10 questions for Juana Change

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Published December 20, 2008

An unlikely star has been born on the Interwebs this month: Juana Change is a high-energy, pleasantly plump woman, whose hilarious videos on YouTube have generated over 50,000 views in their first week alone. The catch: Juana is an unapologetic social activist, whose clips center on corruption and Charter Change.

In her series, viewable for free at youtube.com/juanachange, Juana — whose name is a play on “wanna change” or “wala nang change” — takes on a variety of characters, representing different sectors of society. As these personas, she is able to say what few others are brave enough to.

Playing a ballroom dancing matrona in one video, Juana complains, “Hay naku, these days, I cannot understand this bayan!” Then, as a power-hungry politician, she taunts, “Ang mga tao ngayon, mga tanga! Ang mga magagaling, nagsipagabroad na! Ang mga matitira dito, yung walang magawang sumasali na lamang sa Wowowee.” (“People today are stupid! The good ones have gone abroad. Those that are left here are the ones who have nothing better to do than join Wowowee.”)

That this approach — tucking brashness beneath layers of humor — is a hit is surprising, especially at at time when the word “apathy” pops up in many conversations about politics. But filmmaker Sockie Fernandez, who directs the Juana Change videos, explains, “I think the videos struck a nerve in a lot of us because Juana articulates how most of us feel about what is happening in society.”

“Filipinos are sensitive. We feel a lot but are uncomfortable about speaking our minds for fear that we may hurt someone… (But now), we have found a voice in Juana,” Sockie continues.

Since Juana Change’s launch last week, she has sparked quite a discussion. Of the more than 500 comments here videos have received, reactions have been generally positive: “Oh, Juana you are so honest! Mga kababayan, gumising na po tayo… Only

Juana Change is played by Mae Paner, a talented actress who has been with PETA since 1983 and has done TV ads and film projects.

(we) can help ourselves!” says lasternm. Meanwhile, pnoiserule writes, “We sorely need some good kickin’ in our increasingly-complacent collective asses… By mouthing what needs to be said, Juana Change is pointing to Juan dela Cruz what needs to be changed. Bravo!”

There are a few nay-sayers, however. Ptk265 warns, “Wow, galing. Pero ingat ka lang kasi baka ipapatay ka ng Congreso.” (“Wow, great. Just be careful because Congress might have you killed.”). And jeralds21, notes, “Ito ay gawa ng mga taong nais gumulo sa kahit papaano eh tahimik na mundo… Magpa-Pasko pa naman.” (“These videos were made by people who want to mess up our quiet world… And to think it’s almost Christmas.”).

To see how she feels about all this, Supreme had a few words with the woman at the center of it all — Juana Change herself. Here, we see person behind the brazen humor — call her a revolutionary or call her a rabble-rouser — she just seems happy for your attention. Here is our conversation with Juana Change.

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by Pepe Diokno