He was happy with his life in the Philippines with his friends in Claret School and in the Fairview neighborhood. One ordinary day in Feb 2001, his parents asked him if it would be all right if the family would move to Canada for good. His reply was sort of anticipated resistance, "it's gonna be OK if we go there for a vacation. I don't want to live there". Sensing his depression and obviously not ready yet to the idea, his parents did not press on. So days passed by uneventfully until
May 1, 2001. A couple of days before, avid followers of dethroned President Joseph Estrada attempted to stage EDSA 3 as a counter coup to President Gloria Arroyo who took seized power in EDSA 2 early in January. The Arroyo government tried to show maximum tolerance to the hoi poloi who had gathered at the famous intersection of EDSA and Ortigas. As the impassed reached Labor Day, the restless crowd decided to march towards Legarda with the idea of retaking Malacanang. The media covered the events from the beginning, starting in the wee hours of the morning. As Basil woke up beside his parents who were tuned in to the TV watching the breaking news, he saw footages of rioting and chaos. After an hour of silence, he asked his parents, "When are we leaving for Canada?" That was the signal that he has made up his mind. |
