Rallies are difficult to organize as they are the culminating point of a series of political activities starting from training programs to workshops and conferences that provide the theoretical and practical bases for political stands. When handled well, they strengthen the will of the people and raise their urges for change. In such a short time of two to three hours, the organizers will be able to further the grasp of the people for political ideas and the need for concrete action.
In the rally last night, “patikim lamang” is how we can describe its possibilities of creating a strong social movement. All the ingredients for a successful introductory rally were there. The pacing was not boring as after every speech, a song was delivered by either a solo or group singers who had varied repertoire – marching songs, rock, and ballads. Then the songs were accompanied by a video presentation on the left side of the stage. The screen which enlarged the images on stage provided a better view for the audience who had to contend with hard-headed flag bearers waving them in the middle of the crowd. Actually they should only be allowed to stand in the periphery and not in the middle so as to make the view of the stage unobstructed.
The video also was a strong aid in making the political events in the past remind the audience of the need for higher forms of struggle in order to never to repeat the historical errors whereby human rights were trampled upon as during martial law, the theft of the presidential title in 2000, and the enactment of HR 1109. In fact, the presentation of the faces of those who signed the latter delivered an impact on the minds of the public that, though these people looked “kagalang-galang” photowise, they were after all too human, if not to be too base as to allow their greed to tower over their commitment to public service as receiving their country development funds of P20M from an illegitimate president.
The speakers included both known political figures and leaders of organizations. But one could discern those who were speaking from the heart, and those from the head only through the sharpness of their eyes, not their words.
My only comments would center on the types of speeches: they were repetitive
of the theme: “ibasura si Gloria, ibasura ang cha-cha.”
As I have been going to Tondo and Smokey Mountain since the 80’s in order to conduct consciousness-raising sessions among women, I find it rather insensitive to be using the word "ibasura." Many women and men until now still work as scavengers in the dumpsites created after the leveling of the original Smokey Mountain. I think that the word “ibagsak” should be retained instead of “ibasura” or any other Pilipino word. When we say “ibagsak” we are shaking up the foundations of the very institutions that are being manipulated for selfish ends of politicians. “Ibagsak” also has a historical significance as it was used to end the dictatorship of Marcos, literally. When "ibasura" is used, this sounds too soft, as paper could still be retrieved and recycled -- as what is happening now with corrupt politicans being recycled.
Also, speakers need to discuss among themselves what each one should tackle in order to explain to the people the meaning of cha-cha, aside from having the same thieving delegates again in the halls of power. So the possible topics that could be tackled in the future are: the quality of legislations – with titles- that have been enacted, the quantifiable costs of each legislation considering the salaries and operating costs of the institutions.
Another topic is a brief differentiation between the legislators of pre-martial law years and how we can say that those were shining moments of democratic rules in our country when being a legislator was not a bad word.
Still another is the role of the military in stabilizing the society, and the need for its strengthening civilian supremacy in theoretical and concrete terms and not for generals to be handling civilian duties. Important as swell is the role of the church in furthering or barring the development of social movements in the country. This could have been the theme of the speech of priest-turned-governor Among Ed.
Also, why not show the relation of the arts and music in furthering social movements in the country. This could raise the people’s taste for them and thereby not allow trivial treatment of the arts and music in our country as fit only for scandal-ridden events. s
The most significant is a history of social movements in the country, our failures and triumphs in conducting a successful one that could strengthen our will as a people asserting and guiding the directions of this country.
- Wilhelmina S. Orozco
Salvador Dali, "The Ship"
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