Epal Watch: Top 10 Ways on How NOT to be EPAL

Epal Watch: Top 10 Ways on How NOT to be EPAL During Times of Calamity and Disaster

The word “EPAL” on it’s own, is a Filipino slang term that usually refers to someone who is annoying and/or someone who tries too hard to attract attention to themselves.

In the more recent years, the term epal-watch or the Twitter hashtag #epalwatch has been used by netizens to draw attention to Philippine politicians who try too hard to draw attention to themselves, in inappropriate times, or with inappropriate funds.

This epalwatch or anti-epal watch, started with netizens noticing that politicians would often put their face, name and logo on many government-paid public utilities. Meaning, despite a new bridge being paid for by taxes from the people, the politician in charge would affix their picture and name to the bridge to make it seem as if they had donated or paid for this, when actually, it was all paid for by tax money, or the people’s money.

The internet of course was quick to act. Posting photos and using social media to embarrass these despicable acts of epal-ness….. if that’s a word.

More recently though, the epal-ity of politicians has come to a new low as they start to use calamities, like the recent super typhoon Yolanda / Haiyan, for campaigning!

The epal-watch movement was quick to point out shameless politicians who would use relief goods as their campaigning material!

Here are some old and new photos of our epal politicians to help give you a better understanding on what EPAL really means, and why you should never do it… because the EpalWatch netizens are watching you!

Epal Watch: Top 10 Ways on How NOT to be EPAL

10. Don’t put your name on rescue vehicles. The epalwatch people will be quick to put out your fires.

9. Don’t credit yourself for putting stop lights… I doubt you paid for that…. and I doubt that you invented the stoplight! Epal!

8. Don’t put your name in public spaces just for the hell of it! Most likely, it’s the people who paid for these public utilities through taxes. Even if you paid for it yourself, that’s still pretty epal!