Of Symbols and Manifestos

Protest movements, especially in the Philippines, have a very prolific way of creating symbols, slogans, manifestos, labels, logos and what not. Even the beeps of car horns and whistles carry their meaning. For example if the slogan is “Gloria Resign!”, the horn goes Beeep Beeep, Bi-Bip. It is actually similar to Marcos’ old horn beat derived from the slogan “Marcos, Pa Rin!” Cory Aquino’s horn beat repeatedly goes Beeep Beeep, for the “Co-ry! Co-ry!” chant. So now I present the Gloria Resign movement its own set of symbols, labels, logos, and manifestos which are posted below.

(All photos below from Kabayan)

Do you wish more? Just post in the comment section...

Amid the Flags and Banners

Strolling leisurely and expectantly last February 29, 2008, I had a silly grin on my face. It was getting dark but a lot of people were busy walking to and fro; after all it was Protest Day in Makati. Photo exposure was bad but still took a shot of police vehicles, its occupants relaxed and seemingly indifferent to the masses of people in Paseo de Roxas corner Ayala Avenue.

Photo by Kabayan

As I rounded the corner, I was pleased to discover that compared to the last Feb 15, 2008 rally where I had to walk a kilometer before seeing any sign of a substantial gathering, this time I was immediately greeted by the sight of these line of jeepneys with flags stuck out from different places of its body. There are indeed signs of far more numerous protesters this time around.

Photo by Kabayan

Walking along the avenue, I saw a clump of seminarians walking along Ayala. I was elated expecting that this trip would produce one of the more prolific photo shoots I ever had. I checked my camera, I got worried as the exposure was poor and the shot results leave much to be desired. Photo by Kabayan

Finally I saw the edge of the gathering of people with flags and banners visible from afar. I also saw some white foreigners with their cameras slung over their shoulders. Either they are reporters or tourists, I thought. Lining up a shot on a large contingent of seminarians, I clicked my camera and then *@#%^&*! I ran out of battery power! I tried resetting the camera several times but to no avail. The battery was dead. Going back home was no option; it was already nightfall and public transports were filled.

Swallowing my chagrin, I just have to make my trip worth my while, after all expressing outrage against massive government corruption and abuses was the main reason I was there in the first place. As I went nearer to the center of the rally, I eventually bumped into a wall of people. This is as far as I can go. The view was exhilarating, flags and banners of different colors. The red banners and flags which is usually seen in former rallies now represent a fraction of the blues, greens, whites and yellows now waving amid the spotlights. A band called “The Woods” was belting out the music of the times. The tune and beat was actually quite good and the message just as penetrating. A section of the song goes … “May kuliling ang pagdinig, May kuliling ang pagdinig,” apparently referring to Gloria Arroyo’s attitude of not listening to people with legitimate grievances. Now the small group of people she ignored before became a massive gathering. This time Gloria took notice and showed this by cowering inside Camp Crame. Hers now, as some describe, is a Throne of Bayonets; for me I can describe her new found refuge more as a Cage of Bayonets. She is now a prisoner of her own making, unable to safely go out without the army of men and steel which used to be the principled Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police. Now many officers in high positions have become beholden to a corrupt person who plays them like a fiddle.

I tried my camera again to capture the moment, the people, the faces and other unforgettable images. No luck. Battery remained dead as a doornail. I just have to make the best of the situation. I looked for a human angle to this mass, trying to look for interesting trees in the thick forest. I spied on a vendor and a curious looking teenager assistant with his hair dyed blonde. Maybe it’s time to focus on people who are most in need yet often ignored in our society. I squeezed through the crowd and headed towards their direction. It’s time to have a chat. (Continued to article - For whom do we fight for (Part 1))

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Resign ! (3rd Blogswarm)

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Resign Now!
Why?
Because we're fed up with Buwayas in Government

Who feed upon the future of people including their children and children's children

Everybody is talking about it and the masses of Filipino people want you out...

