Cory and the Democracy

My half-awake status was halted by a mother’s (and a child’s) cry this afternoon, which sounded very familiar to me. She was Kris Aquino. Captivated, I finally decided to get up.

My first sight that moment was also a familiar one–my mother. She handed down some bottles of Coke to a buying neighbor. For the most part of her day, she was doing the household chores while watching the queue of people with Cory.

It then reminded me of the first news I heard on the first day of August. The woman who bravely fought against tyranny and authoritarian rule, the so-called Mother of Democracy, was overpowered by her internal physiological struggle. The yellowish rays of the sun has finally set for Cory Aquino.

Because of her contribution to the restoration of democracy and the role she assumed in Philippine history, Aquino’s legacy will always stay in every Filipino heart, for she once embodied what the people long for–change. In response to this, various documentaries were shown discussing the life Cory had gone through, which might have been too redundant.

We must admit that people gain so much from what the media gives us. People see them as a neutral entity responsible for information dissemination, providing transparency which has not fully shown by the government. But sometimes, skepticism comes into me. There were times that media amplify issues too much, thus delineating the dichotomy existing between people-oriented information dissemination and over-sharing as a form of propaganda.

Which makes me ponder. As stated by various programs recently, is Cory the Mother of Democracy?

Random Thoughts

This month has given me the total headache. Swear. This has been a month of confusion for me. Honestly, the first semester is about to end in a month or so, yet I was too lame to adjust to the new responsibilities that I have as of the moment. I even had the thought of graduating earlier, and I really want to graduate the moment I thought of doing so. Usually, I mean it.

OMG. Three more semesters to endure.

Oh-bley-shun

It was a very momentous week for the University of the Philippines last week.

From its first campus in Padre Faura in 1908, the University is now celebrating its centennial year as the country’s national university. A lot of excessive, unnecessary activities were lined up for the Centennial Year. Aside from the regular Centennial Lectures, a Centennial Week was also scheduled. In fact, the UP Centennial Concert: Pamantasang Hirang was held for three nights at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Being a part of the University Student Council, I was privileged to get a free ticket for the Pamantasang Hirang. In UP Manila, a new Oblation Plaza situated in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) was inaugurated–with a new Oblation, of course.

Still, the University has little reasons to celebrate.

Misleading Concept of Change

This year’s summer continue to instill laziness in me. Although a lot of student council work eat up my time, those things were not really enough to lose time for other things. Indeed, being a part of the UP Centennial Student Council is a privilege yet a tiring experience.

I’ve been a semi-bum, semi-workaholic person this summer. If I’m not busy in council-related tasks, I keep myself alive because of extreme bumness. Watching Shakey’s V-League every afternoon has become a necessary part of my Extreme Bumness Days. It’s as if my day won’t be complete without seeing those girls clad in enticing volleyball jerseys. LOL.

Ateneo de Manila University Lady Blue Eagles versus San Sebastian College – Recolletos Lady Stags. Two of the high-caliber teams the league has, and that was that day’s match. As the afternoon’s heat worsens, so was the action being shown by these two teams. Besides, seeing Ateneo’s Charo Santos alone makes me feel hotter. LOL.

The second set is over, and this commercial was aired.

The Herd Against The Shepherd

Attending the Sunday mass has become my habit for years. Due to some things I love doing in the early part of the day, I always opt to attend the last mass, the 7 PM mass. In addition to this, most of the priests that I like the most hold their mass on that slot. I liked these priests because of their comical yet virtuous stories during the Homily. Well, I guess many priests are good fiction storytellers. Kidding. LOL.

Last week, I was quite disappointed not to see my favorite priest, the one with the same body built as mine. LOL. Nevertheless, the homily was still interesting. As far as I can remember, the Good Shepherd and the flock was what the Gospel is all about.

Father: Ang ating mga nanay at tatay, sila ang pastol ng mga anak sa buong mundo. O, eto. May itatanong ako sa inyo. Tingnan natin kung magagaling kayo. Sino ang pastol ng Simbahang Katoliko?
Crowd: (Quite whispering as they answer in chorus like grade school children) Pope Benedict XIV.
Father: Naku, bakit yata mahina? Parang hindi natin kilala ang Santo Papa. Tsk. Kilala ba natin? Amen?
Crowd: Amen.
Father: O, sige. Sino naman ang pastol ng ating diocese? Kilala po ba natin?
Crowd: (No response)
Father: (Asking response from the crowd) Si? Si..
Women in Green*: (As if coaching the crowd) Archbishop** Jose Oliveros.
Father: (Shakes his head) Naku, naku. Hindi pala natin kilala. Tsk. Pupunta pa naman siya dito sa ating fiesta sa susunod na buwan. Dapat kilala po natin s’ya. Pakiulit nga po natin. Si..
Crowd: Archbishop Jose Oloveros.
Father: Ayan. Mabuti naman. Tandaan po natin , ha. O, eto! Siguradong kilala ninyo ito. Sino po ang pastol ng ating bansa? Si..
Crowd: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Father: Tumpak po! Hehe. Kung makikita natin, karaniwang sumusunod sa pastol ang mga tupa. Eto, tanong uli. Kayo ba naman ay sumusunod kay Presidente?
Crowd: (Low in volume but well-enunciated) HINDI.
Yom: (Simultaneous with the chorus) HINDI! ASA PA S’YA!
Cutie beside Yom: (Looks at her)
Father: Naku, hindi pala sinusunod ang ating Presidente. Tsk. Alam naman po nating nasangkot sa iba’t ibang katiwalian ang Pangulo. Pero kahit gaano pa kasama ang ating pastol, ano ho, dapat pinagdarasal natin sila upang magbago.
Yom: (Agitated) Tang-ina, if we’ll only pray, kamusta naman ang Pilipinas!
Cutie beside Yom: (Looks once again)
Yom: (Smiles)
Yom’s thought: Ang cute n’ya, ang cute n’ya! LOL.

* The ones who collect donations during mass. LOL.
** Unsure about the head of the diocese. I forgot if it’s the Bishop or the Archbishop.