1986 vs. 2009
Ito ang simula ng pagbabago! @2 years agoI am Filipino. I’m proud to be a Filipino. I’ll be forever proud as a Filipino.
I left Philippines when I was 13 years old and have vague memories about my home country - the culture, the people and Manila itself. I have yet to set my foot back to my homeland and often times, I would wonder what would it feel like to be amongst Filipinos from all walks of life, to hear the language used everywhere.
Like most people here on Tumblr (or any social network for that matter), I was too young to remember the EDSA revolution of ‘86 or Ninoy’s assassination in ‘83. I would imagine that living in those times of turmoil and uncertainty left many people without much hope. Yet, during those dark times, Filipinos were able to be brave enough to stand up and demand change and got it. For once, they were unified as one in fighting tyranny and oppression.
That was in 1986. Not much has changed since.
EDSA Revolution was supposed to be a start of something promising. A new era, a new beginning, a chance to correct the wrong doings in the past and venture forth with prosperity.
However, change is a slow process. Soon, people went back to their old ways and corruption and greed is still the law of the land (and the norm of their everyday existence). It’s as if everything Filipinos fought for (and got) in ‘86 became a wasted effort and the country was back to its old self again.
Fast forward to 2009, Cory’s death has once again ignited a flame within all Filipinos. It’s as if, it remembered what it forgot a long time ago - patriotism for their homeland. It was suddenly back in vogue.The country’s hopes for a better government and a better life was once again on display (and expressed) for every yellow ribbon pinned on collars and for every yellow shirt worn.
Why is it that it took Ninoy’s and Cory’s death for Filipinos to remember their love for their own country?
A lot has changed between 1986 and 2009. Cory’s death has ignited a flame within us to ponder and think about what it is to be a Filipino and the responsibilities that goes along with it.
Only time will tell if this is a start of something, the ability to unite forces and do great things for the country…or it is just something that made Filipinos stop, think and go back to their old ways again.
