I 'Juana Change'

Interview by Jayson Edward B. San Juan
Photos by Leluck del Rosario

Vitriolic, witty, irreverent.

These are just some of the characteristics of Juana Change, the hottest one-person act in town. Her acidic wit and humor in her satires shock her audience, driving home the message of "change".

Juana Change is Mae Paner, a multi-awarded stage actor and television commercial film director. A BS Psychology graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, Paner also finished Managing the Arts Program at the Asian Institute of Management, as its Star Performer.

She has directed and sold various products and services, including a few politicians running for office. But as she claims, she’s using Juana Change and her talent to sell the ideas of change and people empowerment through her satires and impersonation.

THE LOBBYiST (TL):  How did you come up with the idea of Juana Change?

Mae Paner (MP):  Actually, I’m part of a group called Convergence Team. We’re a group of professionals, pero marami sa amin ang [but most of us are] artists. What they really want is to come up with multi-media campaign in four phases. We wanted na manggising ng mga tao, tapos kung magising na sila, matututo na ulit silang mangarap [to wake people up, for them to learn how to aspire and dream again], and makilahok which means to participate in the electoral process. And then, ipagtanggol yung tagumpay [to defend our victory]. Those are the four phases.

Of course, our dream was to come out on TV, radio, and print. Ang kaso, meron kaming kakulangan ng budget [But we have a budget shortage]. Sabi nung isa kong friend, “Kung wala pa tayong pera [One of my friends said, “If we don’t have money], why don’t we come out with the virals in the Internet? Anyway it is a powerful medium.” So sabi namin sige [We agreed].

Because I came from the theater; I’m an actress. So sabi nila, “Ikaw na artista. Ikaw na muna, wala tayong pera eh.” Sabi ko, “Sige para iba’t ibang mukha ng Pinoy. Kaya puro ako.” Tapos natuwa naman sila [they said, “You’ll be the actress, since we don’t have money yet.” Then I said, “Sure, so I can present different faces of Filipinos.” They liked the concept]. Then we went to a visioning process, to come up with our own vision and mission for the group, which is to be able to empower and to inform through a multi media campaign. But we restricted it in the realm of governance.

TL: Why Juana Change?

MP:  What we need is change, and then we just played with words. What about “we wanna change?” So I said, “Yup, ‘we wanna change’ pero let’s make it a name like Juana Change. And it was Juana and then the writers said that it can also have a double meaning: either you ‘Juana Change [slang for want to change]’ or ‘wa na change [slang for no more change]’. Parang ni-layer namin yung Juana para may play, so you always have a choice: either you stay or you move. So we said, “Okay ‘yun ah.” That’s how we came up with Juana Change.

TL: You really have a woman in mind as Juana Change’s character?

MP: Kasi nga ako ang mag-aartista [It’s because I’m the actor] (laughs), so sabi namin ‘yun na. But actually if you watch your videos, mayroong mga episodes na lalake ako [there are episodes where I play a man’s role].

TL: Do you think that Filipinos are ready for Juana Change’s brand of humor? Or is it too A-B?

MP: You know, humor is universal, for classes A, B, C, D, E, F, G. I mean everybody like to laugh, kaya sabi namin okay ‘yun [we said that’s good]. Ang maganda pa, we chose satire kasi it spares no one. Then when you are able to laugh and you’re able to poke the Filipino that way, there’s more entertainment value and at the same time, may kaunting sipa [there’s a kick]. So we thought that can be a very good pull and from the effects of Juana Change videos, parang okay nga kasi kumuha na rin tayo sa iba’t ibang protesta [it’s good because it looks like we are doing different kinds of protest actions].

TL:  Political satire, as a device, appeals more to the intellect. Do you think that using this device, you are also able to penetrate the masses?

MP: Actually, we cannot say na nakaka-penetrate na kami ng todo [we haven’t totally penetrated the masses yet]; we just started this December, and February pa lang naman tayo ngayon. But from the hits we get in YouTube, from the coverage we get from media, we become news worthy because were doing Juana. Nag-uumpisa pa lang kami, kaya siguro nga ang naaabot namin yung mga may Internet, yung mga medyo tech-savvy [We’re just starting so maybe we are only reaching those with Internet access and those who are tech-savvy]. Kapag naman kinuha kami ng news o kinumbida kami sa mga talk show o kinumbida kami sa mga eskwela at nagkakaroon ng mga forum, doon naman namin nape-penetrate yung mas gusto pa naming ma-penetrate [Whenever we are covered in news, or invited in talk shows, schools, and forums, we are able to penetrate our target market]. Of course we want to penetrate the masses, more grassroots organizing. But because of our budget limitation, we just had to start virally.

