Update: This is an old archived post on this site and is only kept online for my own archival purposes. The content and images on this post this might be outdated, incomplete, or no longer relevant in today’s discourse. Please do not sue me if the Internet breaks because you read this and tried to do whatever was on here.
It bothers me that to this day, no significant political change can cure this lingering cancer of corruption in our nation. This malignant and ruptured anomaly continues to worsen our people’s way of life. It has grown to the point where we all have to make a stand and face this problem head on.
I am writing this post in commemoration of the events that transpired back in 1986. Back then, we Filipinos took a stand against a dictator and his generals. This was a time when us Filipinos were suddenly proud to be called Filipino.
Most of the younger generations have different ideas on what really happened on this historic day, myself included, since I was only pre-school then. I am fortunate enough to have had the older people in our family keep us aware and enlightened of the our history and the present political chaos which surrounds us.
The were other “People Power” events from 1986 to present, and here is my take on the following.
People Power I
In my opinion, the first of the two People Power revolutions proved itself to be a vital point in our history as it ushered a long overdue change from a corrupt dictatorship to a revolutionary government which transitioned later into a somewhat better democracy. President Aquino’s new democracy was full of promise, full of hope with an economy rising from the ashes of the previous crony-driven, corrupt economy. Unfortunately, our economy took a downward spiral due to the multiple coup attempts and other events during that time. It is still also a shame that all the lives sacrificed prior to 1986 continue to seek justice to this day.
People Power II
The second one was a failure altogether. It was a failure since our people were not able to select their chosen leader to replace former President Estrada as there was no immediate presidential election right after. Up to this day facts leading to the former President’s ouster and his imprisonment, the expected conviction and eventual pardon are still being mixed up with all the speculation surrounding it. Only when the dust of what is now our chaotic political landscape settles in can there be a factual account of the things that really happened on People Power II.
Now What?
Things are brewing for another regime change. The present political structure and its multi-party system, the pork barrel, and the disease of corruption continues to eat up on our society’s very core.
Now, I am already a head of a family, a father of three and no longer that child who once witnessed a bloodless revolution. I fear for my family as this impending regime change might not be a bloodless one.
At present I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel, at least not just yet. We are now in a very dark political episode in our history. Now is a time for us to finally decide how to handle corruption not only from a political perspective but from a change in the basic way of life of every Filipino. Our very basic way of life has been contaminated with corruption, hopelessness and indifference.
Unless we take a conscious effort to cure our mindset and our way of life, then we will see no end to this dark phase of our history.
16 comments
archondigital
Your article clearly shows the true sentiment of a large number of Filipinos throughout the country which is far from the sentiments of the elite in Metro Manila. I agree with you that EDSA in 1986 was indeed an elitist’s revolution backed by the Roman Catholic Church. For me the same is true with EDSA II which was also orchestrated by the same set of elitists. “People Power” indeed is merely the branding used to describe such bloodless power grabs. Both power grabs failed to usher in significant change. Corruption and its effects are only getting worse by the day. My stand is neither with the administration nor with the opposition. My point of view is based on my being a father to my children and as a proud and loyal Filipino. I see the faults of our present form of government, the political chaos brought about by the multi-party system and everything else around it. Follow archondigital on Twitter
pinaywife
Great insights there.. From a point of view of a mom, I am greatly apprehensive about what is going on in our country. People power does not cure the problem, it’s just convenient for some people to remove what they perceive as evil and forget about the real root of all problems. It’s the system that is so corrupt and no matter how many times we change regimes if that system is not corrected well be in the same circumstance every few years or so. I personally want the president and cohorts to be prosecuted and convicted if guilty. That would be true justice. Removing them and then ushering in same bunch of corrupt officials as new rulers, nothing will change. People power should not have been the end of the fight but should have been the start of reform.. Dirty politics though is so rooted.. just look at senators and congressmen after election they go after hearings instead of doing their mandated work and i believe for more media mileage and therefore advancing their future political careers. Hayy! I just keep praying na lang this country will experience real reforms and changes for the future generation.
