thousands of empty stomachs in Somalia in one quarter. But that’s just for drugs alone. How about their spending on liquor and on hookers, and their hotel bills, during sex orgies?
Our legal system calls this thoughtless extravagance, or the ostentatious display of wealth – an act made illegal under Article 25 of Republic Act 386, otherwise known as the Civil Code of the Philippines. This law prohibits “thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of acute public want.” President Elpidio Quirino lost his re-election bid in 1953 after he was accused of thoughtless extravagance – that he was using a golden arinola (chamber pot) in Malacañang.
Except for that provision in the Civil Code, there is however no other sumptuary law in the Philippines. In ancient Rome, there was a law that prevented “inordinate expense in banquets and dress.” They even had a “hall of shame” where they listed the names of everyone found guilty of a luxurious mode of living. A sumptuary law is defined as that which was made for the purpose of restraining luxury or extravagance, particularly against inordinate expenditures in the matter of apparel, food, and furniture, among others. Sadly, only the Civil Code speaks of thoughtless extravagance in our country. And its downside: there is a need for someone to petition the court to stop an individual or a group, say the Gucci Gang, from lavishly displaying wealth, with the petitioner shouldering the filing fee and all other expenses from his or her own pocket. Who will do that? Any volunteer?
Aside from the great economic divide that has come more evident with the eruption of the Gucci Gang controversy, there are other great divides.
The next is the law enforcement divide. As claimed by Brian, these rich kids do drugs in hotels with the drug dealers delivering cocaine right at their doors. Often it is asked: Why are our laws lenient on the rich yet harsh on the poor? “Those who have less in life should have more in law,” said the late President Ramon Magsaysay, who must be turning in his grave right now knowing that the police had chose to ignore the felony of the rich but always notices the misdeeds of the poor. A quick scan of past news reports reveal no story about a bunch of rich kids arrested while in a cocaine party. But there are a lot about poor street children sniffing rugby to suppress their hunger and loneliness.
And if there is a great divide in law enforcement, expect the same in the administration of justice. Lady Justice may be blind but she can surely sense the smell of money. Isn’t it that blind people have a keener sense of smell? And it is precisely this keen sense of smell for money of those who are supposed to blindly enforce the law and blindly administer justice that makes people lose hope in our criminal-justice system.
All these bring to mind Plato, who said: “An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.”
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March 20th, 2008 15:28
Wow! This is a good piece of journalism! I’m glad I visited this site. More power!
March 20th, 2008 20:30
This is a very informative and well-written article! The research about the Civil Code is very enlightening. I’m sure not everyone is aware that there exists such an edict in the Philippines. This is a great angle on the Gucci Gang controversy, and it sheds light on why so many are quick to jump the hate train. Their ostentatious display is very sickening, and they seem to flaunt it to the average Juan’s face.
March 20th, 2008 21:47
Very well said! Indeed an eye opener…
Cheers!
March 20th, 2008 21:59
Yeah! I agree Girl…
Come! join the party! Chat @ http://www.friendster.com/guccigang
March 20th, 2008 23:19
Mr. Lujan, you are my idol! This is a very revealing article, and I really find this issue so revolting
March 21st, 2008 00:18
This is very well-written. Imagine how much time reading this article saved many readers, especially Filipinos on researching about the Civil Code, which by the way is very sad that a lot of Filipinos don’t even bother reading or knowing about. People would rather say they hate books and be ignorant about all of it. I’m very glad I came by this site.
March 21st, 2008 01:41
this is by far the most balanced and most educated article i have read about this whole issue. more power to this writer; you should be in the major papers, the populace needs to read more from people like you.
March 21st, 2008 02:34
A well-written article indeed. Please keep it up. This is a new discovery for me.
March 21st, 2008 07:35
Journalism in every sense of the word.
Well thought out, well researched, and well written.
The Philippine Star lifestyle editor should learn a thing or two from this.
Keep it up.
March 21st, 2008 11:23
well said
March 21st, 2008 11:38
THANKS FOR POINTING OUT “THE DRUGS”.A VERY WELL-WRITTEN TOPICS! THIS GUCCI GANG CONTROVERSY IS THE AWAKENING FOR ALL OF US. KEEP IT UP! BRAVO!
March 21st, 2008 18:57
Great job. You should be writing in the The Star instead of those “coke-writers” Ka huluya sila tanan! If only the masses can catch up on the blogs and would know about this, surely they will feel what it means to be poorly treated! All the best.