TL: Have you encountered any problem during your performances, i.e. hecklers, etc? How did you handle these kinds of situations?

MP:  Actually there is. I don’t know if you were there during the rally on December 12, the anti charter change rally. I went there as a Congresswoman. If you’ve seen the anti-cha-cha video, I was the one in blue wig. Juana Change ang both ends ng rally: I was the beginning act and I also ended it. In that rally talagang ang daming hecklers kasi talagang sinasabi ko sa kanila, “Ito lang ba kayo? Ang konti niyo! Ito lang pinagmamalaki ninyo? Huwag na, umuwi na lang kayo! Yung mga gusto ng pera, bigyan ko kayo ng tag-five hundred, may kasama pang hamon!” Talagang galit na galit sila [There were so many hecklers in that rally because I kept on telling them, “Is this it? You’re so few. Better if you just go home. Those who need money, I’ll give you five hundred pesos plus a ham.” The crowd was really angry at me]. Talagang parang ang feeling mo talagang tinu-totoo nila. Natawa nga ako [You’ll feel that it’s true for them. I just laughed at it].

TL: Have you received any kind of threat to your life because of your vocal criticisms against the government?

MP: Thank God, wala pa [none yet]! I mean as in hindi pa! Kasi masyado ngang matapang [The script is too strong]. In fact, nung una kong nakita yung mga script, natakot ako. Sabi ko utang na loob, ikakamatay ko naman ‘to [When I first saw the script, I was afraid. I said I’ll get killed for this]. (Laughs) They said that if you’re really telling the truth, the truth is really such so, either gagawin mo ‘yan as is o hindi natin gagawin. Sabi ko, “Ganon? Okay fine!” Pinandigan ko na [either we do it as is or not. I said, “Ok fine!” I stuck to my decision].

TL:  Is that the reason why you accepted this role, or are there any other reasons?

MP: I really wanted to do something. I really wanted to do an initiative for the country, that we feel can really reach to our countrymen. And because that’s our core competence, I mean, because I come from advertising. I’m a TV commercial director. People in the Convergence Team are writers, directors like me, designers, and creatives. Parang ito na tayo, nasa atin na yung creativity [It’s like we have the creativity here]. So might as well.

TL:  Who is Juana change in real life?

MP:  In real life, I’m really an actress from PETA. I’m a TV commercial director, and that’s my main track. Ganoon ako ka-simpleng tao [That’s how simple I am].

TL:  Will Juana Change endorse someone in the 2010 elections?

MP: Can you imagine that? No, kasi mahirap ‘yun [that’s difficult]. I mean, as of this minute, wala ‘yun sa plano. Mayroon pa ngang nagsasabi tatakbo daw si Juana [that’s not part of the plan. There are also intrigues that Juana will run in 2010]. (Laughs)

TL:  You said earlier that the name Juana Change can mean both as (slang) “Want to Change” and “Wa na [No more] Change”. Which one do you think it is? Do you believe that there is hope for our country?

MP: Ako, oo [I still believe there is hope]. In fact, hindi ko ito pag-aabalahan kung wala [I won’t bother to do these things if there is none]. And the more I do it, the more I make people who are like me – yung parang akala mo parang, “Wag na, ganoon rin naman. Walang mangyayari” [the ones who are like, “Don’t bother, it’s just the same thing and nothing will really happen”]. But the nice thing about what I’m doing is that I discover people who are like me. I receive calls from friends saying, “Neng, mabuhay ka! Ang ganda-ganda ng ginagawa mo. Anong maitutulong namin? Sasama kami sa susunod na Juana Change video [You go, girl! You’re doing a great thing. What can we do to help? You can feature us in the next Juana Change video]”.

