People Power

Today we commemorate again the victory of the Filipino people in overthrowing a dictatorship. I wasn’t born then but I heard of the stories. It was a time when freedom was truly suppressed and all that mattered was what the government said and did. When a man in the image of Benigno Aquino Jr. came back to the country after exile to save his fellowmen, he was assassinated. The mastermind in everyone’s mind was the dictator leading the country, but up to today his family denies the crime.

I am proud that our forefathers were able to overcome that period in time. I could only imagine if it had continued up to today, then I wouldn’t be able to write my opinions with all honesty. Many of us would be subject to public scrutiny and social media would not have arrived here. We would be subject to military rule which is totally uncalled for and there would be no freedom to speak of. The resources of the government which the people have pooled in for its progress was looted by the Marcos Family, and this issue remains highly debated until today.

But amidst what is happening today, don’t you think we need another People Power Revolution? It doesn’t have to necessarily mean going to the streets in revolt and riot to remove a government, but a revolution within us to change the system. We are stuck in a cycle that seems to have not improved at all - the corrupt remain as they are, the poor’s living conditions have not yet improved and the economy remains stagnant. We are not at par with the world, let alone our Southeast Asian neighbors. Our country is behind and facing many controversies that cannot be revealed even by the press.

If we truly care for our country then we wouldn’t be content with what we have, but instead fight for a better Philippines. It will be a bloody war as people will try to contest and question your motives, but those with a pure heart will be vindicated in the end. The question now is when will we start to turn all this around? The administration has not proven itself fully yet, and it needs everyone’s support. I guess by now we should be questioning the way we voted in the last election and how we should vote in the future.

As we remember the good days of the People Power Revolution, let us not let the next generation forget the blunders of the past. Never again must we be slaves, never again must we fall into hands of those who want to oppress us. We are a nation of intelligent people.