Our moment of glory

I noticed (from the TV coverage) that the 26th EDSA People Power revolution celebration last Saturday was well attended. And there were more yellow confetti flying compared to last year's celebration. The EDSA spirit still alive.

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“Twenty-six years ago, barely a month after the EDSA People Power revolt, I was one of five Pinoy journalists representing the Philippines in the 2nd Asean Exchange of Journalists Programme. Six Asean countries took part in the programme, each country fielding also five newsmen each.

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“Since the People Power revolt that kind of shook the world was still fresh in the mind of the world community, the Pinoy newsmen in the programme were the "toast" in every Asean city they stayed on for a week.“

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“In every welcoming program in every city the journalists visited, the welcomers would stand up when the Phl delegation of five was introduced and they would flash the "L" fingers sign with the cheer of Mabuhay. In one instance, one member of our group nudged me and whispered: "Nakapatindig ng balahibo." Or something to that effect.

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“In the welcoming party in Bandar Sri Begawan, Brunei, there was a shower of yellow confetti as the Pinoy group arrived at the Sheraton Hotel (then the best hotel they had in town). The same kind of welcome for our group was replicated in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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“In obedience to the dress code, we had to always wear our barong tagalog everytime we do the town we visited. And so local people we met on the streets or shops would invariably tap us on the shoulder and ask: "Filipino?" a yes reply would draw a quick flashing of the "L" or Laban sign, plus "Mabuhay."

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“It was a moment of glory for Pinoys in the Asean region and, from media reports, all over the world.