Kaya yung susunod namin gusto naming MTV [That’s why next time we want to have an MTV]. We want people to be in the bandwagon. I mean if you’re an artist, for example Noel Cabangon wants to join. Leah Navarro said, “Inaantay ko lang na kumbidahin mo ko [I’m just waiting for you to invite me].” I just said, “Wow!” If I will be the mascot for change, that’s ok with me. But what I really want to ‘mainstream’ it. We will sell some DVDs, T-shirts. This ring (shows a chunky ring she’s wearing –Ed.), sa lahat ng Juana Change videos palagi ‘tong andoon [I show this ring in all Juana Change videos]. It really figures. Gusto namin siyang ibenta, tapos gagawa ng mga bagong slogans, gagawa ng mga kanta [We want to sell these. Then we will create new slogans, new songs].

TL: Let’s get back to political satires. This device has waned unlike during the days of Martial Law and right after the removal of the dictator. After that, most of us got became busy with the challenges of living. Do you think Juana Change can ignite the rage among Filipinos?

MP: Naku, we do not want to ignite the range. I mean we just want to ignite critical thinking. For example, I’m a director. I sold shampoo, hamburger, telecoms, and insurance. But now I feel I want to tell nation first, I want to sell love for country because if people will really buy that, then we really have a lot of potential coming in 2010. I mean if through our Juana Change videos, we can influence people na huwag ng bumoto ng trapo, or mabawasan ang mga trapo sa election [don’t vote for the traditional politicians, or have fewer of them in the election]. Kasi sa totoo lang, kaya naman tayo ganito pa rin is because of trapo politics [We’re like this because of traditional politics]. Yet 2010 is there and there is so much possibility because sa totoo lang, maraming mararangal na tao. Sa totoo lang, ang dami kaya nga [There are so many honorable people out there, and] what we’re doing is that we want those people to actually come out. For example, you can give like six years of your life serving the country. Sige na, tumakbo ka na. Kung pwede kang barangay captain or kung pwede ka pang Congressman or Congresswoman or Vice Mayor or Mayor, sige na, please. That’s what we really want: good people should come out and care.

We think parang wala [We think there are none]. That’s not true. There’s a lot of good people, kaya lang natatakot kasi iisipin mo kung gagawin mo. Wala ka namang makinarya. Wala ka naming pera [but they are afraid because they don’t know what to do. They don’t have a machinery and any money]. But if you also think of what happened to (Pampanga Governor) Among Ed, and (Isabela Governor) Grace Padaca, tumalo sila ng mga dynasty. Saan nanggaling ‘yun, diba [they won against dynasties. How did they do it]? So we are very hopeful in the Convergence Team. We know that our efforts will lead to something. That’s why we really want to have people like you who will include us in your online magazine. Yung mga ganyan, malaking bagay [These are big things for us]. Kasi naman, talagang pag napanood mo siya mapapa ‘oo nga no’ [After you see the videos, you’ll find yourself agreeing]. 

When we released our OFW video, may nag-email sa aking isang OFW. Sabi niya, “Sa tingin ko, wala ng pag-asa ang bayan na’to. But when I saw your videos, na-inspire ako [an OFW sent me an email. She said, “I thought that there is no more hope for the Philippines. But when I say your videos, I was inspired].” So no one hears words like that. I mean my work affects people. Huwag tayong mawawalan ng pag-asa, pero hindi pwede na pagkapanood mo ng video ay ok na, maganda na, and then wala na. I mean kailangan talaga na there’s inspiration, then action, and then transformation. Kasi pag naiwan ka lang doon sa una, parang wala lang mangyayari. Inspired ka nga pero wala ka namang gagawin [We should not lose hope. But it doesn’t mean that after you watch the video, it will stop with that. There must be inspiration, then action, then transformation. If you’re just left with inspiration, nothing will happen. You’re inspired, but you’re not doing anything].

TL: Is Juana Change the public apology of the civil society for removing a duly elected president and replacing him with… what we have right now?

MP: Of course not. It’s not a reaction to that. In fact, Juana Change wants you to want to change. It’s really not I who will tell you to ‘Juana’ change. You have to want it for yourself. You actually have to involve yourself in the process.

TL: The concept of Juana Change was created by a group of creatives.