He wants you out
We want you out

If it can speak this dog wants you out, you're giving dogs a bad name
Above photos in this article by Kabayan
So Gloria Arroyo, Resign Now!
Blogswarm image below courtesy of Tongue-in-Anew

Unseen and Unsung Heroes, the Eye of the People

Remember those ubiquitous jalopies which ply places where there seem to be a lot of action? Yes, these are the pride of the news networks. The news van. These vehicles have come a long way from those olden times when reporters run to buses or jeepneys to get their story or "scoop". Some of these TV network vans sport high tech collapsible communication antennas, dishes and a spaghetti of wires and cables which I give a wide berth during rainy days for fear of electrocution (they say its safe but who knows). Some are no frills vehicles commonly used by by radio networks. But whatever high tech gizmos these vehicles carry, I am more impressed with what truly makes these equipment valuable; those who use them, namely the news crew.





For the first part of my coverage of the prayer rally at Baclaran Redemptorist Church last 25th of February 2008, I would like to focus on a different kind of people. For once I wish to do a coverage on people who do a coverage; the news people.


I usually admire news network reporters who go to harms way just to give an accurate, blow by blow reporting at the risk of their own lives; so that us the viewing or hearing public would be informed of an accurate depiction of what happens on the news site. Events which involves action, battles, chases and even rallies or other news of significance are among the top favorites and undoubtedly the same would be true to majority of listeners and viewers. The most influential of the news medias are those in television and the "face" of these medium are the TV reporters. Some of these reporters have become popular as a result; so popular in fact that some even win elected political posts. For many of those who truly put their life in the line especially those in war situations get popular and rightly so, a bullet or shrapnel in the wrong place could end the career or life of a TV reporter.

(Sol Aragones dialing her cellphone after a camera take)

(Ces Drilon reporting)

However, did you ever wonder that every time we see a news reporter in an action scene especially in dire situations (Like the one in the siege of Lamitan where the Abu Sayaff holed up in a hospital, I believe Patrick Paez was there), many forget the person responsible for the action shots which makes the reporter famous. Yes, many forget the man behind the camera, the cameraman. You can only imagine them lugging around a heavy piece of equipment (i.e. the camera), at times through kilometers of jungle, dodge danger and even bullets, and yet be in the perfect position to get an excellent shot?



Considering all these, I learned to admire and love the gallant and courageous cameramen. And thus during the February 25, 2008 Redemptorist church prayer rally, these photos are my tribute to these unusual men.

Above photos in this article by Kabayan

As we watch them from the comforts our computer and virtual world, let us give a collective round of applause to all the brave, dedicated, strong, and courageous people who face real challenges and danger yet still make the news images look good. Our surrogate "eye" which enable us to actually see events that happen all over the world. The Cameramen. Mabuhay kayo.

Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Rallies

(Image from Manila Mail)

February 25, 2008 -- The activities in Ortigas People Power Monument was stiff and "immaculate". It was organized as if by a military organization and most likely it was. People going in and out of the venue were screened and most not allowed to enter. Gone are the festive crowds who used to grace the celebrations, the event was somber at best. An ominous first sign was evident - there were more policemen than civilian attendees.

When the program started, conspicuously absent was Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She seemed to have waived the tradition that the Presidents of the Philippines should always grace the occasion. She might have been warned of "threats"; in any case it's just as well since many sectors of society question if she is indeed the legitimate President of the Philippines. The shadow of the "Hello Garci" election fraud scandal simply would not go away.

Then the pro-administration's Vice President Noli de Castro, Military Chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita ; and the politically lukewarm former president Fidel V. Ramos, failed to raise the Philippine flag after the rope got stuck while the national anthem was being sung. The honor guards helped to no avail. Unexpectedly the rope snapped. Bayani Fernando led others in using one of the smaller flag poles flanking the main one and finally raised the flag.

However it did not end there.The sound system broke down while singer Renz Verano sang songs associated with the original EDSA People Power days. At one point he has to sing acapelas. To lessen the embarrassment, the big-shots on stage tried to sing along with him(I fail to see how this would lessen the embarrassment however.) To his credit, Agapito "Butz" Aquino along with a few people on stage, raised their clenched fists in the air while singing; a true symbol of the pre-EDSA 1 to People Power 1 days. Later a helicopter circled above several times and dropped confetti. It missed the stage during its first try, eliciting chuckles from the crowd. Then another attempt for a better drop; this time some of the bundled confetti bunched up and one even landed on one television cameraman's lens. A bombing run couldn't have been better executed.

