What would andres bonifacio say?
By tryxiness
@tryxiness (4544)
Philippines
November 30, 2007 3:01am CST
Yesterday, there was a coup attempt. Sen. Trillanes and General Lim walked out of the trial court and proceeded to a posh hotel in makati. There, they invited everyone to join in their protest against the presidency. But the drama was shortlived. It did not awaken everyone.
Then, I recalled in 2005, when Philippine President Arroyo said "I AM SORRY" regarding the cheating issue in 2004 election. Yes, there were lots of protests (esp. along Ayala Avenue in Makati). But not all of us went to the protest.
The thing about the I am sorry in 2005 bothered me upto now, because, it would mean, that 20 years from now, the people who will be leading might all be corrupt. 20 years from now, the values that will be instilled might include cheating in the list. That 20 years from now, cheating is not a sin. Everyone is forgiven because s/he said sorry for the cheating she committed regardless the sorry was for the cheating or something vague (she never explained).
In 2006, there was a nursing exam cheating. Could this be a manifestation that cheating is condoned in this country, a year after?
I do not want to sound paranoid, but I wonder, where is the country now? She still is the president, and in a way cheating has been tolerated. The president claims that she is doing something for the upliftment of the poor, but IS SHE really DOING it? Or does she just free ride on some initiatives coming from the civil society.
Our Katipunero, Andres Bonifacio would have said something... what could it be? I bet he would be a bit disappointed with us. In a way, everyone in the political arena seems so after the power. Everyone wants to be the president. Everyone is campaigning there bets to think 2010 election is like less than 30 months to go and yet everyone is preparing for it. They are preparing not to serve the country, but perhaps, to extract whatever resources we have into their pockets... could it really be serving the people?
I am just a bit emotional with this... because, I was part of EDSA 2, and I never wanted GMA to sit. But because of such action, everything has fallen.
2 people like this
5 responses
@wisedragon (2325)
• Philippines
30 Nov 07
Nice to hear from a fellow EDSA2 hero. I was there too, but I had no idea GMA would be such a terrible president.
I don't know what Bonifacio would say about the Peninsula incident, but here's how I feel about it:
I wanted to support Trillanes because I am convinced that GMA has committed too many illegal acts. I wanted to go to Peninsula. I was wondering why the masses and the middle class were not gathering there.
Now I think I have a better idea why. To many Filipinos Trillanes seems too aggressive and arrogant, pretty much like Gringo Honasan. If people supported his revolt, that would give him the right to head the resulting "caretaker government". And maybe people don't want that. People elected him senator, not president. They believe in what he is fighting for, but they're not ready to accept him as president. Maybe that's the reason why people did not mass at Peninsula to support him.
But GMA should not celebrate. The failure of yesterday's revolt is no indication that Filipinos love her or support her. The results of the latest senatorial elections clearly shows that people hate her. She's going down as one of the most hated presidents in our nation's history.
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
1 Dec 07
This is so true. GMA should not celebrate. Unrest is already there. I think the people is just waiting for that moment. I really don't know when the particular moment would come. I know in a way People Power might not be included in the option. By the way during the summer election, I have to say that people are beginning to express their dismay through voting. I mean, the turn out of opposition senators in the election was something. :P
@bong_domingo (878)
• Philippines
1 Dec 07
well aside from being disappointed, he might regret what he did for this country.... parang nauwi sa wala
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
1 Dec 07
I know. I wondered if my feeling of patriotism during the EDSA 2 was something should I be proud of or something that I should I regret of doing. The thing is, during that EDSA 2 moment the feeling was different. It was as if I knew I was doing something for the country but then... what is happening now seems to consume the feeling of euphoria in EDSA 2. :(
@bong_domingo (878)
• Philippines
3 Dec 07
i wasn't there during EDSA 2, but i was always on guard on what's happening and was always praying for that... there was some kind of energy of wanting to participate in what's happening in EDSA....
And now this... don't you just hate it when what you believe you stood up and fought for just simply slowly go to waste because of some politicians who are so consumed with their principles (or so you thought it was for the country) to stage up a fight and not finish it... if i were Trillanes i'd rather be shot in the head and die with dignity (no matter how slight that dignity is)
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
7 Dec 07
this is so true. i mean people now is comparing him to honasan. :)
@rsa101 (37952)
• Philippines
30 Nov 07
Yes I would say Trillanes was really trying to emulate Bonifacio at some point but then Bonifacio would not stage his protest in a posh hotel which looks a little bit elitist in my own opinion. I would imagine that Bonifacio would rather stay with the masses because that is where he likes to gather his strength then those that are in a very posh hotel how convenient it is for them to stage it here. Airconditioned rooms and lots of goodies and foods in there hmmm yummy!
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
1 Dec 07
Hahaha. It seems that everything has turned upside down. Actually, it's a battle between the generals and the soldiers coming from the lower ranks already. It seems weird, but I also think big businessmen are so behind the seige. I mean, why would one choose a posh hotel as a hide-out. There's a pattern already with the poshiness of the seiges. :)
1 person likes this
@tombiz (2036)
• Philippines
30 Nov 07
Well, personally I do not in any way support any extra-constitutional way of removing a sitting president. Though the administration of GMA terribly failed to live up to the expectations of the majority of our people, giving the military the upper hand in changing our society will only throw the country back into a direction untravelled upon and the consequences might be fatal we could not handle yet.
What would Bonifacio say? I think he will exhort us all to be more nationalistic and to treasure the kind of freedom we already have and to always be vigilant and picky in choosing our leaders. On living up to the ideals set by our own heroes, we, as the people, miserably failed.
As to whether he will support the actions of Trillanes et al, that is something to think about deeply.
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
1 Dec 07
It is just disheartening to know that we all are aware that we failed in reaching the standard of how a leader should be. I mean, other Asian countries envied us because of EDSA People Power... but with the rate now, tne 2nd EDSA seemed to be a mockery of the first people power (or maybe this is just my perception).
With the case of Trillanes, I really am not sure. I mean, his ideals are ok. It's just that, I do not know when the right time again for me to feel his cause. I mean, I am so sad and disappointed of myself, because I expect more from me knowing that GMA seems to be quite abusive of his power. :(
@antoinette7777 (162)
• Philippines
2 Dec 07
i think filipino people is already sick and tired of coup d'etat and the likes. aren't you too? i don't want anotehr edsa 3 or 4 or 5! my gosh will we be always like this? complaining for our elected president? all our elected presidents are always accused of graft and corruption. i am not pro gloria anyway. the heck! lets pray for our country!
http://r.yuwie.com/antoinette7777 - like myspace but it pays you.
