The Clamor for Change
The air smells of brave hearts and relentless spirits accompanied with fervid chants coming from different groups of people that wants nothing more than the change that they have been asking for.
Photo by Dianne Mariano/THE FOURTH
Streets being filled with strong and loud footsteps carrying with them numerous colorful banners and flags of their plight and the ideas that they are fighting for.
Declared as a National Day of Protest, September 21, also marks a monumental event in Philippine History- the 1972 declaration of Martial Law in the country by the late former president Ferdinand E. Marcos.
People coming from different places gathered together to voice out their freedom of speech—a right worthy to be exercised. Due to the evolution of humans, the present generation has become vocal enough in doing such.
The presence of technology in the digital age became another way for people to air out their stand. Particularly in social media, this practice has been evident, wherever and whenever. People from different walks of life and of varying ages are clearly stating what they feel without the underlying consequence of being reprimanded in mind.
Sign of the times
Ever since President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte came into power with the tagline of “Change is coming” in June 2016, he has brought forth varying sets of opinions and hatred. Issues are present more than ever.
The president promising to combat crime and drugs in his term, caught the attention of not only the Filipinos but also other people from other parts of the world, with the way the means are done. The tragic events happening in the country has catalyzed uprisings and mass demonstrations.
Events such as the ongoing war against drugs and extrajudicial killings like the case of Kian Delos Santos, the 17-year old student who has been killed by police for supposedly fighting back in a drug raid in Caloocan, and other tragic events of rape, drugs and death are the usual topics of violence heavily seen in the news.
Truly, most, if not all, could not be seen silent and indifferent in these crucial times.
Not a Holiday
Democracy has led the people to be courageous enough to face the issues of the world and because President Duterte declared a day free from work and school, people rushed to the places of protest- Luneta, Plaza Miranda and Mediola.
According to Inquirer.net, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in an announcement, that a memorandum issued from the Office of the Executive Secretary suspended work in government offices both in national and local as classes in all public schools, state colleges and universities.
While the suspension of work in the private sector and in private schools would be left to the discretion of their companies and school heads, stated in the article.
From the statement of President Duterte to the reporters last Monday, from inquirer: “No, September 21 is not a holiday. I have declared it as a day of protest.” Clearly mentioning that no holiday is declared.
Voice of the people
The rallies and demonstrations done by the people mean that they really are hoping for change by airing out their grievances, however, can change really come through that way?
The events transpiring in the country cannot be truly hidden. The system, no matter who seats in power, has not made any larger than life changes. Come to think of it, 45 years have passed and yet the system still continues to fail us.
What good can it do to just stand in the sidelines? People fight and people think, that is why they protest; but more than just displaying effigies to burn, allusions to connect, and bodies to sweat of blood and tears—shouting and fighting for what they believe in, action is what we truly need and deserve.
Maybe it’s time to take some more action than just standing amongst the crowd, because the true problem lies in the bigger picture and the true solution lies within the self.
