The Philippine Online Chronicles

Pardon my French but… Crap, has it been 25 years already? Has it really been that long since Juan de la Cruz finally said good riddance to Da Apo, the shoe lady and their entire family and entourage, as they fled to sunny Hawaii courtesy of the US Air Force?

Everything about that historic event remains crystal clear to me to this day, from that fateful Saturday night when it all began, to the next three tense days that followed and the euphoria that greeted the nation upon learning of the couple’s hasty flight for their lives. It was, to borrow a quote from Sir Winston Churchill, our finest hour.

I was at my usual hangout that night. Tipsy and light-headed after downing not a few bottles of San Miguel,and unmindful of what was happening outside, I was happily singing along with the host inside a Sing-along bar (the term “Karaoke” wasn’t in vogue yet) when the owner, who is a personal friend, whispered to me about the looming standoff at Camp Aguinaldo and advised me to head home… pronto.

Damn, I thought. What a way to end a Saturday night.

On my way home I kept thinking and wondering whether this was it. For years after Ninoy’s assassination, the country has been hemorrhaging and many, including me, believed it would only be a matter of time before this country collapses on itself. The unfolding even that night only served to strengthen that assumption.

And yet, a miracle happened. Okay, it may not be a miracle but it was close to one. Nobody, not even the principal characters of the political drama that was slowly unfolding knew what was going to happen in the next hour, let alone the next few days. Even after all that defection and vow of support by some elements of the military to the side of the just, people were still jittery about the situation. Anything can still happen and everyone was on the edge, and wondering what the future will hold for this country.

It was only when news of the former dictator’s unceremonious flight from Malacanang began circulating --- first on the radio, and then on television (I can still recall that scene where Bong Lapira was wiping the tears off his eyes) --- that Pinoys all over the country (except perhaps, those in the “Solid Marcos” North) began to heave a sigh of relief --- a relief that was, for many of the victims of forced disappearance or “desaparecidos,” 14 years too late unfortunately.

And then, finally, we were all free -- much to the relief and amazement of the rest of the world. The Filipinos were able to achieve something that was never before attempted anywhere else --- successfully toppling a well-entrenched dictator in a bloodless revolution. Soon enough, this incredible feat (aptly dubbed as the People Power revolution) was to be repeated in many parts of the world, particularly in Poland and East Timor.

Note: In spite of their claims, it wasn’t Enrile or Honasan or any two-bit military rebel who turned the tide against Marcos, it was the people who heeded the call that saved the day… as well the butts of these false claimants.

For the first time in as many years, Filipinos were able to hold their heads up high again. Not anymore was this country going to be tagged as the “Sick Man of Asia.” It was a great time to be a Filipino. At 25 years old, I was then full of hopes and dreams for this country.

Alas, fairy tales and dreams don’t seem to last for Juan de la Cruz.

Fast forward 25 years and we’re still going nowhere. Five presidents, half a dozen coup attempts and three people power revolt (the last of which fizzled out) later; we remain mired in a pit that, by all accounts, continues to deepen. Corruption, the very centerpiece of the Marcos dictatorship, is still very much alive, from the grassroots level all the way to inner sanctum of power. And no thanks to an ex-rebel-turned-senator, we are still burdened with a restive military itching for a slice of the pie. Worst of all, the heirs-apparent of the former dictator are now back,  strong as ever and poised to make a political comeback.

All that, and many more, have inevitably led many (among them, a well-known anti-Marcos critic during the Martial Law years) to think that, maybe, a bloodless coup wasn’t such a good idea after all. Not a few people I talked to believe that, perhaps, we should have “knocked a few heads off” or “line a few people against the wall” to send a chilling, but otherwise effective message.

Okay, I know that’s taking things to the extreme but, what if… hmm.

In a speech in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 7, 1966, Robert F. Kennedy quoted a purportedly old Chinese curse that says, “May you live in interesting times” which, in case you’re wondering, means, may you experience much upheaval and trouble in your life, the clear implication being that 'uninteresting times' of peace and tranquility are more life-enhancing. Well, he could easily have been referring to this country because like it or not, we are living in a pretty interesting time, and the fact that this country continues to be cursed with stupid/corrupt politicians, petty tyrants, and equally stupid voters, we are all going on a wild ride for years to come.

Photo: “edsa shrine” by joal perocillo, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved

Photo: “Cory! Cory! Cory!” by Rolly Barayang Jr., c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved