The Philippine Online Chronicles

A sea of yellow with specks of orange flooded the grounds of the Quirino Grandstand hours ago, as thousands of Filipinos witnessed the opening of a new government that promises to end poverty by ending corruption.

The crowd expressed its desire for change in a booming roar, when President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III emphasized in his inauguration speech that today is the end of a government that is “numb” to the people's clamor for change. (“Ngayon, sa araw na ito – dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ng taumbayan.”)

Marcia Asuncion, 61 years old, felt that it was “not too late” for change to happen, especially at her advanced age.

“Si Noynoy talaga ang inaantay ng mga Pilipino na magdadala ng pagbabago. Malaki talaga ang tiwala ko sa kaniya, at alam kong nais din niya ng pagbabago. (The Filipino people have been waiting for President Aquino to bring forth change. I have a big trust on him and I know he also wants change to happen),” said the retired woman, who described herself as a big supporter of Aquino's parents, former Senator Ninoy and former President Cory.

Jerry, 24 years old and a volunteer for Aquino's campaign team, likewise expressed his delight to the new administration. “The youth have seen the Filipino's love for democracy when President Cory died [last year]. President Noy was the expression of that love,” he said.

From the orange side

Meanwhile, Vice-President Jejomar Cabauatan Binay arrived at the venue aboard a colorful electric-powered jeepney, which, according to close Binay supporters, manifest his environmental consciousness. Binay's supporters—which include Makati City residents, members of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and fraternity men from the Alpha Phi Omega (APO)—sported orange caps.

The supporters of the former Makati mayor then screamed “Binay! Binay!” when emcee Jim Paredes invited the crowd to chant “Noynoy! Noynoy!,” while members of APO cheered on the arrival of the Triskelion Grand Fraternity (Tau Gamma Phi), who supported Aquino. Binay is a prominent member of APO while Aquino's partymate Senator Ralph Recto of the Liberal Party is a member of Tau Gamma Phi.

Creative expressions

The ceromonies were embellished with creative expressions of support for both Aquino and Binay.

A 31-year-old father, Jake, expressed in a creative manner his support for Aquino by decorating the baby cart of his two-year-old son Yosef with Aquino's name in yellow letters. “I would like to have my son with me in witnessing this historic moment,” Jake said.

Street performer Mario Comintan added entertainment by walking on stilts while wearing long yellow pants, as children posed for pictures with him for free. He said that he is “hopeful” for the Aquino administration to deliver its platform.

Two kites were also flown, both of them bearing the name of Aquino, while Rizal-based artists displayed two “Gigantes” (giant effigies) of Aquino and Binay.

The militant Akbayan Party-list—Aquino's ally from the progressive bloc—issued a huge statement during the inauguration by flashing a long streamer bearing the words “WE WON'T MISS YOU, GLORIA!” referring to former president Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo.

However, not all people wearing yellow were expecting much from the incoming administration.

According to government employee Nena, 56, it is hard to guess (“mahirap manghula”) how the Aquino administration will fare. She said that the previous Arroyo administration had “negative” (“hindi maganda”) effects on the lives of government employees, citing low wages and red tape.

Meanwhile, government employee Arnold disclosed in a separate interview that he and his colleagues were “required” to attend the inauguration. Both Nena and Arnold did not specify where they worked. However, both of them said that the inauguration is significant for the country.

Some students from Metro Manila-based universities also revealed that they were “required” to attend the ceremonies while other students said that they voluntarily campaigned for Aquino during the elections.

Street vendors meanwhile said that poverty is a main issue that must be addressed by the Aquino administration. Popcorn vendor Nelson and ice cream vendor Nathaniel said in separate interviews that Aquino must help improve the lives of the poor. Nelson suggested that Aquino must support informal merchants like him while Nathaniel said that the new administration must be “pro-poor” (“maka-mahirap”).

Watch the inauguration here.