March 21st, 2008 20:12
the voice of reason amidst the lynching mob out to get the heads of the so- called gucci gang
March 21st, 2008 22:00
Thank you all… Let’s learn lessons from the Gucci Gang phenomenon and use these lessons for the betterment of our fellowmen…
March 21st, 2008 23:19
Sir Nereo, idol ta gid ka ya. if you start a writing clinic, i’ll be the first to enrol. promise…
March 22nd, 2008 02:43
This, by far, is the BEST article written about the whole controversy, with research to boot.
March 22nd, 2008 11:06
seriously, this writer should replace the coke-head writers at the star. or at least get a very yummy bonus or promotion.
loved the article!
March 22nd, 2008 14:24
unfortunately, I know a lot of kids dwelling in luxurious sin, and if you were in my shoes, you’d rather ignore them too than turn them to the police.
March 22nd, 2008 15:17
Good job! I agree with most comments that this is one of the best editorials on the topic I have read. Enlightening and more than just the usual schadenfreude. Thank you for this article. Who is the author?
March 22nd, 2008 17:28
Thank you for such a great piece. This is what I’d call true journalism - well researched and some important facts pointed out as well. I was not even aware of “thoughtless extravagance” law in the Philippines. There are a great many filipinos who would fall in this category - who upholds implementation of this law in the Philippine government.
I just want to let you know that I love your article - and I’m indeed pleased to know someone like you do exist in the Philippines - one true journalist!
March 22nd, 2008 19:19
bonus? cge na nga 1st quarter bonus daw manager, teka meron b non?
March 22nd, 2008 20:44
@sam, the author is mr. nereo lujan, columnist of the guardian in iloilo city
March 22nd, 2008 23:16
Manila presents to the world a land of extreme contrasts - though in this instance, some of the best quality writing by a journalist. I am consistently amazed by the brilliance of some of the writing here - and also some of the venality. Top marks though to whoever wrote the above.
March 23rd, 2008 22:11
great insight!
March 24th, 2008 08:12
Excellent article.
No need to turn to hate people.
Nature takes care of it.
The unhappiness in the opulent person’s heart
far exceeds his/her opulence and richness.
Name just a single extravagantly rich person
from any country or culture that you honestly
believe is truly happy. I can’t.
Nature takes care of it.
May all beings be happy, peaceful and liberated.
March 24th, 2008 11:31
what can we do about the great inequities? should we not demand for an investigation concerning allegation of drug use by the self proclaimed elitist? doesn’t cover ups allow criminals and crooks to roam our society. so what can we do to stop it, my generation is way to deep into this cycle of corruption, i would like to give my children some hope for a better future though
March 24th, 2008 16:00
To Paul Whitman
The writer is from Iloilo City. There are more to the Philippines than just Manila.
March 25th, 2008 00:38
A very astute observation sir. Written concisely, eloquently and most of all, simply accurate. It centered well with my assessment of all of this perversity - these people really live in a plane of reality that is in a larger degree, apart from our own - that Grand Canyon of a Divide that you have written about so well. I liked your quotation from Plato, but let us not wander far off for iotas of brilliance. It was Rizal who said that idle minds and idle hearts creates a space for evil thoughts and evil deeds. Hope to have a wonderful correspondence with you.
March 25th, 2008 11:59
Finally, a well-written, well-crafted, well-researched piece of journalism. What a breath of fresh air.
March 26th, 2008 17:11
what a great post is this.
March 28th, 2008 08:30
[…] about Brian Gorrell and his blog. Of particular interest is following excerpt, which provides a new perspective to Brian’s enemies’ supposedly lavish display of wealth: Our legal system calls this […]
March 29th, 2008 01:44
[…] article over at iloiloviews.com is getting a lot of deserving attention. It provides an interesting perspective on the whole Brian […]
March 30th, 2008 06:02
I am glad I came upon this article and your Iloilo Views site. It injected a sane social and political context into the Gorrell Blog/Gucci Gang hate-filled exchanges. I shall subscribe and recommend it to my compatriots here in Oz. Congratulations
March 30th, 2008 06:59
I like the Nereo Lujan article, and I am pleased to see Amando Doronila listed among your featured contributors, which is why I am subscribing. But after going to your homepage, I noticed that your website allows advertisements of ‘Filipino Brides’. I find that disgraceful and disrespectful to Filipino women. I thought ‘mail order’ bride introduction agencies were banned by Philippine legislation, not least because of the protest and lobbying done by Filipino women activists both in RP and here in Australia (of which I was a part)? I request that Iloilo Views remove this advertisement, and ask other readers of this page to petition the same.
