Rekindles new kind of hope as President Noynoy Aquino promises to address corruption and poverty
by: Rod Cantiveros
After 25 years, the endemic poverty of more than 32 million Filipinos and the systemic corruption in the government have not been addressed by the four successive presidents. Neglect and broken promises characterized the mood of the people. It seemed that after the 4-day bloodless revolution in 1986, the masses’ sacrifices were in vain and only the privileged and their cohorts savoured the fruits of their labour. Their hopes were lost; and they stopped dreaming big. But when the 15th President of the country, President Noynoy Aquino thundered his rallying cry for change in the early morning of Feb. 26th (Friday), at the 25th anniversary of bloodless revolution, thousands of people from all walks of life, among them men and women, young and old who were wearing a symbolic yellow color responded with renewed hope and aspiration for better lives at the EDSA Monument.
Thus, the Spirit of the EDSA I has become a renewed mantra of the people. People started to hope against hope; and they started dreaming big!
I was there when President Noynoy Aquino, a.k.a Pnoy, reassured the Filipino people of his mandate: his war against poverty; against corruption; against inept bureaucracy; against all odds of a better tomorrow; during the 25th Anniversary of People Power which toppled the despotic and corrupt President Ferdinand Marcos.
At six o’clock in the morning of Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, with my camera and notebook in hand, I hopped on my brother in law’s car to bring me to the Araneta Centre-Cubao to catch the 25th EDSA anniversary at the EDSA Monument much earlier. I wanted to be in front of the stage to see the President and guests. And to be with the crowd for intimate personal interviews. The traffic was less congested because the administration proclaimed Feb. 25, Friday,as students’ holiday.
As a result, we were able to navigate through Aurora Blvd. much faster. Announcement from the radio emphasized that the Northbound Edsa would be opened to traffic and the Southbound EDSA would be closed. With much excitement, I decided to take MRT to Ortigas but my excitement turned to disappointment as I tried to squeeze myself in an almost “sardined” crowd inside the MRT. The door reopened thrice to warn that the door was blocked. I can hardly breathe nor move. I had to raise my camera so that I could squeeze into the crowd. After a few excruciating minutes, I found consolation in the knowledge that most of the passengers were going to the EDSA celebration like me.
As a member of the media, I got a sticker for my camera and members of the press were led to the area where newsmedia men were heading to the front. I joined the group without question. People were accommodating; members of the PNP were respectable; and lo and behold, President Noynoy Aquino came with guests from the different groups. People started moving towards the stage but the PNP politely instructed them to give way to the press. Most of us got a better vantage point to photograph the president and other government officials. I could see the face of renewed joy and happiness as they watched the President and the officials on the stage.
When Freddie Aguilar gave a passionate rendition of “Ang Bayan Ko” at the beginning of the program, i could see people in tears. The EDSA spirit is still very much alive in the psyche of the Filipino people.
While I was enjoying the crowd, I met people who had been in EDSA during the peaceful revolution and the people who came to celebrate the 25th anniversary celebration. Some were so young to remember that day of peaceful revolution. Almost every one is excited, happy and hopeful for the changes being made by President PNoy. Some comments i received from my questions about the future of the Philippine under President Noynoy Aquino: Same samples include:
“Ipagpapatuloy ni Pnoy ang sinimulan ni Cory,” a smiling vendor said. “I have a 100% hope for Pnoy to make this country a better place to live; and I am hoping that he will fight against poverty and corruption,” one lady said. “Sir, noong 1986, chicharon vendor pa ako; ngayon, annibersaryo ng EDSA, chicharon vendor pa rin ako, parang walang mangyayari s aming mga mahihirap,” Mang Doming, chicharon vendor, said. And most taxi drivers had these comments when asked about President Pnoy: “Cory’s problem was her advisers na naging mga korupt; ngayon, si Pnoy ay madami ding advisers, dama ko, ganoon din ang mangyayari kay Pnoy,”Robert quick answer to my question. “Iisa naman ang mga nagiging presidente, halos pare-pareho,” George said. “Bibigyan ko siya ng 60%…let us see,” Mang Doming said.
One young lady said: “I have so much hope for President Pnoy.. he will continue what his mother started…and today, .he has started cleaning the government. He has started to clean the AFP.”
Only two former presidents joined the celebration, former President Fidel V. Ramos; and former President Joseph Estrada. Former president, now a representative Gloria Arroyo Macapagal, was not present.
Among the crowds, men and women who were wearing yellow t-shirts had all these slogans printed on it: “Pilipino Ako,Ako ang lakas ng pagbabago”. “Filipino is worth dying for.” “Pinoy is not for sale!” “Pnoy na Pnoy ako.”
“Mahal ka namin, Cory.” “Tuloy and Laban sa Bayan” “Tatak EDSA 25”, “I’m for Peace.”. “Thank you, Cory.” , Salamat, Tita Cory”, “Ako’y Kakaibang Mandaleno (Mandaluyong resident); and “Buhay ang Diwa ng EDSA sa Kalookan.”, to cite a few.
Salubong brought thousands of baranggay members from Navotas, Malabon, Makati, Paranaque, Taquig, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Muntinglupa; nobody from Las Pinas, Cainta, Pasig and Taytay participated.
The evening entertainment program was a success. Various celebrities participated. And President Pnoy said: “Let us be guided by the ray of light that we have once we again fired up with our reforms. There is no more need to face the tanks, there is no need to block bullets and cannons with their bodies just to be listed to by the government.”
Yes, he promised that there will no more EDSA-type of revolution to make government address the needs of the people. And being a part of the 25th EDSA celebration,I could feel as I were present during the 1986 EDSA revolution.
