OUR DAYS
This day...26 February 2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine flag refused to be raised, the microphone went silent and people had to duck to avoid being hit on the head by bricks of paper confetti that fell on the stage with a thud. A series of unfortunate events marred the 22nd celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution Monday at the People Power Monument on EDSA (Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue), Quezon City. The program, which started at 7 a.m., was off to an awkward start after officials led by Vice President Noli de Castro, former President Fidel V. Ramos, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. failed to hoist a brand new Philippine flag to the top of the pole. Also present were Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon Jr., Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and Manila Mayor Afredo Lim. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was conspicuously absent. Two military guards helped the officials pull hard on the rope, but the flag refused to budge, much to De Castro’s chagrin. The national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, played and ended but the flag remained at the base of the pole. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando stepped forward, untied the flag, and transferred it to a smaller pole nearby. The flag was finally and successfully raised, much to everyone’s relief. After the ceremony, Fernando said that glitches were bound to happen. “Despite the slipups, the EDSA spirit was still there,” the MMDA chief said. “Maybe next time, there should be a dress rehearsal. But at least the flag was up.” Text messages
Like the spirit of EDSA, text messages about the glitch
circulated. “Tali sa flagpole nabuhol, di maitaas ang
bandila sa EDSA I celeb. Pati watawat nagpoprotesta kay
Gloria (There was something wrong with the rope. They
couldn’t raise the flag during EDSA I celebration. Even the
Philippine flag is protesting against Gloria).” Ominous? While critics of the Arroyo administration thought Monday’s snafu was ominous, organizers and officials were in a state of denial. “On a positive note, despite what happened, we were able to pull it off,” MMDA Chair Fernando said. “We should have optimism.” The malfunctioning flag, organizers said, should not be seen as an omen for the President and her administration, but merely an unfortunate case of a dirty pulley. Angie Barrera, one of the organizers from the People Power Commission, said the flag was fine during their early morning rehearsal. The pulley might be rusty and the rope could have gotten stuck, she said. Blame it on Murphy Executive Secretary Ermita, for his part, said: “You know Murphy’s Law? Anything that can go wrong, will, and usually at the worst possible moment. Let’s not give a bad meaning to such things... and [instead] give a positive spin to the real benefits of EDSA.” Pastor “Boy” Saycon, head of the Council of People’s Affairs, said: “The flag won’t fly, the sound system [broke down], the anniversary itself seems tired. I hope this is not a bad omen for our government.” Saycon said he was not calling for President Arroyo’s resignation “but the truth should be laid at the foot of the EDSA Shrine and let the people decide.” He called on the President to put under “preventive suspension” all those involved in the scandal-ridden National Broadband Network deal and prove she still has the political will to cleanse her government. Peace rally Staying as far away from the yearly commemoration at EDSA, the President instead visited an elementary school in Caloocan City to promote the Ahon Pamilyang Pilipino program to help the poor. She then proceeded to the Cavite capitol grounds in Trece Martirez for a “peace rally.” According to Ermita, who is also the EDSA People Power Commission chair, Ms Arroyo chose to skip formal rites commemorating EDSA 1 “to be with the people.” “There are different [ways] to celebrate the People Power revolution. Our President thought that this year, she would go to the provinces, be with the people, and let them feel what we gained after EDSA, after democracy was restored,” Ermita told reporters before the flag-raising ceremony at 7:30 a.m. With the luster of EDSA 1 fading in recent years, the 22nd anniversary celebration marking the country’s sterling contribution to democracy in 1986 was a far cry from that moment when Filipinos stood as one people and declared to the world, “Never again!” Relevance of EDSA Reliving that magical moment Monday was a handful of Malacañang officials, top brass from the military and police establishments, supported by thousands of uniformed officers, and a sprinkling of local and national officials, past and present. Led by Esperon and Razon, the chain of command of both the AFP and the PNP staged a “unity walk” from Camp Aguinaldo to the EDSA monument just before the flag-raising ceremony. Conspicuously missing was the sea of nameless Filipinos who had faced tanks and guns on EDSA when it was not yet fashionable to oust a dictator and end tyranny. In an interview, Ermita said the spirit of EDSA was still relevant despite renewed calls for Ms Arroyo to resign over the series of corruption scandals hounding her presidency. “Because of EDSA, everyone can come together, exercise freedom of assembly and the freedom of expression as guaranteed under our Constitution,” he said.
From : www.inquirer.net, 26 February 2008
OUR JOURNEY
Struggle Against Evil
- 2
Evil Returns Pastor 'Boy' Saycon, head of the Council of People’s Affairs, said : “The flag won’t fly, the sound system [broke down], the anniversary itself seems tired. I hope this is not a bad omen for our government...the truth should be laid at the foot of the EDSA Shrine and let the people decide." He called on the President to put under “preventive suspension” all those involved in the scandal-ridden National Broadband Network deal and prove she still has the political will to cleanse her government - www.inquirer.net When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest; and finding none he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came...' Then he goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first (Luke 11: 24-26). The Way of Pilgrimage lesson - "Remembering Whose and Who We Are" - should help us prepare for a continuing warfare against the Evil One. "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved...Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom (Col. 3 : 12, 16).
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"When you stand before a mirror today, remind yourself, 'I am God's chosen one, holy and beloved!' Pilgrimage is a journey deeper and deeper into the heart of God...It is not just about being called but also about being sent."
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02/26/08 |