Secretary Ermita dismissed the unsavory event to "Murphy's Law." However as probabilities go, the series of unfortunate events was as likely as lightning striking several times in one spot. Despite trying to dismiss the unusual snafus, an ominous mood was felt.

Hours later and as if on cue, this sign manifested itself in the form of thousands of protesters demanding for the resignation of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The riot police tried to enforce the repressive No-Permit No-Rally policy in the site but to no avail; they were simply swamped by overwhelming numbers of outraged rallyists. The protesters with their colorful streamers and banners took the EDSA Shrine which was denied them for so long. The weather brightened and the festive mood of multitudes, which the Arroyo administration tried to suppress for so long, returned. The scene now hearkens back to the original People Power; finally the EDSA Shrine belongs to the ordinary man on the street, not to the select influential few - as it should have been and as it should be for a long time to come.

*************

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Resign!

Blogswarmers of our race Unite! Gloria Arroyo Resign!

Photo by Kabayan

GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, RESIGN ! ... Why, you might ask? For those who for some reason who are unable to follow the multitude of issues and for those who INTENTIONALLY wants to forget; here’s why.

I had once posted this to Inquirer.net blogs before it came under the control of the powers that be. No matter, in the administration’s attempt to squash those who oppose the corrupt and hacks protecting these abusers of power, this served only to scatter the posters to spread the word on the sordid state of affairs of our nation. The posters even learned how to make blogs and became bloggers; that made the effort of exposing these corrupt people in power even more effective. To the harebrained schemer who tried to control our posts, Thank you for now we are now more powerful than ever.

An earlier list was posted in the blog courtesy of the Pedestrian Observer (Thanks Jaywalker)

Now a Feb 24 updated list on why Gloria, and/or her administration are deemed not only to be the most corrupt but also either involved, part of, or unable to resolve the following, and is fit to Resign:

1. Involved in trying to destroy our democracy through numerous Executive Orders like E.O. 464. and E.O. 1017
2. Part of those who wish to ram Cha-cha down our throats
3. Massive habitual unresolved election fraud
   
