Letting it all out in Cebu

CEBU – It’s not everyday that the music-loving people here get to party till they drop, and in the streets at that. But last June 12, thousands of young Cebuanos let it all out in a grand Independence Day party sponsored by MTV (UHF 41 in Manila) at the Ayala Center.

The free-for-all event saw the city’s young uns venturing out of the safety of their homes into the jampacked open-air venue (thank God it didn’t rain), dancing their cares and angst (if any) away. Even a brightly-lit Fred Flintstone (remember him from your childhood days?) gyrated to the beat of homegrown bands, never mind if his neon green figure was just plastered on a building nearby.

Forget that myth about the blushing provincial lass. Pretty Cebuanas in tube blouses stepped up a makeshift platform and danced like there was no tomorrow with their just-as-uninhibited male friends.

The shouts reached a crescendo when MTV VJ KC Montero took the microphone, descended the stage to join the crowd, and ascended a makeshift flight of stairs to the elevated fountain area.

No, there were no shouts of "I love you, KC!" This crowd was more reserved than their Manila counterparts, but downright game just the same. But the girls made a go of the red, white and blue balloons (colors of the Philippine flag) KC handed them between spiels as if they were some precious commodities not to be ignored.

And why not? Those were no ordinary party balloons. On them were scrawled big, bold messages that shouted the pressing concerns of young Cebuanos today.

Concerns like corruption and other ills weighing them down, putting their independence in shackles. When they let go of the balloons in a collective show of freedom, even the cloudless sky seemed to rejoice along with these idealistic young uns.

It is solid proof that all is not lost with the MTV generation. Beyond all that hyper energy, partying to the max and passion for fashion (the Penshoppe Youth Council shimmied down the catwalk), is a bunch of cool dudes who care.

Even Mother Nature, known for being difficult at times, understood. The rain that was literally threatening to douse cold water on the celebration hours ago, held itself in check, and came down in shy drizzles instead.

No rebellious cloud got in the way of a brilliant fireworks display that lasted a glorious 20 minutes in the night sky. Even the fountain that shot into the air in the midst of the crowd exuded euphoria.

The message was loud and clear: jubilation for a freedom won, not only centuries ago, but here and now, for a generation raring to make the world a better place. You can call the young anything you want: faddish, restless, outlandish. But the good news is, you can never call them indifferent.

MTV, along with us jaded journalists who can no longer relate to the music of these young uns, discovered that for ourselves in the Cebu Independence Day bash. And guess what? We couldn’t help but shout hurray!