"I thirst."

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Fire has once again engulfed the poor's residential houses in Baranggay Damayan, Quezon City. I was listening to the radio feed as I coursed the traffic-ridden E. Rodriquez Avenue, on my way to the hospital. Reporters were airing the sorry plight of the poor scattered, many still salvaging whatever stuff they could, and the rest,in shock and resignation There was little water to put out the fire. The water crisis, more of a hoax than reality, has been the Metro Manila's crucible this past month. As it is the season of Lent, I reflected on one of the Seven Last Words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hanged on the cross, He said. "I thirst." And He was given gall and vinegar to drink. Prior to this present horrible administration, the Philippines has been under two dictatorships in the past half century. The first one was toppled by a bloodless revolution, the second one ended with an election. For almost three years now, the people are subjected to profanity and killing, the life of the people literally transformed to a Calvary Walk. Sporadic rallies were held, people gathered to fight for their rights. Voices screamed and cried, later silenced by soldiers, the centurion, the tribune. My own voice became quiet, I realized my constitution now couldn't endure the tyranny any longer, and I switched to a "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" mode. Yesterday, amidst the sirens of the ambulances and the fire engines, I heard "I thirst." This time of persecution, who's not willing to receive the flagellation? I am willing, take me. Might even make a martyr out of me.