Real reason for celebration

Twenty-seven years ago today we were dancing in the streets celebrating the end of a rapacious regime that held sway over our country for almost two decades. We were euphoric not only because we successfully staged a bloodless people power revolution to get rid of an oppressive regime that had impoverished our nation for so long, but more because we thought that the newly installed leader at that time, Cory Aquino the widow of the slain Ninoy Aquino who fearlessly fought that regime, would really “revolutionize” our government as to make it a government “of the people, by the people and for the people”. Unfortunately however that much awaited reform has not materialized up to now.

In fact, in the past 27 years, we staged another bloodless people power revolution to oust another corrupt administration last 2001 dubbed as EDSA II. But again instead of having a cleaner government, it became dirtier with more incidents of lying, cheating and stealing leading to another alleged “revolution” through automated voting last 2010 that catapulted into power Cory  Aquino’s son PNoy.

It is sad to note however that halfway through PNoy’s term, there are still no improvements in governance. The claimed changes and improvements are more of media build up than the actual state of the nation. The tide of corruption has not receded. The rich are still getting richer and the poor, poorer despite the alleged growth of our economy. The worst part here is that instead of really solving the problems of corruption which is undoubtedly the cause of poverty in the nation the present administration has even endangered the sanctity of life and family to depopulate our country especially the poorest of the poor which it perceived to be the cause of poverty in the land. This administration has indeed even brought our country into the brink of moral bankruptcy.

Hence, after 27 years people are greatly disillusioned. They find no more cause for joy or any more reason to still celebrate the momentous occasion that brought glory and honor to our country. The present celebration is just an opportunity for the same old grandstanding politicians to hug the limelight and project themselves as “heroes” of that revolution.

Nevertheless as far as our family is concerned, EDSA I will always be memorable. It was in the evening of February 22, 1986 when my wife Josie, our five boys and I, found ourselves weaving in and out of a crowd growing bigger and bigger every minute at the Camp Aguinaldo gate in Santolan Avenue. We were roused out of the safety of our home and into the streets because of an inexplicable feeling deep in our hearts that we should be part of the massive gathering of “human cooperators” to the happening of an event of “supernatural proportions” that would topple a ruthless and corrupt regime without bloodshed.

It was indeed a glorious moment of family togetherness and solidarity in the midst of lurking danger and crippling uncertainty. These are the same feelings that permeated the teeming millions of people from all walks of life who occupied the length and breadth of EDSA until the dictator was forced to leave the country. They are the real heroes of EDSA I who became the human instruments of the unseen Power who orchestrated the events leading to the fall of an oppressive regime.

But such event is most memorable to our family because it was also eve of the birthday of a sweet and gentle but strong lady who is now my companion for life. Josefina is her name which is the female counterpart of my own name explaining why we indeed complete and complement each other in our married life.

Since we got married more than 49 years ago, we have sailed the conjugal ship through calm and stormy seas and manage to reach safely back to shore. Like all marital unions, ours is also pockmarked with rocky episodes yet it has remained solid and still growing stronger. Each day seems to be getting warmer and more romantic especially as we approach the sunset of our lives. Never is there a dull moment between us even if our children are no longer staying with us because she keeps our channels of communication always open thus enabling us to empathize with one another’s feelings and to listen not only to the words coming out of our lips but also to the unspoken messages deep within our hearts. In other words we constantly dialogue rather than discuss and argue with each other.

Thus we also enjoyed our life together with our six children (one girl and five boys) as we helped each other in rearing them into becoming responsible adults and later having families of their own except our only daughter Joyce who embraced religious life and has already been called by God to be with Him in eternal bliss after only 38 years of sojourn on this earth. And as we approach the sunset of our life, we have family gatherings every weekend where Josie enjoys the company of our grandchildren not as baby sitter but as teacher who inculcates in them her talents in music and dancing.

Indeed Josie has assumed a greater role not only in cementing our marital relationship but also in fostering family solidarity. In times of crises and stormy events in our marriage and family life she appears to be stronger and braver because she displays more maturity, decisiveness, courage, and a deeper and unwavering faith in God. She has really proven wrong the oft repeated claim that woman is the weaker sex.

Our partnership has lasted and will definitely last till death do us part because she is my constant companion and steady support in fostering a healthy and strong family life, in promoting an active social life, in having a fruitful professional life and most importantly, in developing a deep and devout spiritual life.

So for our family, there is still reason to celebrate this occasion because we are celebrating life and love.

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