A SECOND CHANCE

Last June 30, 2010 would be marked in my book as the day my beloved Philippines was given a second chance in achieving a purposeful democracy.  Winning by a popular vote, Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III was sworn in as the 15^th President of the Philippine Republic.  More popularly known as Noynoy, he has captured the imagination and hope of the Filipinos that this country can be great once again. 

The tyrant that held power for more than nine years was sent-off with boos and heckling which was a welcome sight.  She was lucky that she didn’t get lynched or car-bombed as her convoy left the turn-over ceremony. 

She stole the presidency from FPJ. No doubt about that. What makes me ashamed  as a Filipino is that we went along with the ride, knowing full-well that her presidency was not legitimate. 

We turned our backs on the truth because we feared that if another  “actor” will take the helm of my beloved Philippines, this country would be another banana republic.  We sure paid the price for our collective cowardice.  The “economist” we allowed to be called president almost stripped the country of all its wealth and dignity. 

Noynoy maybe an agent of change but he cannot do it alone. It will take all of us to make the country change.  He is just the catalyst that brought us here today with a new hope of regaining our dignity as Filipinos.  I do not honestly believe that Noynoy is on a quest to relive the legacy his parents have left.  I believe he is there to point us in a direction where we all know will be a tough road to take.  It’s not up to him for the country to change, it’s really up to all of us to make change happen. 

Mr. President, thank you for giving us a second chance.  My fellow Filipinos, let’s not fuck this up again.  It’s time we repair the decays a malevolent bitch left us to rot.  It would be a crying shame if we do not seize the opportunity to be collective agents of change.