By: Iris P. Concepcion
I just got back from the inaugurals of the newly-elected President.
This is, again, another triumph of the creatively resourceful people who may have been dampened along the way by the very enterprising mechanisms of those who are not settled with being relegated to much less stellar positions. Nevertheless, they had managed to put up a pricking program. I have seen some people who actually broke down in tears along the excessive diversions of the past.
I was, again, pushed and even distracted. Nonetheless, the beauty of the speech, in Taglish form, was succinct in that it spares no easy condescension to those who had, to use his words, counter-flowed, whatever the world it means.
Of course, they tried to downplay it with irreverent remarks. But, you could not argue the videos running counter to nationalistic sentiments. If you have seen the flying balloons (sky diving) streaming down the wind while the People Power song was sung, it exposed more than anything else the power of truth over the senselessness of hypocratic oaths resolved by the masters of the beaten.
I think healing must come from them who were politely told, politely chastised, to sit down, shut up and to revert their odd energies to something useful this time. It was authoritative--this request that some media not block the platform this time, take away the spotlight from stuck skates and return it to the true meaning of the flag.
It was a sight to behold, that this transformation shall happen in that field of dreams, in such frankness that bites the sense of citizenship above else. Start from yourself. Much is expected to quell this animosity and we are taking it silently but louder.
The best part of the inaugural program was actually breaking down the program. When the singers started to belt out songs that conscience-wise, decomposed even the already dead people, tears fell as a result.
I vote for Noel Cabangon this time to the pinnacle of pure craftsmanship; his songs stole the thunder from the wayward hecklers. Anyone who has a copy of this original rendition, spread it! I cried when the lyrics started rolling. I felt weird but it is the much soulful, sincere underground Super Junior kicking in. His back-up, the GMA-7 artists provided a good support.
The voice of the people was heard. Those who had betrayed the faith did not receive applause this time. Not even a single clap, literally and figuratively. Do not call my name: I have faith and it is not for sale. After they were interviewed, there is just this nagging silence. This reception was deafening: the people just know. This too, will heal in time. We all learn something along the hopeful way.
I presume the speech shall be remembered for its intonation of fatherly discipline, its extolling the rules that must be followed. You feel one with the prexy when he said : "Nasagi at natulak ka na ba sa daan dahil sa naghari-harian? Naranasan ko na rin yan." It is the lament of true solidarity with the abused.
Kudos to the structures: the big watch, in Atlas Noynoy, is a masterpiece of the optical aesthetics (by Swatch). I am breaking away from my mold not to name brands this time. I think, corporate sharing must be rewarded with gratitude through this manner.
Dignitaries passed by in cars and buses and somehow, it stifled the haughtiness of those who may want to whack the proceedings. They must have felt queasy looking at their garages in that podium. The motion in front of the stage is more damning than any exhibit "A" to be presented in court. I like looking at their faces: those etches of being off-kiltered, of having to be reminded that this is wrong, of being told to embrace the good-trodden path this time.
And there is that hollering of helicopter in obvious color circling while fists are flying high underground. Talk about poetic injustice.
Noynoy said it well: Ngayon ka pa ba susuko na nanalo na tayo? It is not a win that courts power. It is a win that courts the possibility of informed, innovative and creative changes.
Thank you kids for putting up the fight. You had fought well and it showed. I like the way you had managed that coalition and you shall be remembered by those who are intelligently articulate to understand these things.
This time around, you had nailed it.