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admin’s reply: Ma’am, the ads in our site are automatically generated by google adsense and iloiloviews.com has no control over it. After your note, we immediately changed the text ads into image ads to block the Filipino Brides ads. Rest assured such ads will no longer appear in our site. Thank you!
March 30th, 2008 19:17
Now this is JOURNALISM! Tell that to Malu Fernandez who belittle the ‘normal’ people’s blogs! Most bloggers write better than them!!
March 31st, 2008 10:29
well written
Thorough analysis. Such a shame we allow such things to happen in our country.
April 2nd, 2008 04:37
Wow. Professional journalism at its best!
I’m from CDO. When I was younger “celebutantes” were of “noble blood” per se, meaning both parents came from good, reputable and well-to-do families. They were all legitimate children ;p and had the grace and decorum of princesses na hindi spoiled.
It was fun growing up admiring them. They were so fancy and knowledgeable in so many things. Kaso nga lang, these women are nearly wiped out dito. I dont mean to sound rude but ever since the “bloodline” got corrupted due to poor choices in marriage partners, “high” society here has changed.
The lucky “peasants” who get to marry noble blood beget children of poorer upbringing. Plus some of the now-bankrupt former “old rich” are always clamoring for their place in society.
The remaining true elites here, of proud family heritage, tend to remain private and modest. They are very simple people who have nothing to prove. They have wealth but they know better than to flaunt it. In short, they are very, very secure.
I wish people would leave Celine alone. Whats done is done. Although mejo nakakainis nga lang how she’d flaunt a family heritage na mejo tagilid on her part.
We Filipinos have other things to concern ourselves with. Besides, empirical data has shown that alleged “rich kids” who are superfluous in everything always, most likely self-destruct ;p
Thanks for the article. Pasensya na nag obiter dictum pa po ako. More power sir!
April 3rd, 2008 08:23
Very impressive, very informative piece of journalism. It truly deserves an attention. Anyone who reads it would be acquainted at least of realm of poverty in our country. Keep up. Mabuhay ang mga Ilonggo!
April 3rd, 2008 17:44
Now it comes to mind, would the Marcoses “pay back” the Filipino nation?
April 3rd, 2008 22:48
Once again, a very well written article. Your works made me subscribe in this site.
April 4th, 2008 11:09
A well deserved publicity for the gucci gang. Now we see the power of blogs and how ABS-CBN masked and distorted the issue to protect the LAWPEZES. lol
In service of the (Lopezes) not filipino people. lol smells like ABS-CBN
April 4th, 2008 16:43
your writing style is fluid and easy to read… keep it up, we hope to see your piece in major dailies…
April 7th, 2008 22:20
Hi Nereo,
Im glad to read a very informative article like this… I dunno if you could remember me but we used to chat a lot before…
Im very proud of you!
keep in touch.
April 8th, 2008 21:28
In Metro Manila, a family with five members needs to earn at least P8,569 monthly in order not to be classified as poor.
very informative, thanks sa sumulat ng article. eat the rich
April 8th, 2008 23:56
good job sir! the force that guides the stars guides you too.
April 9th, 2008 00:34
great piece.
if anything about this gucci controversy (which we will all soon forget given the Filipinos memory)
this piece should remind us of the greater lesson
and we should never forget it
with great power (or money) comes great responsibility
not foolish privilege, foolish pride, and foolish lifestyle
SHAME ON YOU FOR LEADING SUCH SENSELESS AND FUTILE LIVES
April 11th, 2008 03:18
i love this post… this should be given attention! i’ll walk the talk!
April 12th, 2008 23:03
It takes someone to write a post of this kind to awaken the Filipino people that in this country we’re not treated equally in all aspect.
May 5th, 2008 09:23
all are connected. i found this article thru wiki.
i love your post.
May 14th, 2008 20:11
thanks for this post. very informative. i’ve always been on the look on the new posts on this issue, and its cool to find out a fellow ilonggo writing (with sense) regarding this issue. makes me even more proud to be an ilongga! kudos!