When googling "Makati Rally", I found these. They're a colorful mix if you ask me. Though, I think I am conceding to the posters that the people are now "rally-weary" and everything. Personally, these things (rallies) are really tiring - though I won't downplay the significance of mass-action gathered last Friday. Maybe it's still the effect of being "tired" after some long months abroad (I could have easily just walked over to Paseo after getting my afternoon snack in the nearby "jollijeeps" in Valero). But pondering right now, I think probably not.
I think I must have been turned confused and jaded over time. Don't mistake this for apathy, but frankly, to whom should I listen now? Indeed mass-action and activism are good things. Sadly, today, IMO, there's no real good context around to follow.
Not long ago, I too have been part of the group of activists in Diliman. But just to share a random story, particularly during Edsa 2, I remember leading my colleagues/classmates to the streets. On the very first few days, I've seen it as a hindrance since I hate the traffic. Segue, that time I was taking "Figure Skating" for my PE class in the nearby MegaMall (which honestly, I thought would be "Hockey" until I realized it's too late to get out - too late to get out from getting involuntarily the sissy lead role for a "Pocahontas" recital.
) Then the day came. Everyone seems to have this voice inside them calling them to participate in "history". A huge mass-action event is being called everywhere within the UP campus. Everywhere, students gathered en masse (I went to AS hall). Then the day of reckoning came. That day, I called for a meeting for the guys to go with me. We prepared everything and have just decided to go in the afternoon carrying Einsten with us (you'll soon find out). We walked for a good distance to Quezon Ave's MRT station. When MRT authorities did not allow us to ride the train with our placard bearing Einstein's face (with a balloon caption: "Erap ang bobo mo!"), we walked the long way until reaching Ortigas. It was a long walk but I remember to have liked it (considering, just a week has passed after my fraternity's initiation rites). Surprisingly, when we looked back, it seems that we have gathered a crowd from Cubao! Could be the placard
or just mere coincidence, but I have a serious inkling that the people in this crowd are really more sincere than Einstein would as they rally behind us. It's a real morale-boosting scene for us actually. We reached Ortigas, paraded round its plaza, when one of my classmates begins to chant loudly: "Sabi ng Man of the Year, Erap and bobo mo!". That was a blast then, as the crowd behind us began to follow suit. It was equally a blast, when me and my bud just went up to the top of Edsa shrine waving Einsten's face and chanting, "Erap resign now", with the nearby crowd on top responds, "woof, woof" (he he, it's a catchy tune really from "Who let the dogs out", call it corny if you like, but it sticked ).Parading around, I remembered Noynoy Aquino was there, when he called me and my bud to ask about the placard. I've witnessed how the crowd hollered and booed the teary-eyed Bong Revilla (natabla siya ng sobra). I saw first hand how some guy just slapped Jaworski's head from the back when he stepped out from the nearby Corinthian Gardens. I saw how my bud calling Jim Paredes' name, when actually it was Danny Javier's
. Anyway, time has passed from the "excitement" of those days. Years went by and idealistic streaks have been checked by reality. As I begin personally toiling and carving my own niche in my job, a new string of events unfold - right smacked nearby our office. And nothing my eyes can see, turned me on anymore, as the causes became confusing and irritatingly divided. I see too many opportunists more than ever - all crying wolf for different reasons and rationale. Honestly, I really like "fighting" for a "cause". If only I can see the real ones from these buffet of "doubtful" but sometimes sugarcoated stuff being offered around.
If there's any consolation, being been to the remote places on Earth (you'll know it when you're already receiving "hazard pay"), our country is still better off. Of course, this is not an excuse to remain mediocre in our own country when our professionals abroad are being hailed as one of the world's best. But sadly, the reality back home, paints a picture where indeed everyone, IMO, are confused.
Anyway, I think I won't spend more writing about my own twisted view of the current events
; and without further ado, here's the small list I mentioned from above. Though, the "sentiments" listed below, I admittedly have been chosen with bias. http://james-cartmire.livejournal.com/ (See entry: [Mar. 1st, 2008|04:04 pm])
http://galit2007.wordpress.com/ (See entry: March 1, 2008)
http://www.gov.ph/FORUM/thread.asp?rootID=56648&catID=11
This is a rather long debate... but how I applaud how these guys expressed themselves...
http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1674
This is relatively old, but actually seemed to put a smile to my face of someone candidly describing his experience...
http://jeckyll27.wordpress.com/2007/12/01/...king-in-makati/
Very old... but seem still relevant...
http://cubclub.gnuthings.com/forum/viewtop...d717930c81bbf46
http://dcph.info/v2008/index.php?showtopic...mp;#entry411738
http://onetwentyhours.livejournal.com/19089.html
http://gorgonyo.blogs.friendster.com/my_bl...n_agendas_.html
http://caffeinesparks.blogspot.com/2006_02_01_archive.html
