Yellow Fever

Since Pres. Cory Aquino passed away, the people seemed to have been afflicted by the Yellow Fever. Is this an awakening or simply a passing fancy? I'm well aware of how we have very short attention spans. I'm surprised by how many fell by the wayside and have forgotten the true essence of People Power and how we should never forget it. I suppose those only used People Power to achieve their political goals and realized their personal ambitions.

So what have we done in the last two decades? We squandered our gains and allowed those with agendas to bastardize the essence of People Power. As my good friend Leah Navarro said, We are in search of a Camelot, in search of heroes that will fight the battles for us. If Ninoy and Cory were alive today, they'd be frustrated as I am. People Power is not about heroes, it's about empowering ourselves. People Power is about us.

So I see blogs and other social networks bearing yellow ribbons and bloating members reaching in the thousands. But when the time came to show the current dispensation our warm bodies, our numbers, these thousands are nowhere to be found. We have fence sitters watching in the sidelines while others fight the battles. When the smoke clears and the fighters are winning, these fence sitters suddenly appear out of nowhere and claim victory for themselves.

How I wish the this Yellow Fever sweeping our populace is real and true. I wish that those who seems to understand what Ninoy, Cory and those who unselfishly gave up their lives for freedom and democracy really take to heart what these heroes represented. Noynoy Aquino is right, we don't need an Aquino to lead us into battle. We are all heroes. It is all up to us to carry on the legacy of those who went before us. We should stop waiting for someone to come along tp inspire us. Ourselves and our future are enough to inspire us to commit ourselves in the fight for change, freedom and democracy.

Today is Ninoy's death anniversary. Let us not insult his memory with a passing fancy called as Yellow Fever. Let us show the world that we do not have short attention spans. I hope this fever is genuine this time around. There's still time to redeem ourselves. It's funny how death can start sparks and stir a people to its senses. I just hope that this time around, we truly understand the meaning of People Power.

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Rude Awakening Of An Orphaned Nation

Memories of '83 and '86 came flooding back to me as Pres. Corazon Aquino was laid to rest yesterday. The outpouring of support since the news broke out of her passing signaled the awakening of a nation in darkness and confusion. Cory has united the nation once again which also sparked the sleeping interest of a generation clueless of what we experienced more than two decades ago. Cory left a legacy which now inspires those too young to understand.

The reluctant president who stepped up to plate because the country needed a leader will be sorely missed by those whose lives she touched but most especially those who will have to now carry the baton she passed. Maybe now the Filipinos will cherish and protect the liberty Cory helped us regain. Maybe now the apathy will cease and empathy will set in. Maybe now the youth will understand why my generation fought long and hard side by side with Ninoy and Cory. Maybe now. the people will finally use their heads in electing the people we put in office.

Some had tossed Cory aside in the last few years of her life. Some even mocked her and said she had lost her magic touch. The people who came out during her wake and funeral showed that even in death, she is a force to reckon with. As the nation celebrates her life, pretenders will now be wary of an intelligent and vigilant electorate. The current dispensation cannot be too rash nor brazen this time around for fear of ouster. The moral leadership Cory exhibited will be a tough act to follow. No one in the current crop of aspirants comes near to her exploits.

I'm in a state of Zen now. Her death has made me less angry. It has ignited in me a certain spark that patience really works wonders. But of course she also taught us that we should empower ourselves. If we need to get things done, we should do the hard work ourselves. The icon may have gone but the flames remain lit and we should see to it that it stays lit. It's the least we can do to show our gratitude to a martyr and his selfless wife. It's now up to you, the youth who should protect the gains of EDSA 1. Death does have its rewards. For Cory, she is now at peace with her martyred husband while we, the orphaned nation is awakened.

At least now the people know how proud we can be and how powerful we are. Those who have evil thoughts of destroying the democracy we enjoy can no longer go on with their shenanigans with impunity. Now the people are watching and listening. Cory's death is truely a rude awakening on an orphaned nation.

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