I was supposed to publish this last Tuesday, but I didn't find time to finish it. Until now:
Yesterday was one of my most harassing birthdays of recall. First up, there was that standoff at Fort Bonifacio the previous night. I was glued to the news and found myself caring about the country's situation after a long time of apathy. Will & Grace was actually cut in mid-scene to allow a live news feed from ANC to come in (and when the regular programming came back, biglang F na!). I was quickly brought up to speed about the goings on, and the principal players (Miranda, Allaga, Querubin, etc.), as well as the shutting down of
The Daily Tribune and the military presence in the TV stations. Smells like something from over twenty years ago, something I only read about and hear from my parents and professors. Am I even allowed to write this?
Then on my birthday, we found UP in a lockdown. All exits and entrances to the campus were closed, save for the University Avenue. People--the few who were there--had to walk from building to building as the trusty Ikot was nowhere to be found. The whole place had Ghost Town written all over it. I trooped over to the AS steps to join (or did I merely watch?) the demonstration of UP students, along with some faculty and high-ranking UP officials. Bea and I met up and listened to the panelists talk. Later on I met with my labmates for lunch, in which I had tapsilog, sitting on the pavement and listening to increasingly louder cries of "Oust GMA!"
I'm ashamed to say that I still don't know what my stand is. I'm all for press freedom and respect for human rights, but if and when GMA is ousted, who will replace her? I am fervently hoping no one is going to say "Kabayan." Will there be another presidential elections? Will Susan Roces run? Most importantly, when will this cycle of electing presidents and removing them from office through mass demonstrations end? We've become quite adept at it already and, frankly, sometimes it makes me sick. Now I'm not even sure I'm proud I was there in the streets during EDSA II.
***I had to stay in the lab late to wait for a foreign shipment to arrive. By the time I got out I was really, really tired, and I was just beginning the long commute home. When I got to our house, however, I was pleasantly surprised because there was my whole family waiting for me with a birthday cake. I made a quick wish, then blew the candle. Took me right back to childhood.
