Chasing Gavin
Thicker than water
I'm only fourteen years old, and right now, I am completely conscious of what is ensuing in our country. The television set has been straining my eyes for more than twenty-four hours now, filling me in with the live updates on the news. I try to keep myself posted on these matters, even if I have to wear my ears out due to too much contact to the deafening volume of the speakers. My inbox is packed out with messages and articles concerning these matters, that I find it rather difficult to manage my time for watching the television with my sessions in front of the computer, forwarding memos to all those names listed in my address book. I find it relatively exhausting, but I simply cannot contain my exhilaration.
Almost every member of my house has his eyes glued upon the screen (the rest squeezed themselves through the colossal crowd at Edsa), patiently enduring the infuriating, yet strong chants of "ERAP RESIGN!" raucously playing spontaneously in their ears. Unable to join the mass of rallyists at the shrine, those left in my house joined the unison in the panel, declaiming those two words as if they were actually in the scene. But after much head-shaking and forehead-scratching, I simply end up reciting with them as well.
Typical matters like schoolwork, projects, and my brothers' daily know-hows keep my ears open all through dinnertime. But right after this issue mesmerized every Filipino like the how the cell phone obsession did, I shoved every spoonful of my supper while listening to my dad's discourse concerning that subject matter, as my mom, on the other hand, countered to some of my dad's argumentative statements. And because of that, I found it rather tricky to interrupt their discussions, just to be able to excuse myself. My first attempts were pretty difficult to work out, but after a great deal of brooding and pondering, I finally settled on raising my hand instead.
Newspapers and international magazines can be found in all places, and that's practically the usual thing we know. Other than that truth, I've arrived to a conclusion that aside from having the newspapers sold almost everywhere, they happen to have identical matters discussed in their articles. The impeachment trial gave journalists and writers something important to write about, including me. Gee, now I am a believer.
Even school never gave me a break from the usual. In actuality, this matter is even bigger than the newest band in town, or even the most up-to-date gossips that roughly every student talks about. Going to and fro from school, I could hear the same pattern of honking filling the air like what those voices did in Edsa. After all, considering the circumstances, this issue has all its reasons to be the most significant talk of the town.
Our teachers welcomed us with projects like constructing essays and speeches regarding this issue. Even the impromptus speeches to be recited by the students during the English week focused on topics like the religious groups meddling with the business of the politicians were given. Themes conversed in class revolved around this issue, which was rather interesting and yes, intriguing too. During that time, I did learn how to be attentive... deeming the fact that I enjoyed the lectures more than the part we spent for doing the written work.
But now I'm back to school again...gone are the days of white banners printed with red ink, the days of walking to Edsa under the sweltering heat of the sun, and so are the days of chanting the two prominent words of the week: ERAP RESIGN! We are now revisiting reality...it's an undertaking that we must accomplish, no matter how hard it would be, even when we just try to look back and remember.
I've learned a lot from the past events. The intuition that Filipinos are immature and na�ve never crossed my mind again, after witnessing the rally at Edsa, and after finally seeing the true colors of those people who composed that portly mass. I've been taught to give more reverence to them, rather than giving that admiration to those who are not worthy to be in authority at all. I found watching the flow of events at the rally at Edsa more remarkable and momentous than gazing at the seemingly endless battle going on at the senate house daily, as I keep pinching myself just to carry on with my eyes open...to endure the world-weariness and humiliation that I feel whenever I watch them bicker at each other. Sometimes, those disappointing situations make me think that some of those people in the "competent" authority are more likely to be considered as immature and na�ve.
True, the Filipinos have gone through a lot already. But knowing no matter how difficult it was to survive in this conflict stricken country, I was aware of the whole truth that Filipinos wouldn't let injustice carry on with its pace...while leaving its traces. We have attested to the excelling countries that wealth is not essential in putting a nation in a state of unity; but love and concern for each other and for the future that awaits them. I hope that the past event would serve as not only a memory of what has happened, but also an inspiration for the generations ahead.
I'm only fourteen years old, and right now, I'm completely conscious of what's ensuing in our country. The television set will always be straining my eyes everyday, to fill me in with the live updates on the news. I used to take these matters lightly, mulling over the fact that I used to sigh over the infuriating news posted upon the television set. It seemed as though those updates never tackled about anything positive, but I have finally realized that those conflicts must not cause me to feel infuriated then negated afterwards, but they must inspire me to come up with something to lend a hand.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said in her oath that the Filipinos have done it again in the hollow ground of Edsa. I do believe that we will always have the capacity to do it once more.
I will always look back to those faithful days when the Filipinos worked hand-in-hand to drive injustice away, when the Filipinos manifested their true colors to the world, and when finally, we experienced the triumph of good over evil works.
Now I have realized...the Filipinos have proved that they are undeniably blood brothers. By fulfilling their mission, they have proved the fact that blood is purely thicker than water.
