EDSA 1 Recollections by a Poppy Flower stuffed inside the barrel of an M-16

What really prompted us to troop to Highway 54 and demand for the resignation of former president Ferdinand Marcos? Was it a call for change? What kind of change?


I was still a teenager when EDSA uno broke out. I was born like a poppy flower stuffed inside the barrel of an M-16 rifle. Like most of us, my family belongs to the lower middle class. I had aunts who graduated with a PHd in UP and an MA abroad. I had uncles who also finished their college degrees despite the relative poverty of our family.


For us, there was nothing irregular with what Marcos did for the country. Fact is, our family benefitted from the previous regime. We were the first ones given a home. My aunt, who was once a principal in a public school, won a government raffle which gave her two houses--one in a tenement and the other, a row house in Antipolo. 


Later I realised that my family in my father's side belongs to the Rivera which is a family directly linked with the Marcos family. However, unlike other so-called relatives, we never used this connexion to gain concessions from the regime.


Anyway, living under a dictatorship was, for me, nothing irregular or fearsome. No one among my relatives was arrested. My uncle, who died in a car accident, was a founder of SDK. He, however, probably made peace with the authorities since I never got any info that he was arrested or jailed. Yet, a few years before his death, I saw him during one or two rallies which I attended. 


Like most of us, there was peace during Macoy's time. Yes, we saw some excesses in several television clips but these were justified as something which the official family did to at least make Filipinos proud of themselves. Imelda's shoes for example, they were plenty, but hey, the former MMDA and first lady had to travel, yes? And travelling requires a lot of shoes.


What I saw when I was growing up were Marcos' orations. The former president spoke with authority and with wit. It was a joy seeing him speak. Fact is, his face is still etched inside my brain. I was wired to listen to him and even emulate him, whenever possible. He made us proud of his speeches.


Yet, those speeches hide the real truth---the deaths of thousands, the poverty of many, the erosion of social values, war, inhumanity and the deprivation of several civil rights. While we eat barely two times a day, several of the dictator's cronies lavish themselves with riches beyond measure and feast themselves to death with imported goods, most of which, caviar.


We, however, were made to believe that every single thing was fine. Rumors circulated that Imelda allowed hundreds to die while the Cultural Center was being built. There was news of a senator killed due to his principles, and several others, dead, when they revolted against the regime.


I was a living witness of several thousands of us, shouting ourselves hoarse when a group of nationalists visited us. I later learned that that one was an election rally. Shouts of "laban" reverberated throughout the dark alleys of our condominium building. 


I was then a high school student when reports of a "revolt" broke out. Several soldiers were reported to have holed themselves inside Camp Crame. The action was reportedly led by Defense secretary Juan Ponce-Enrile, a close Marcos crony and General Fidel V. Ramos, a Ramos relative. They defected to the Cory Aquino side shortly after the 1986 elections, which, according to Enrile, Cory won by a landslide. 


It was my first time to hear of the name "Cory Aquino". Cory was the widow of the late Senator Benigno Noynoy Aquino. I shed a tear when the body of the slain senator was shown on television, slumped at the tarmac, murdered by an assassin. The alleged assassin, Galman, was also shown side by side with the slain nationalist, once accused of being a Communist, but, in truth and in fact, a genuine lover of God and Country.


Cory was convinced by several anti-Marcos forces to fight the ageing dictator in an elections. The ageing dictator agreed. Marcos was seen campaigning and throwing strong speeches against his detractors. Afterwards, he was seen being carried by several bodyguards. 


Rumours of Marcos' illness swept the country. There were rumors that the country was being run not by Ferdie, but by Meldy and a Hollywood actor. Most of the people think that it was time for Macoy to retire or die, but the dictator probably thought he was still "strong" and "needed by the people".


The elections were a sham. And most of the people knew it.


That's why several soldiers, wearing the People's flag in their uniforms, chose to side with the Truth. Three years ago, these soldiers made their views known when they unfurled a streamer during a PMA rites event. That "We Belong" streamer never meant anything to several people, but it was as serious as life to those who founded the RAM, especially young First Lieutenant Diosdado Valeroso. Several thought that the group was just fans of Benatar's famous pop song, but unknown to all, these soldiers were dead serious in their struggle to regain the democracy and freedom for the people.


That "We Belong" transformed itself into "Our Dream shall never die." It was a classic call for change, change that we can dream of. But, what is that change? What is really, the dream of the people?

An Open Letter to Tabako, part 2

Dear Tabako,

I read that you're intending to go to the EDSA Shrine because, like Ed Malay told the media, "you're for the status quo for lack of a better alternative."

So, you believe that Arroyo is the best and only person to lead this country? You believe that given the thousands of intellectuals this country has, the thousands of excellent economists, the thousands of able-bodied and youthful and promising politicians around, you still believe that "there's no better alternative" and " Ramos is still for the status quo"?

