Liane Jazmine Saludo
On September 21, 2025, the people marched the streets with the same powerful belief instilled in their minds—there is nothing wrong with protests; there are protests because something is wrong. However, in this era, the corrupt would be glad to have been able to fish for a chance to further submerge the abused Filipinos in the dirty water they have created.
It will take a day, and the innocent are now the big bad monsters. It must feel rewarding for those in power that some ordinary people are now also stooping low. Why? It means that they're not the only evil ones in the battle.
As of September 22, 95 cops were injured and 216 protesters had been arrested. Rocks were thrown, properties were damaged, and tires were burnt. How fast time flies; it really only takes a while for big change to erupt. The nation of flooded isles is now a state of burning piles. Those two situations are both dreadful. But let's face it, even if the tables continued to turn, we wouldn't get to sit comfortably either way.
“Bato-bato sa langit, ang matamaa'y wag magalit,” a very prominent line from Gloc 9’s iconic song “Upuan,” released in 2009. This song has been enjoyed and performed countless times up to now—inferring how the melody’s tragic point is still relevant in light of persistent problems. The particular lyric quoted strikes a deep chord, especially when people take it to heart a bit too much—to the extent that they use and abuse it.
Just a little reminder, these Filipino songs that speak out against socio-political injustice should not be used as an excuse by anyone to awaken the fire in their hearts and abuse it to perform their intrusive thoughts.
Violence is not helping anyone. It hurts even those with the same stand.
A broadcast journalist and an activist were both injured as stones were flung. These were not just injuries that etched their skin. These were signs of peace disturbance.
“I'm ashamed of what I've become in the mirror—the face of my one true enemy,” is a lyric from Bamboo’s “Hallelujah,” a vociferous song that can not only be commonly performed during band competitions but also be a theme song for current happenings. By trying to reach the level of the opulent enemy, some settle for profaning themselves.
Why is the battle for justice becoming a battle of the bad?
If you ask me, there is already too much wickedness in this country. The corruption, deception, and manipulation are too much to endure.
September 21 was named as the National Day of Protest, wherein the morning demonstration at Luneta Park was flocked by almost 50,000 people—holding their placards and shouting their pleas. That was expected for every Filipino who marched with pride, they were to express their deepest disapproval with the trashy system. No sane Filipino would be a fanatic of today's politics.
Each Filipino was anticipated to be loud and proud regarding ghost projects, ongoing collusions, and especially the corrupt officials. You know what wasn't anticipated? The violence.
One male protester has died from stabbing, while another suffered a gunshot wound.
Violence does not solve problems, it just creates more problems.
The one true enemy might be grinning at us as they watch us engulfed in chaos. Let us not forget that we, ordinary Filipinos, all aim for power—not for personal gain, but for the country’s betterment.
At this moment, I shout Ben&Ben’s “Kapangyarihan” lyrics in my head: "Akala nyo ba ang kapangyarihan ay nasa inyo?" The power should not be given to those who do not know what to do with it. If you have your hidden agendas, do not think very highly of yourself. Those in the government who fail to fulfill their duties should be brought down. On the other hand, the same goes for those who contribute to the disruption of peace.
In this age, it is undeniable that the country is becoming a stage for the battle of the bad. When that one opponent is strong and is hard to bring down, the other contenders would fight fire with fire and maybe even take it far. But, a little reminder yet again, if you won't perform with peace, it's better to not perform at all.
