Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Tie a yellow ribbon.I work at Times St. West Triangle, Quezon City. Does this address sound familiar? Yes, it's where former Pres. Cory Aquino resided while she was still alive. Our office is three structures away from their house. I find it quite strange that I come and go just as if nothing sensational is happening outside that house. I watched as people alight from vehicles with a yellow ribbon tied on their side mirrors. Parents brought their children with them so they can take pictures with Tita Cory’s house at the background. The kids were the same age as my son, barely five. I wonder what do they understand of these, or if they understand anything at all. I guess the parents want their children to have a souvenir of this historical event.
I wasn't even born during the EDSA Revolution. Honestly, I found it hard to grasp the essence of all these tributes. However, things changed yesterday. Our boss, a patriotic woman that she is, gathered the team, majority was composed of young people, to recount their stories about the Marcos regime and the people's revolution as led by Cory. At that time, they were our age. But they did not have the same youth as we do now. Theirs was not spent in clubs, movie houses, malls, and coffee and computer shops (if there were computer shops already during those times).Theirs was restricted, spent in seclusion. Theirs was spent rallying the streets, fighting for democracy. They said that EDSA wasn't "bloodless" as we, the younger generation, know of it. Many bloods have been shed and sacrificed for the democracy we now have. The same democracy that we take for granted. As a team, we watched the former president's commendable speech at the US Congress. After listening to their stories I realized how God has moved in this country. Philippines, like all countries, is precious to Him. Our parents prayed for freedom and He honored their fervent requests. With this new understanding, I pray that God may instill on me the same love for the country that our parents' generation have, that God may put in my apathetic heart a passion to continue fighting for this freedom. This freedom came with a price, a very costly price.
To Tita Cory, thank you for letting God use you, just as you are, to serve for His mighty purposes for this country. To our parents, thank you for fighting, on our generation's behalf, for freedom.
Cory Aquino's death is not simply a time to wear something yellow and tie yellow ribbons across the metro. To the youth, let us learn from the older generation and take this event as a challenge for us to get out of our comfort zones. Next year is the time of election. Let us pray for a God-fearing and anointed leader to represent the freedom that was passed unto us. Let us also remember that "Faith without deeds is dead" -James 2:26. Have you registered as a voter?
went to the stars @ 1:52 AM
