In 1983, EDSA was filled with Filipinos who are mourning the death of the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino. 26 years later, the streets are once again filled as people mourn the death of his wife, former President Corazon Aquino. Both the Senator and former President are icons of democracy as both fought to restore the freedom that we lost for 20 years under the Marcos regime.
The mood yesterday here in Makati was weird. Hundreds of eople flocked the streets. Some people mourned while others seem to have forgotten why they were there in the first place. A group of students from some computer college kept screaming whenever anything passes by. Such a mockery to the solemnity of the event. A politician was successful in campaigning for himself as people rushed by his side to have their photos taken with him (HINT: he's running for a coveted position next year and his home base is where our office is)
We waited for two hours, just to witness the passing of the late President's coffin in front of us.
The feeling felt surreal.
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Carlos Celdran's Tweet regarding the Philippines was spot on: "carlosceldran is wondering why someone always has to die in order for The Philippines to galvanize. We're really morbid like that."
And that got me wondering. Are we so desensitized by our country's problems and issues that it took us Aquino's death to realize that we have to wake up and do something about it?
I hope not. I still believe that the democracy that the Aquinos fought for, gave Filipinos a voice, and would include the civil responsibility of being vigilant in protecting our rights as a country.
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In my discussion earlier with office mates, we agreed that Pres. Aquino is probably the most famous contemporary Philippine president post-Marcos era. No she ain't perfect, but at least she isn't as notorious as the last two that were in position.
I wonder, would people fill the streets and mourn the same way if it were PGMA?
Personally, I wouldn't.
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