The Replacement

In 1983, Sen. Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in what is now the airport named after him. Much grief was felt by the country who lost a person who could have delivered them from the hands of the dictator that is Marcos.

The clamor for change was resounding all over the country. And Filipinos saw that in the form of a widow named Cory Aquino. The death of Ninoy changed the political landscape of the country permanently. People realized their potential to create change in society - People Power 1 of 1986 was instrumental in bringing democracy back the Filipinos. Cory was then dubbed as the Mother of Democracy of the country since.

On August 1, 2009, Pres. Cory Aquino died. Many mourned the passing of Mother of Philippine Democracy. Amidst all the sadness was a man named Noynoy. The Ninoy and Cory's only son. People acknowledged that with the death of Pres. Aquino, Noynoy and Kris were given much political influence. They're children of Ninoy and Cory after all. Then speculations started.

And like the unfolding of classic Filipino drama with all its surprises, twists and turns - Mar Roxas backs off the presidential race in support of Noynoy's bid. This morning, as of this writing, Noynoy announced his intent to run for President for the May 2010 Presidential Elections. And suddenly a lot of Filipinos declare support for the senator.

We replaced Ninoy with Cory, and now are we trying to replace Cory with Noynoy?

But the real question is this: If Noynoy declared his intent to run for President prior to the death of his mother (and I mean no disrespect) would you have voted for him?

Shameful

I've always thought that the political ads that are obviously in preparation for the national elections next year, are just plain disgusting. BF's humongous tarps spreading across the metro and the small ones across the country even if we all know that his jurisdiction stops outside Metro Manila. Mar's padjak TVC. Villar's Akala Mo campaign. So far, it was an even playing field. Until Jamby Madrigal came along. Having announced that she too will run as President, all hell broke loose. And so far, what she did is the most shameful and disgusting campaign move I've seen. Seriously.

Facebook user H Appy Feraren narrated her experience while waiting for the late Pres. Cory Aquino's cortege at the South Super Highway, entitled Shame on you Jamby Madrigal!

Now that we’ve remembered, relived and recreated the spirit of ’86 let’s make sure this yellow ribbon doesn’t get tangled up in other people’s political campaigns.

Subtle electioneering IN A FUNERAL?!?! SHAME ON YOU. Do not ride on Cory’s wave to pursue your vested interest. The people who waited in the streets weren’t there to see you! The revolution doesn’t belong to you, phony politician, it belongs to the people. And what makes you think you could get away with such a dirty trick? Cory’s lasting impression of sincerity, humility and honesty is now the benchmark of what leaders are supposed to be. You think people don’t see through you? The respect we have for Cory is not something you acquire with falsity (or through endorsement from Judy Ann Santos) it is earned. How dare you pose as someone offering sympathy to the Aquino family while you think about the votes you’re going to get come election time.

As I waited for the cortege (news networks’ new favourite word) along the South Super Highway, my mom and I bought 2 yellow umbrellas from this street vendor who was also selling nuts. And then as we paid, he pulled out something from his pocket – a yellow beaded bracelet nicely packed in a small clear plastic bag. Upon handing it over to us, he said: “Eto o, bonus para sa inyo.”Of course my mom and I were pleased and were all “awww how sweet.”Until I actually looked at the bracelet and saw a little tag with the name and photo of Jamby Madrigal.

I called out to him and asked, “O bakit may Jamby Madrigal itong bracelet na ito” and when I looked at the vendor for an answer he had already walked away.

Maybe an hour before this incident, I saw her car passing by the growing sea of people. Window open, flashing the L sign and strangely enough, a cameraman in front filming the people. My mom started shouting “Transparencyyyy!” and then I looked at her asking if I could put up my middle finger and my mom looked at me and said I should just shout transparency, accountability or good governance. In other words “BOOOOOOOO!!!!” And then the two of us just started shouting BOO JAMBY!!!

I am utterly disgusted by you, Ms.Madrigal. And to you other filthy politicians, behave yourselves because we are all watching you, even if you’re supposedly Cory’s “favorite” mayor. Genuine democracy is People Power and everything Ninoy and Cory stood for. It also means that now, whenever there’s a phony claiming he or she is there to protect Cory’s legacy, we will be able to speak up and act with the same fearless fervour we had before.

You know sometimes I wish I could march in the government offices with a magical broom that can sweep away all the dirty politicians we have in this country. A giant clean up, but this time not just for the environment but for our government. Haha, imagine if we could really do that? I'm already writing down the names of the people I'd attack first with my magic walis!

So, before you file for candidacy (a bit too late though in this case) think again. Actually, good luck! The people have remembered.

SHAMEFUL. DISGUSTING. PATHETIC. DESPERATE.

The Traffic that was Worth It

As I've blogged earlier, some friends and I had an awesome roadtrip to Alabang last Wednesday. I texted Minneli that I think we should leave Ortigas really early since we might encounter SLEX traffic due to Pres. Aquino's burial. So we agreed to meet up by 7am at GCF. But we all know what happens if things are planned at such an ungodly hour. :) Regardless, we left GCF at 7:45am. Lo and behold, there was no traffic, so we arrived at Alabang really early. After the whole day rest, we headed for home.

And the traffic that we tried to avoid earlier that day, materialized that very afternoon. It was just really bad. It was moving but on such a turtle speed. Right after the Sucat exit was this:

And this went one til forever. The fence separating the express way and the service road was filled with supporters, by-standers and merely curious people, all waiting to see the arrival of Pres. Aquino's coffin. People even climbed roofs and billboards just to be able to catch a glimpse of the President before she was laid to rest at the Manila Memorial.

All these, to have a last look at the former President who was a vital instrument in restoring democracy for the Filipino people. And despite the traffic, no temper rose, because we all understood that what was going on was historic. What was before us was once in a lifetime. This was traffic that I didn't loathe to experience.

This was a President that the Filipino people loves because of her dedication. This was a President who fought despite threats for her life. This was a President who proved that "the Filipino is worth dying for." This was a President who had the people's interest at top most priority. No, she isn't perfect but she does deserve credit.

And in all honesty I ask, is the current President capable of such things? Would Mikee and Luli feel the same support the Filipino gave Noynoy and Kris, if it were them at the same circumstance.

I highly doubt that.

The first three photos are my shots using RJ's camera except the last photo which he shot. :)

On the former President's Death

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.

---

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.

---

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.

Yellow Ribbons

She is an image of democracy having toppled a 20-year dictatorship.

She fought a dictator, armed with a hand shaped like an L.

She was the first woman President in Asia.

She survived six coup attempts.

She is Corazon Aquino.

And yesterday, she passed away.

The country lost a leader who fought hard to regain freedom lost.

We lost an icon. A public servant. A fighter.

We lost a hero.

Mrs. Aquino became President right after the People Power in EDSA in 1986. And she was regarded as the hope that would bring our torn country back on its feet.

In 2001, our country ousted a President through another People and mistakenly appoints the VP, thinking that she too would bring the country back to its feet. Boy, were we all wrong.

I don't think I can say the same things for PGMA.

That she is an image of democracy, an icon, a public servant and a hero.

I don't think she reflects even the slightest glimpse of all four characteristics.

I think Mrs. Aquino deserves a National Hero status :) well, that's just me.