So, all this vision of yours--Lakas Tao--is merely for propaganda, for positioning. You, who inspired millions of us to work hard, to work honestly and to work only for the benefit of the country during your administration, are still not convinced that there's no better alternative and its best to stick to Gloria? Despite what Gloria did against Lakas? Despite the political machinations that her allies did, wrecking your rainbow coalition and nearly transforming your once-dominant party into an insignificant shell?

So, there's no better alternative to what? Is there no alternative to a lying, stealing, cursing and killing administration? What is the alternative to this? Are you saying that you favor the cheating, the lying, the kidnapping, the chaos this administration has promoted all these years? Are you saying that we're still okey despite thousands being killed, millions more being violated of their basic rights and millions more being robbed of their hard-earned monies by ravenous and rapacious forces of Arroyo? Is this the vision of Ramos? Is this type of governance your standard, your vision?

I've admired you since you became president. You, Cory and Estrada are just three of the personalities whom I consider legitimate presidents and leaders after Marcos. It was under your administration that we achieved peace and economic stability. It was under your able stewardship that we, the people, felt safe. Yes, you had your share of intrigues. Yes, people accuse you of some graft cases. Yet, people can't deny that you had the vision, you are legit, and you worked hard to stabilize our situation.

I really shudder at the thought that you still tolerate the excesses of this administration. Have you now relegated yourself to that state during Marcos time when you kept your silence and exploded only at the last minute, when all things seemed to be ending? I hope you do that. I hope that you do the right thing sir and preserve your legacy for posterity. I still hold faith that you will.

Cancelling each other Out

The symbolic meaning of Arroyo's pardon is this--it solidified the struggle against both Arroyo and Estrada. This pardon just shows that there's no difference between Arroyo and Estrada; that they all remain the same and belong to the same kind--that of the most despicable kind. It tells a lot about the dynamics of politics and how numbers matter in realpolitik. More importantly, whether the math is imagined or not, the point of every political exercise is to shock and awe the other side so that their defenses cave in. In this case, Estrada emerged triumphant against Arroyo because Estrada managed to shock Arroyo into believing that he still has the numbers to move against Arroyo.

The onus of changing our present state and moving towards a more credible, honest government lies in all of us. Those who were disgusted with what Arroyo did should stand up now and be counted. Those who think that she did the right thing should also stand up. Let's fight it out. Let's just do it. Threatening each other with hell does'nt serve us any better and it only worsens our situation. If its time to fight, we must fight. If its time to be silent, then, find our comfy nook and stay there. We fear civil war. Everybody wants peace. But if peace cannot be attained by peaceful means, then, there is no other way out of this mess but to just fight. Let's fight. Let's just lay it out.

De Venecia was mentioning Singapore as a model for us to follow. Yes, Singapore should be our model. And if that tiny island-state is our model, then, we must be ready to fight it out amongst ourselves. We must be ready for civil war. For Singapore did not attain its first world status without people shedding blood. No. Singapore underwent extreme social strife before it calmed down and before everybody sat down to work it out.

Its quite obvious that we are truly divided. We are divided on the way to solve a problem like Arroyo. Some think that a petition would work. Others believe that a military solution is the way to go. Personally, I believe that the military should really intervene in this and impose a civilian-military government to save the republic from total destruction.

I now dare the soldiers who criticize this administration: it is time to make history.

The Effects of the Big Glorietta Fart

Before it was C4. Now, its methane mixed with diesel. Police says that the Glorietta blast was a big fat fart. Quite funny.

But not as funny if we account for the eleven people dead. Government should take Ayala Land into account. The Ayala People should extend all assistance to the victims.

Who benefitted from all these?

If people think that Arroyo benefitted from all these, they're wrong. Conversely, Arroyo's reputation right now is in its all-high low. Despite what the police are saying, that this blast was probably a chemical explosion, people still blame Arroyo for the mess and wants her to resign.

I always ask taxi drivers what they think about what's happening and based on one-on-one surveys which I conduct everyday, they're all in unison--there's no other way out for Gloria but resignation. The issue of pay-offs or giving gifts to government officials really pissed a lot of people. People that I asked are not laughing nor are they treating these issues lightly. They're really pissed. And when people, especially the masa are pissed, then Gloria should take heed and resign.

With all these issues hounding her, Gloria should reconsider her position of staying on. Doronila is right. If Gloria resigns right now, she'll preserve whatever legacy she has and emerge a patriot. If she persists, then, expect an escalation of this conflict never seen before in the history of this country.

What are the possible scenarios we expect from all these?

1. After tomorrow's Senate probe, expect a revival of street protests and rallies. These protests will escalate to heights never before seen in both EDSA 1 and 2. The situation, based on objective analysis of existing conditions, is tantamount to the 1986 scenario. People are raring to protests now and it is just a matter of time. Groups should serve as the trigger.

People are saying that the military should move for the kill first before the people support them. I think this is feasible under present circumstances. A repeat of EDSA 1 is in order. I concur with this observation.