Hundreds of students walked out of their classrooms last friday in protest against everything about the Arroyo government. Mainly, they're crying out against the oil-deregulation law, R-vat and the high cost of education. I am not really doing anything that day, so I walked in on them.
Sceptics would say some of these kids are just doing it for fun, you know, trip lang; then let me tell you this, there is nothing fun in walking under the 2pm sun from UST to Plaza Miranda. Remember, this is a generation raised in convenience. Why read when you can search the net? Why use the landline when you can text? Instant noodles, instant messaging, instant everything. Why be there when you can stroll in an air-conditioned mall? Being there is not convenient for them. Them being there is already impressive.
The police estimated the crowd to be around 200. I think it was way more than that. The whole stretch of Morayta was almost full of people. But I must say, they are still not that many, especially if you compare them to the crowd that watched the UAAP opening live. I think they have to work more to awaken other students fire. But for now, atleast they are watching; atleast, they are noticing.
So this is the run down of their program. The music of ethnioc durms is contiually playing at the background. Some artists made the stage backdrop on the spot with the face of Gloria with worms, then there was a lot of chanting lead by three people from different youth organizations. There was roll-call of schools that were present and each school representative said a line or two. There was a performance by the UP Repertory, a number by a group of Filipino-Americans and a rock band, a militant rock band. Some speeches by key person, the most notable being Rep. Satur Ocampo, and then more chanting. So it isn't that different from any school programs I've been to. Heck, it's defenitely more entertaining than a lot of school presentations and far more educational than some of my class lectures.
I know waht a lot of people are saying, especially the elders ones. These kids shouldn't be on the streets, they should be in their classrooms studying. They are wasting their parents' money. But these kids are right, this is learning too. And what they can learn here is far more important than what they can learn inside a classroom. For one thing, it teaches them to care beyond themselves, to care what is happening to their country; not just to get a degree and ditch the country for good, which is ofcourse what most parents want them to do. It opens their eyes and minds to the injustices that are prevalent in this country and then teach them that they can do something about it. The UP Repertory said it: nothing is going to happen is we just cope and cope with the problem, we had been hoping since spanish times yet our situation is still the same. We should solve the problem and demand our officials to find ways to solve it.
I remember one catty remark from a grandmother a few months back while a group of student protesters were passing the jeepney we are in, she said " What the hell these kids are doing; do they think if they are the president, they can do something?" Ofcourse, she is the same grandmother whines everyday because of their cursed poverty. As to her question, what the heck, the economist can't do anything about maybe these kids can. After all, they still have their values intact. And most importantly, they still believe that this country can be save, that this country is worthy to be saved. Right now, they are taking their sentiments to the streets; calling on their fellow students and urging their elders; we have a problem, we have to do something about it, we can't just roll over and die.
Ofcourse, rallies and protest actions are not the solution to the problem. At the very best they are publicity stunts so that other people, especially those in power, will give attention to the problem. They also serve as a form of check and balance so that officials will know that the public is watching their every move and always ready to cry "foul" if their actions do not benefit the public. It is democracy at work.
For these, student-protestors; the streets are equal to their other classrooms. Just like in ordinary classrooms; the true test if you learned something is when you apply what you learned in the real world. You are fighting against corruption, you want the thieves and the hooligans to leave the government. You don't like selfish officials; more so dishonest, immoral ones. Then be the opposite of those people you are against. You're disgusted by the partisan selection of government appointees; when it is time for you to select your leaders, select them well, moreover educate others on how to select well. Imbibe the virtues that our politicians have forgotten. Lead not just with your words but also with your actions. Study, it is the responsible thing to do and it is what is expected of you. After all you are demanding government leaders to be responsible and to do the job that is expected of them. Especially in these hard times, study harder. So that somehow, someday; when you are ripe and have completed your learning, maybe you can find the way to save this country; beyond crying out in the street.
p.s.
I just can't help thinking, if that number of people fought for anti-smoking, then it would truly be revolutionary. just a thought.