4. Involvement in “Hello Garci” Garcillano electoral fraud scandal
5. Bedol scott free of his involvement in electoral fraud and boasting ownership of an armory
6. Passports tampering involving the DFA themselves
7. Cover-ups, protection and worse, giving Coast guard escort to illegal fishermen back to their country (ex. Chinese fishing boat caught at Tubhattaha protected Philippine marine sanctuary - this has happened several times to boot)
8. Those involved in the Fertilizer scam
9. Jocjoc Bolante protected by govenment
10. North Railway anomalies
11. Policemen serving warrantless arrests
12. Banning, harassing, and intimidating freedom of speech and assembly
13. Threats and arrests of media personnel
14. Those who ignored public bidding (example; like the bidding of the dozens upon dozens of police cars) by abusing “Executive Privilege”
15. Coddling and protecting corrupt people and criminals (ex. like those who protect and benefited from COMELEC Garcillano, Gambling Lords like the Pinedas, Jocjoc Bolante etc.)
16. Arresting witnesses to election fraud in Lanao and jailing good soldiers like Gen. Gudani and Colonel Balutan by making the midnight Executive order 464
17. Arresting of people for simply wearing “Palitan na, Now na” T-shirts
18. Banning of leaders from making a speech in a Luneta rally
19. Raiding (without warrant) a house where the opposition were analyzing fraudulent electoral returns
20. Loss and tampering of ballot boxes in Congressional custody
21. Assassination or kidnapping of electoral fraud witnesses like Musa Dimasidsing and several teachers for being honest and having integrity
22. Continued proliferation of Gambling Lords roaming around scot-free like the Pinedas and Singsons.
23. Military, police officers and government officials who enriched themselves in gambling operations especially those with opulent lifestyles (Maj. Mosqueda, generals and government officials) are still out there enjoying fruits of their crime.
24. Destruction of the spirit of the law for the ends of the corrupt few especially the one in the top position of the Department of Injustice.
25. Killing of journalists and people simply because they spoke out against corruption and anomalies.
26. Allows, participates and abets a host of other crimes by those in power simply because they are allies.
27. Assigning people who indiscriminately cut trees in City Parks (ex. Arroceros Park) in top level DENR position
28. Continually try to find ways to do away with public bidding through loopholes in “executive decisions”
29. Use of public funds for personal election campaigns
30. Instituted electoral fraud upon our OFWs abroad in the last election (Ahh, those corrupt in power thought this would not eventually be discovered)
31. ZTE Deal Anomaly and other deals with “Executive Privilege” tag involving billions of dollars (the purpose of which is to enable hook government offices in a secure online infrastructure an unreasonably exorbitant waste of money that the government doesn’t even have which will be financed by China. A burden to the already debt ridden government that will be shouldered by the citizens and future citizens yet to be born, JCPO.)
32. Questionable “Made in China” deals. (ex. Cyber Ed deal etc.)
33. Attempting (if not already partially implemented) leasing out of 1 million to up to 2 million hectares of PHILIPPINE agricultural land to a China firm.
34. Declaring E.O. 464 to prevent Sec. Neri from testifying in additional details in ZTE bribery deal
35. Bribery in Congress – attempted bribery of Cong. Beltran
36. P 500,000 Bribery in Malacanang Palace and dispensing other “brown paper bags” filled with money ranging from P 200,000 to P 500,000 to the administration’s political stooges
37. Quashing of any investigation on the bribery scandal courtesy of the Committee of Injustice in Congress
38. Arrest and detention of media personnel in Manila Peninsula Hotel
39. The continuing killings of media men and women along with kidnapping, killing, torture, detention of people and even students.
40. Attempted revival of the Charter Change
41. Intimidation and threats by Sec. Puno to media people and networks
42. Abduction of ZTE anomaly witness Jun Lozada
43. Threats and moves against Jun Lozada, a whistle blower of the anomalous ZTE transaction.
44. Attempt to divert funds for housing program for the PNP and AFP personnel to the scandal ridden NBN deal.
45. Revival AGAIN of the Charter Change issue this February 2008
46. Allies attempts to remove Fr. Panlilio from office through the COMELEC
47. STILL unresolved kidnappings such as those of Jonas Burgos, Karen Empeño, Sherlyn Cadapan, Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado, Nilo Arado, Maguindanao election teachers among others.
    

Primarily the proliferation, whether directly or indirectly, of continuing support to this corrupt and evil system is made through people who are either:

a. Paid

b. Employees of government.

c. They are relatives and friends of corrupt officials themselves.

d. Those that directly or indirectly benefit from a corrupt system

Recent additions to this:

48. Using the police to block people who intend to go to rallies
49. Using the Air Transport Office to ban helicopters and aircraft from covering the rally
50. Arrest of people in Calamba for participating in rallies
51. Questionable arrest of staff people of Senator Trillanes.
52. Questionable Spratleys deal with China
53. Overpriced Diosdado Macapagal Highway

I’m certain that decent and impartial citizens of the Philippines have something to add to this list. Just enter in the comment section.

An additional reminder to Gloria Resign Blogswarmers; I recommend this suggestion from agnesdv (All That Blogs blogsite) when making your blogs:

I'd like to remind everyone, to use Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's full name in your posts. Let it be known, that her name (however it is Google searched: Gloria, +Macapagal, +Arroyo) will FOREVER be linked and be synonymous to corruption, to judicial killings, to selling her own country to China and to her bad presidency. She not only tainted her name, but also her father's. Let this history not be forgotten again.

Below is improvement of "Gloria Devil" image; from The Bystander site. (With your permission Bystander if it's okay :) )


And another edited image for Grizzy aka lahingbughaw who also have a blog at Maria Clara in Revolution