Remembering Quirino Grandstand
The masses gathered at the Quirino grandstand must not know the mayor by heart. The people who have gathered there are like me, most of which has never met the mayor face to face. So what is this all about?
This is about believing in somebody. This about hope refusing to die despite everything that has happened as of late. The shameful plunder of our country coffers, the massacre of our soldiers. The cold and heartless comments of those in power to the victims of Yolanda. This is about everything we have ever hoped for as a nation, This is symbolic. This is the cry of the Filipino people and this has taken a life of its own.
The cry of the OFWs who wish that what they sacrificed for their children is not in vain. This is for them who hope that one day they can return to the Philippines and be able to provide financially for their families. For the Philippines to grow economically on a scale that can compete with the other countries who give employment to our kababayans. This is their hope and they may not have been so eloquent about it, this is their silent dream.
The cry of parents who wish that their children can live in peace, free of rapists and drug pushers and criminals in general.This is their silent plea that someone in government would mirror their outrage and respond accordingly when people especially children are mercilessly raped and murdered. This is their silent dream.
The cry of the middle class who suffer the burden of heavy taxes and other white collar injustices on a daily basis. This is the hope that issues be given solutions. Issues such as the absence of basic healthcare for everyone, the absence of an efficient transport system, the lack of educational support. The gathering of people is a testament to the silent outrage that we ALL feel when our government leaders treat us like idiots, when we are fed lies and cover ups in the media. This is the anger THAT I feel when perfectly good roads are destroyed come election time just so it could be said that our politicians are doing something.
The cry of the Filipinos in general when our hard earned money goes to the corrupt few and our silent outrage when we see their cars and their mansions when most of us struggle to put food on the table.
The cry of those who know that the politicians whom we elect are not capable of running government officials but get elected anyway because these politicians are best at what they do: KEEPING THE UNEDUCATED the way they are because they are the easiest to sway.
As a nation, we have been silently pleading to be heard. As a religious nation, we have always waited for a miracle and this is why so many people support a person who said time and again he will not run. For if you felt the same way as the others do, would you not cling to a shred of hope that things will be better? The one chance that you did not grab to change things? and if you felt that someone was capable of doing all these things would you just sit there and let it die? The people will no longer be silent, and if the gathering crowd is proof, then I am not alone in hoping.
We all HOPE for the same things. Our opinions might differ but we all HOPE for something better for our country. We must all stand together in hoping and working to make our country great again. The only way to do that is to take control by making conscious educated decisions and that includes putting the right people in power.
I salute those who are standing for what they believe in. Today, you are all my heroes. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
