Liane Jazmine Saludo
There has been a great hue and cry as recent events are becoming a “three-ring circus” in the eyes of the powerful. Their corruption, vices, and decadence ensure that every day is a carousel in the Philippines. It’ll go on a loop for and on, as the ride operators are the politicians who continue to be passive bystanders. As concerned Filipinos, we can do a lot of things—but which of those may we actually do?
When some people go out to the streets with a fiery heart, a loud mind, and a ready voice, why must they be silenced before even starting with the noise? The era of traditional rallies being the sole means of protest is fading fast. Why? Because those in power have become experts at suppressing the physical voice of the people.
“No permit, no rally!” Those who are above feel like they have won for making us feel “locked up,” sacred with our standpoints—but sometimes, the key that pries the lock is really at our fingertips. Maybe, it's even glued to our hands.
Comments are on fire, posts are on repeat, and social media is on loop. When the youth lean on the same foundation yet again, for as long as time flies, you’d circle back to the question of whether they even have a choice—and most importantly, a voice.
Social media has become the people's megaphone. It's where the marginalized mobilize and where justice warriors wage their battles. You know how some complain about how the youth have phones practically glued to their hands and stuck in their minds? Perhaps it is just a facade for those individuals to hide their socially unaware selves. “Kakaselpon mo ‘yan,” they attack the kid when all he/she did was talk about the recurring issues.
Talking about it won't doom the country, ignoring the chaos will. In this current era where the powerful do something abominable while the majority of us utilize digital amplifiers—the right time is dawning on us to end this temporal paradox.
For now, some are left with no choice but to be locked on their own screens; no voice is heard, but their thoughts are more thunderous than ever. This circumstance does not mean the carousel is taking a turn for the worse, it means we are adapting to the spiraling. Playing a part in social media protests is not a “second option” or fallback for when mass meetings are looked down on—it can be seen as a way of regrouping.
Maybe, and hopefully, the Filipinos will come back stronger than ever, now that more people have been reached through every share, comment, and mention. Plans are constructed, the date is awaited, and the Filipinos are inspirited.
As the national clock chimes for September 21, every citizen will wake up with a heart that is ready to end the turmoil. Not everyone is a passive bystander willing to withstand this one hell of a ride—some are born to be an upstander willing to fight with pride.
