Virtual Center

Barachita, Vanya Danyella V.
11-Darwin
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
“The Imperfect ‘Perfect’ Society: An Analysis of ‘Virtual Center’
The Philippines is rich in terms of natural and human resources. However, the country
has been suffering from social and economic inequalities with more than a quarter of the
population living below the poverty line. No significant action has been taken by the
government, thus making the gap wider between the rich and the poor. Raissa Rivera depicts
these problems in her short story, “Virtual Center.” Set in a futuristic and dystopian society,
Delia and Art struggle to live freely as class division and abuse of power prevent them from
experiencing true freedom.
In the beginning of the story, the narrator describes the current system of government as
foolproof. “And the government’s computers, their father told him, had records of every person
in the country, which had to be updated every year if they wanted to have access to their money”
(Rivera 64). Here, it is shown that the government’s foolproof system is a sign of control towards
their citizens. No matter how one tries to deceive them, they will always find a way to protect the
“perfect” image they have been keeping. Since money is important to sustain one’s life, being
given the access to it in exchange of their data is used to track them, so that anyone who goes
against the authorities will be easily traced. This is shown in the incident of Reggie, Delia’s first
love. When he wanted to start a new society away from the government, his body was found
dead a few weeks after his escape. Nick knew that he was attacked by the robotic patrol
helicopters, but Delia refused to believe it because “one man alone seeking freedom wasn’t a
threat to society” (Rivera 65). Reggie, here, is viewed as a threat to society. Unlike others, he
knew that there is something suspicious about the change in their way of living. By starting a
new society, he challenges and goes against the system. He had to be killed to protect their true
intentions and to continue gaining the support of the mass. Moreover, the difference between
Nick’s and Delia’s responses show how authorities have been doing their best to control their
citizens not just in their way of living but also in their way of thinking. Those who criticize the
government become an enemy, and those who stay quiet become an acquaintance of theirs.
As the story progresses, it is seen that most are okay with the life that they have without
knowing how anti-poor the authorities are. An important building is mentioned by Delia. The
Center, as they call it, is a place where the upper class get to live the life they want virtually,
while the working class take care of them. They also have a rule that terminates the caretaker’s
income if the body they’re taking care of dies because they believe that “they could not die if
they were cared for properly” (Rivera 65). This type of setup favored the rich and not the poor.
The government made sure that only those who have money can live the life being offered in the
Center. If it were accessible by the mass, everyone would want to live that way, and no one will
take care of the people. Also, the income of the working class depends on the satisfactions
received by the rich. This capitalist system represents how the lives of the poor are on the palms
of the wealthy. What’s shocking is the ability of the government to brainwash them by thinking
that what’s happening is completely okay despite favoring the rich and not the poor. Nick tells
Delia, “… we are taught by our middle-class teachers who have been bribed by the promise of an
eternal virtual life after retirement that the system is perfect” (Rivera 69). The government uses
cunning tactics to convince not only the present generation but also the future generation into
believing that everything is perfect. Everyone would want to live the virtual life in the Center
that’s why by using and bribing teachers, who play a big role and give a big impact in shaping
the views of children, their Machiavellian schemes wouldn’t be questioned.
When Art is unstrapped from his bed because of Nick’s resistance to the government, he
wakes up from his virtual life and gets shocked by the type of “freedom” promised to him for the
past 12 years. He asks Delia to escape with him, so that they can start a new life. She agrees, and
they live wonderfully together. The moment Art woke up from the virtual life he has been living
allowed him to be exposed to how the government has been using him as part of their agenda of
having a “perfect” society. The aftermath of their escape shows how they have been prevented
from experiencing life fully. Only after living away from the city did they find what they have
been looking for all of their lives. The system that has been enslaving them proved to have
hindered them from being pushed outside of their comfort zone and developing as normal
individuals who have dreams and ambitions to reach. However, Delia feels guilty of staying with
Art because of the thought that “she was somehow cheating the child of a better life” (Rivera
74). This displays the negative effect of the continuous controlling and brainwashing done by the
government. Despite breaking free, her seemingly more comfortable life back in the city makes
her think of going back. It just means that the authorities have done well in persuading majority
of its citizens that life beyond their control is a life full of dullness.
The lives of Delia and Art display how the government chooses to benefit the rich in
pursuit of power. The freedom the authorities promise their people is their way of controlling not
just the lives of those who live virtually but also their caretakers. By following the two
characters, it is seen how Rivera uses them to show the effects of the greed of the officials.
Indeed, nothing good comes out of selfish desires.
Works Cited
Rivera, R. “Virtual Center.” From 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World, by
Marikit Tara Uychoco, 1st ed., Rex Book Store, Inc., 2016, pp. 63-74.

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Barachita, Vanya Danyella V.

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

“The Imperfect ‘Perfect’ Society: An Analysis of ‘Virtual Center’

experiencing true freedom.

the views of children, their Machiavellian schemes wouldn’t be questioned.

Indeed, nothing good comes out of selfish desires.

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