enough is enough

Everyone has the right to protest, especially against the scheming and corrupt, the abuse of power, the thieving of our taxpayer money. The rallies across the country today, including at the boulevard on the corner of Silliman Avenue and Flores Avenue here in Dumaguete, were not meant to divide people, but to unite us in demanding accountability and justice, to put fear back into the hearts of those who still think they can get away with their crimes.

With the Pride Run Club 6200, I joined the anti-corruption rally in Dumaguete City. They had enough members to represent just about every field. Corruption seeps everywhere, may affect politics, education, sports, healthcare, even our culture and the arts. Everything in between. That’s why protest works best when it’s intersectional. And if the mid-2000s taught us anything through Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, it’s this: we’re all in this together.

Always disappointing that a Disney flick still makes more sense than most of the people who run the country.

Often, we feel limited to offering only thoughts and prayers. My friend and I talked about this earlier this morning. But I cannot discount the efforts of those who protest. This, to me, is still real legitimate action. Without them, many laws would never have been created or amended.

If we hope for massive resistance like in Nepal or Thailand, I think it may be harder in our country because we are so fragmented. That is why political awareness is crucial, especially among the young. This is where empathy, maturity, and clarity in choosing leaders take root.

Yes, survival comes first for many. People are hungry, overworked, underpaid. But history shows change is possible. It already happened before, overhauling a system, ending a dictator’s reign. It can happen again.

May this movement not end in the streets. And send all korap to Mars.

[ More photos here ]