Her Majesty

 

                                              (image: youtube.com)

Sijay tag-ija nan tanan hasta Rayna baja sija?

Recently, Bae Lourdes Infante, the self-proclaimed woman-leader of the Federal Tribal Government of the Philippines (FTGP) in Surigao City, took to Facebook Live to vocally accuse various politicians, including the President, of being complicit in actions against her group's interests. In her broadcast, she alleged that these officials were undermining the FTGP's claims to ancestral lands and disregarding their rights.

Major corporations such as Meta, Jollibee, and McDonald's were also called out by Infante, urging them to recognize and support her group's claims, as she and her followers assert themselves as the rightful owners of all things. She further proclaimed her ability to command the elements—water, fire, and earth—to align with their cause, declaring themselves the true Engcatadia and Engcantado.

While many dismissed these incoherent social media outbursts with laughter, psychologists are probably reacting with concern, recognizing troubling signs of delusions of grandeur and their potential implications.

Delusions of grandeur are a type of false belief in which individuals perceive themselves as possessing extraordinary abilities, wealth, power, or influence, often disconnected from reality. These delusions are commonly associated with psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and delusional disorder (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022).

Individuals experiencing grandiose delusions may believe they have supernatural powers, a divine mission, or unique relationships with influential figures (Coltheart, Menzies, & Sutton, 2021).

These false beliefs of exceptional power or influence may also arise from personality disorders, social isolation, or cultural influences (Freeman, 2018). In some cases, excessive dopamine activity, often triggered by stimulants or medication, can contribute to grandiose thinking (Weintraub et al., 2006).

Disturbing events once again unfolded on Facebook Live when one of their members, referred to as a "diplomat," was arrested for illegal possession of a deadly weapon. In a fit of rage, Infante erupted into a furious tirade, ominously declaring that a bloodbath would soon engulf Surigao City.

Delusions of grandeur and threats of violence are red flags for deeper psychological issues, such as a psychotic disorder, especially when accompanied by impaired reality testing. These manifestations can pose serious risks not only to the individual experiencing them but also to those around them, as the inability to distinguish between reality and delusion may lead to harmful actions or unpredictable behavior.

Meanwhile, Alexander Lopez of balita.com reported on January 27, 2025: Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders in the Caraga region have condemned the activities of the Federal Tribal Government of the Philippines (FTGP), an organization labeled as illegitimate by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in Caraga (NCIP-13).

But, whether legitimate or not, the alarming rants of this self-proclaimed goddess should be addressed, as her violent outbursts have the potential to deeply impact the emotions and mental well-being of young people who have access to her page. It is important to consider the concept that mental health issues can be contagious, as exposure to such distressing content can escalate feelings of anxiety, fear, or even lead to imitation of harmful behaviors.

(Extro music: Mad World by Tears for Fears)