MP: You know (Carlos) Palanca winners, and people who are very good writers, very good directors. We’re in the field of advertising, so we know what we are doing. I mean we’re not run-of-the-mill. We’re professionals in our field and we believe that with our core competence, we can do something. For example, in my case, I directed all of Mar Roxas’s Mr. Palengke ad. I directed Manny Villar’s ad. Pero ngayon ayoko na [But now I’m refusing them]. I really want to think more of the country rather than putting someone who’s a traditional politician. Between now and then I would like to hope that because of what we’re doing, more and more people will come out.

TL: Should we laugh at ourselves more or should we start laying the blame on the older generation?

MP: Blame doesn’t do anything. I mean if you just keep on blaming somebody for your mistakes, then you deserve what you have. I think people should get out of that. People should stop blaming. People should start doing something. People should start doing to level-up. Kinakailangang mag-level-up kasi kung hanggang doon lang tayo, walang mangyayari sa atin [We need to level up because if we just play the blame game, nothing will happen to us]. Start to level-up. Kumbaga, todo na ‘to [This is it]! We can do something. Wag na tayong parang, “Ganoon din naman ‘yan, papalitan mo lang ang mukha, ganon din naman ‘yan [Let’s discard the defeatist attitude that the situation will be the same even if we change the faces in government].” If we keep that kind of attitude, eventually our dreams will become our reality.

TL: Is Juana Change the modern-day Gabriela Silang? Or are Filipinos too jaded that we laugh and yet we continue with what we are so used to?

MP:  That’s not for me to say. Parang ayokong sabihin na [I don’t want to claim that] I am or Juana Change is. We just do what we want to do and then the labels, bahala na sila [people will decide on those labels]. But you know from what we are doing, it seems mayroong ganoong klaseng pangangailangan, yung magkaroon ng bagong mga salita, mga bagong icon, mga bagong pangarap [there’s a need for them, for new words, new icons, new aspirations]. And if Juana change or the Convergence Team can do that, we will.

TL: For Juana Change, who is the modern-day Filipino and Filipina?

MP:  Yung naninindingan at lumalaban sa mali [Those who stand up for something and those who fight the wrongdoings]. Kasi alam mo naman marami sa atin, ang dami-daming tao palaging iniisip lang ay yung personal na interest. Kung doon ka lang maiiwan sa personal na interest, talagang walang mangyayari [Many of us just think of our personal interests. If we remain fixated with our personal interests, nothing will happen].

Karamihan ng mga politiko ang sasabihin nila, “Ako ang the best!” Pero actually, personal lang naman nila ‘yun. Sa totoo lang ang dapat mong isipin yung bayan, kasi kapag yung bayan inisip mo, lalo mong naisip yung sarili mo [Many of our politicians say, “I’m the best!” But actually, they’re thinking only of themselves. You really have to think about your country, because when you think about your country, you will also think about yourself].

Pero, in fact, yung sa Juana Change naramdaman naming na yung mga naiisip mo sa totoo lang hindi mo masabi pero nasasabi ni Juana. Yung kaya mo lang isipin, si Juana sasabihin niya sa iyo in your face. She’s irreverent. She’s really in your face. She’ll tell you the truth. She’ll make you laugh. Sabihin niya, “Tang’na nila, gusto nila kong gawing modern day hero. Kailangan ko lang naman datung. Bigyan nila ako ng trabaho dito at hindi na ko aalis. That’s the truth but to give me mere accolades as a modern day hero, tang’na nila, diba?” Yan ang masasabi ni Juana.

[We in Juana Change feel that people often cannot say what’s on their minds, but Juana can say them. If you can just think about it, Juana will be the one to say it in your face. She will say, “Damn, you want me to be a modern-day hero. All I need is money. Give me work here, and I won’t leave.” That’s what Juana Change will say].

TL: What will we expect from Juana Change in the coming days or month?

MP:  ‘Yun na nga we want to do come up with new slogans. We want to come up with new songs. We will do more videos.

TL: More outspoken and candid?

MP:  Palagi naman siyang prangka [She’s always frank].

TL:  Or more frank than what you are right now?

MP:  Maybe. (Laughs)

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Read Juana Change's blog at http://juanachange.org/.

Watch Juana Change at www.youtube.com/juanachange.

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