We're not out of the woods, Philippines!

It was 1986, and we woke up to the news that classes were suspended and that people were walking towards EDSA. In the millions.

It was a different time, and indeed, a different Philippines. I was twelve when this happened, and although the exact memories are hazy, the feeling of fear and quiet but firm repression prevailed. There were slogans for Marcos' political party everywhere, and every Friday morning during flag ceremony, we had to sing "May bagong silang, may bago nang buhay".. right after the Philippine national anthem, like a second anthem.

In the confines of our low-key Catholic education, the nuns of St Marys College made sure the school had all the trappings required by the dictatorship. Little loyalty badges, now that I have the benefit of hindsight.

At home, Dad made sure we didn't say anything against the government - we were being watched, especially since an aunt of mine had gone off to join the underground movement against Marcos. Connections with the Armed Forces and the Tacloban network did not spare our neighbourhood from military searches at the crack of dawn and police raids. I remember one time Mama had to hide us in the clothes cabinet, hushing us to keep quiet, telling us if we heard loud voices and gun fire, we should keep quiet even more. The soldiers found Che Guevara's Episodes of the Cuban Revolutionary War in the book case - Dad's - and were close to hauling him off for questioning... until their commanding officer found out they were from the same fraternity.

It took at least two million people to change from living on tenterhooks to breathing in the air of democracy once again. And like other fellow Filipinos, I enjoyed the admiration the world gave us. We had done our race good, our country proud!

Fast forward twenty three years, and the final icon of that momentous point in Philippine history has been laid to rest. Cory Aquino may not have brought back the price of the lowly galunggong to what it was before the Marcos dictatorship, and she may not have accepted the debt pardon offered to the Philippines during her time as President, but she showed us how an ordinary Filipino housewife , given the right circumstances and right motives, can change history. Set the country right back on track.

I know my country is not on track now. There are no natural resources left to speak of, no significant backbone industries, and more importantly, a feeling of hopelessness and despair pervades the country - like we're stuck again.

Now that that same crowd who once went to EDSA in 1986 are back on the streets, seeing Cory Aquino off one last time, it is time for the Filipino people to think about setting the country right again. Let's not rely on political dynasties, on ambitious, greedy politicians, on actors who want the office and not the responsibility to do this for us. They've been running the show for 23 years since EDSA. Look at where they are ... and look at where we are.

Perhaps what it will take to set us right again is for ordinary Filipinos to look at ourselves and acknowledge that what we need are leaders with foresight whose moral compasses are intact.
People who are not politically naive, but who are willing to put the country first, and their families' interests last. People whose egos don't need a backrub, and whose purses don't need that extra billion peso pay-off.

It's not too late, Philippines.
We can be great again.


Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig na sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag

Philippines, my country, my homeland
Gold and flowers in her heart abound
Blessings on her fate did love bestow
Sweet beauty's grace and splendor's glow.

At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa

How her charms so kind and tender
Drove the stranger to desire her...
Land of mine, in fetters kept,
You suffered as we wept.

Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal-dilag
Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas

Birds that freely claim the skies to fly
When imprisoned mourn, protest and cry!
How more deeply will a land most fair
Yearn to break the chains of sad despair.

Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha at dalita
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya

Philippines, my life's sole burning fire,
Cradle of my tears, my misery...
All that I desire
To see you rise, forever free!


Filipino lyrics by Jose Corazon de Jesus (1929), music by Constancio de Guzman
English translation by: Ed Maranan from Bayan Ko! Images of the Philippine Revolt (circa 1986)