archondigital
It makes the entire establishment look like one big PR stunt. Follow archondigital on Twitter
bloggista
We must be very vigilant against people who paint and sow “hopelessness” in our nation. These are the people who once part of the government institutions, but are now saying that there’s no other alternative but to force the current Presidency to vacate the Post. These are the people who have questionable motives – mostly just for the media mileage and exposure. Shouldn’t we be scared at the thought that nobody believe in due process and in our Institutions? i wrote a post about it – in my personal blog ( I am blogging also the http://bloggista.com – hey sorry for putting some url address here). My take is – we should all, as one nation, get rid our country of all the monkeys of our society. we cannot truly achieve progress and true change when everything that we do don’t jive with what our laws and the consitution mandates. We always wanted band-aid, quickfix, superficial and solutions based on personalities – no genuine motives at all. Perhaps, as people who love our Country, we should all rally behind due process and the rule of law – and yeah, PGMA should go! once she’s proven innocent in Courts. Now, who’s working on that? I bet these people prefer the Senate and the Streets – its a circus out there… and they get the media mileage. Follow bloggista on Twitter
Louie
People Power is one of the greatest thing that ever happened to the Philippines. I am a strong believer of the Filipino people and I still believe in the power of the people in our nation. The only thing that concerns me is that most Filipinos do not know what they are fighting for anymore. The country is faced with so many problems that it makes us divided in a way. Some wants to fight for the truth but in the same time is fighting poverty and human rights. It is so hard for a person to decide if he/she is going to fight for what he/she believes in if his family is starving to death.. so that person will fight for the politican who pays more just to survive the day. That makes people power irrevant nowadays. People Power can be bought with a little cash and a lot of promises. I say let the b1tc# stay in power and focus our efforts in educating the people of what really is important for us as a country. OMG i just commented to say what a nice post. Guess i just got a little carried away.
pinaywife
Great insights there.. From a point of view of a mom, I am greatly apprehensive about what is going on in our country. People power does not cure the problem, it’s just convenient for some people to remove what they perceive as evil and forget about the real root of all problems. It’s the system that is so corrupt and no matter how many times we change regimes if that system is not corrected well be in the same circumstance every few years or so. I personally want the president and cohorts to be prosecuted and convicted if guilty. That would be true justice. Removing them and then ushering in same bunch of corrupt officials as new rulers, nothing will change. People power should not have been the end of the fight but should have been the start of reform.. Dirty politics though is so rooted.. just look at senators and congressmen after election they go after hearings instead of doing their mandated work and i believe for more media mileage and therefore advancing their future political careers. Hayy! I just keep praying na lang this country will experience real reforms and changes for the future generation. [Reply]
archondigital
There are always three sides to every conflict and controversy which our nation faces… The administration’s side… The opposition… and the truth Follow archondigital on Twitter
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ciara
That’s the bomb! First time stopping by. Gotta come back
bloggista
We must be very vigilant against people who paint and sow “hopelessness” in our nation. These are the people who once part of the government institutions, but are now saying that there’s no other alternative but to force the current Presidency to vacate the Post. These are the people who have questionable motives - mostly just for the media mileage and exposure. Shouldn’t we be scared at the thought that nobody believe in due process and in our Institutions? i wrote a post about it - in my personal blog ( I am blogging also the http://bloggista.com - hey sorry for putting some url address here). My take is - we should all, as one nation, get rid our country of all the monkeys of our society. we cannot truly achieve progress and true change when everything that we do don’t jive with what our laws and the consitution mandates. We always wanted band-aid, quickfix, superficial and solutions based on personalities - no genuine motives at all. Perhaps, as people who love our Country, we should all rally behind due process and the rule of law - and yeah, PGMA should go! once she’s proven innocent in Courts. Now, who’s working on that? I bet these people prefer the Senate and the Streets - its a circus out there… and they get the media mileage. [Reply]
Louie
People Power is one of the greatest thing that ever happened to the Philippines. I am a strong believer of the Filipino people and I still believe in the power of the people in our nation. The only thing that concerns me is that most Filipinos do not know what they are fighting for anymore. The country is faced with so many problems that it makes us divided in a way. Some wants to fight for the truth but in the same time is fighting poverty and human rights. It is so hard for a person to decide if he/she is going to fight for what he/she believes in if his family is starving to death.. so that person will fight for the politican who pays more just to survive the day. That makes people power irrevant nowadays. People Power can be bought with a little cash and a lot of promises. I say let the b1tc# stay in power and focus our efforts in educating the people of what really is important for us as a country. OMG i just commented to say what a nice post. Guess i just got a little carried away. [Reply]
archondigital
24 pm: There are always three sides to every conflict and controversy which our nation faces… The administration’s side… The opposition… and the truth [Reply]
links for 2008-03-14 « PinoyBlurker @ PinoyBlogoSphere.com
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