The following is a first-person account of events during the visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo-or GMA- to Ottawa on Jan. 29, 2002. It was written by CUFSA president and Talakayang Bayan radio reporter Aimee Beboso.
At around 3 p.m. at Place de Ville, I saw some Filipinos in fancy office attires and polished shoes, waiting. I talked to some who came from Montreal and asked them what they expected from the president's visit. One of them said he was interested in hearing what she has to say about the situation in the Philippines. All I can remember is his eyes that seemed full of skepticism.
Outside Place de Ville, CUFSA and Pilipinong Migrante Sa Canada gathered with other Filipino groups from Montreal. They were all carrying protest placards. Their numbers, including youths, impressed me. I whipped out my recorder and started asking them why they were there. Again, I was impressed by their knowledge of the issues and their conviction against GMA allowing U.S. troops into the Philippines.
The protesters proceeded to the front of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, where
GMA was to deliver a speech to some members of the Filipino community, and
started their chants. Other members of Pinay, PMSC and CUFSA, stood at each
end of the block and handed out protest statements."Imperyalismo, ibagsak! Pyudalismo, ibagsak! Macapagal-Arroyo, babagsak! U.S. troops out of the Philippines! A people united will never be defeated!"
Screaming my lungs out with the protesters was exhilirating. I was moved and amazed by the unity they displayed.
At around 5 p.m., another CUFSA member and I decided to join the rest of the Filipino community inside the hotel who waited for GMA's arrival. On our way in, we were stopped by police officers who saw us come from the picket line. They scrutinized our invitation cards and allowed us in without incident.
The hall was packed, Media people filled the front part of the hall, and the first five rows were filled with Philippine embassy people. I randomly asked people why they were there and was surprised to learn that all of them didn't have any deeper reason than to see the president and hear what she had to say to the community.
When the president finally arrived, I stood up with the rest of the crowd, but I didn't clap with the others. I was more intent on seeing what she looked like in person.
It took a while for her to get on stage as she shook hands with people and got photographed.
She started her speech by greeting the crowd in various Filipino dialects. Each greeting met with a response of approval and loud clapping. Represent!
She spoke to the crowd with confidence and reassurances. She said the Philippines is in a better state, comparing the country's GDP with other Southeast Asian countries. She then praised the crowd of Filipino immigrants to Canada, saying they were the ones keeping the economy afloat. She called them the "new investors of the Philippines," neatly avoiding the word "remittances."
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