1986 and 2022

Then: A Romualdez was the ambassador to the United States.

Now: A Romualdez is the ambassador to the US.

Then: It was dangerous for Kris Aquino to fly to the Philippines.

Now: It is dangerous for Kris Aquino to fly to the US.

Then: TeddyBoy Locsin was calling for the ouster of Marcos.

Now: TeddyBoy Locsin welcomes the return of the Marcoses.

Then: The Philippine Daily Inquirer was the mosquito press with an outsized bite.

Now: The Inquirer has been relegated to a mosquito by social media.

Then: UP students were rallying, calling for honest elections.

Now: UP students are rallying against the results of free elections.

Then: The manangs of PCIJ/Newsbreak/Rappler axis, fresh out of college, some still in school, were fulminating against US imperialism.

Now: The manangs are being sustained by US funders.

Then: Subic was a US naval base.

Now: Subic is back as a US base.

Then: Disillusioned business executives and professionals were planning to migrate.

Now: Disillusioned business executives and professionals are planning to migrate.

Then: The Left was on the wrong side of history.

Now: Left is (still) on the wrong side of history.

Then: The activists were conducting teach-ins to educate the masses.

Now: It's the masa's turn to school the wokes.