THE CASE OF THE MISSING RALLYISTS...
So I woke up this morning and went to the Starbucks to get a coffee. While at the counter, I bumped into my friend Diana and she asked me if I was going to the "Interfaith" rally (photo above). "You must be joking of course," was my reply. Truth be told, anything that mixes politics and religion seems as ridiculous to me as a horse wearing pantyhose. But having said that, I wanted to check who would be going to this thing. So I asked the barista in front of me if he was going and he said "no." Later on, I went to work out and asked the receptionists and the trainers if they were going and they all said, "no." I had a meeting with a client after gym and asked her if she was going, and she also said, "no." None of the waiters in the restaurant I had lunch at said they were going either. On my ride back to Malate, my cab driver said he wasn't going and neither was the lady behind the counter at Aristomart where I bought a pack of smokes and a lighter. And when I went on my afternoon tour, I learned that nobody in the San Agustin front desk was going to go to the rally, the museum's curator Father Galende wasn't going, Connie from the canteen wasn't going, and neither was Jun the janitor. My secretary Lesley wasn't going and neither was my maid, Joanne. And at Robinson's Midtown, the place was packed to the rafters with people NOT GOING TO THE RALLY. Furthermore, none of the neighbors on my floor went, my wife didn't go and neither did anyone from my immediate (or even extended family). And so I wonder, if none of them went and neither did I - WHO went to this rally then? Because if I didn't go and neither did any of the dozens of people I encountered today, then nobody went. Truth be told, I heard more complaints today about the traffic caused by the rally then about the ZTE scandal or about Gloria herself.Note to the organizers of these rallies: If you want to really get our attention, you must try to beat the 70,000 attendees of Beyonce's concert at the Fort. 15,000 to 20,000 is just Araneta Coliseum at capacity. C'mon! I can't take these numbers seriously considering we are a city of over 11 million. And while you are at it, try to bring in more people than the usual suspects who would be there anyway. Now, if you can get the office workers of Ayala Ave to start coming down from their buildings to JOIN YOU on the street instead of walking away from you towards the malls, then maybe you would have something. But until then, I hate to say it, the tipping point ain't coming and People Power JUST isn't gonna happen this time.
Sigh, I wish all this grandstanding and esoteric condemnation of "corruption" would all go away already. Truly, these guys need to find another more effective way to "get rid of corruption" or get back to work like the rest of us. This whole "People Power" BS is soooo totally going in the wrong direction and it's just becoming boring, annoying and sad. And judging by the crowd - less than a third of it's predicted numbers, I think many others might be agreeing with me too. I think the majority has spoken. We are all willing to wait two years. Deal with it.
Thanks nerdy_m4rc for the photo.
Thanks nerdy_m4rc for the photo.
posted by carlosceldran @ 11:32 PM
38 Comments:
It was not 30,000. I say it was 20,000 at the most.
In the photo above you can see the crowds are already thinning near the top of the picture.
Traffic was hell. I hate these people.
I went to Makati today, not to join the rally but too meet with friends. While crossing from Landmark to Greenbelt, I saw this procession of Assumption students who seem to be walking back to their campus from Ayala. And it was only 5:47pm.
A couple of people I personally know said they're joining the rally. I don't know if they actually went though.
I just avoided Makati today and I will never join this rally nor people I know. Sorry nalang sila. Sila-sila nalang mag rally every week hanggang magsawa sila.
What I can't stand about these rallyists is how stupidly pig-headed they are. Their desire to get the president to resign started in 2001, arguably with EDSA III. Did it work? NO!
They tried numerous times, most significantly in 2005 to replace her via rallies. Did it work? No chance!
Again in 2006. Wala pa rin.
So fast-forward to 2008 na! You still want the president to resign. What do you do? I have an idea!! Use the exact SAME tactic, in the SAME place, with the SAME -- though much fewer -- people.
Cory is a pot calling kettle Glo black. Smell the coffee Cory! Ruling the government is not a job for housewives like you.
That Rez Cortez guy said they were 80,000.00++ at the rally. Oh well, people are entitled to their own fantasies. hahaha
Hi Carlos
I don’t think you can equate numbers of people who don’t attend a political demonstration with those who do. We don’t know why the people you saw in Robinsons weren't at the rally. Perhaps they were on a break from their jobs or had to buy a present for their kids or whatever. On the other hand, perhaps their deep love for the pure and incorruptible president inspired them to go shopping to boost the GDP. We just don’t know. There will always be more people who don’t attend a rally than who do—even in 1986 most people stayed at home rather than hit the streets.
On the other hand, we do know that the protesters on Ayala rejected a host of more convenient and attractive options for their Friday night in order to stand and be counted. Because they make an active rather than a passive choice protestors' “votes” are normally regarded as more significant than those of the stay at homes.
Actually, I think you can compare the two.
Yesterday just proved that the anti glo folks aren't making a "sale" to to the people so to speak. It shows that the message IS NOT resonating among the people.
People have seen this tv show before and it's old and it needs to be cancelled.
"On the other hand, perhaps their deep love for the pure and incorruptible president inspired them to go shopping to boost the GDP."
And what's the deal with the sarcasm with you and MLQ? Just because we aren't calling for her resignation doesn't mean we LOVE the girl.
As I said on MLQ's blog. Things are NOT black and white in real life.
I am not pro Glo. I'm just anti People Power 4. Get it?
Nope. You're for apathy and deep cynicism. I guess these rallies are bad for your business, huh? Oh yeah, that's right ... that's all that's important to your fat ass in this world.
You shoulda went to the rally ... you definitely could use the exercise, hahaha.
Right on Carlos..... I am not pro-glo either, but every rally these people make puts a hold on our economy. Not just for the day or days they rallied to change the president(S) but stop the economy for months after. We should stop listening to Padre Damaso(s)!
"You shoulda went"
Whoever you are. You could have deleted the message and fixed the grammar.
You "coulda been" taken more seriously.
Hay naku. The anti Gloria folks are getting prickly.
Ok. I'll stop. I won't kick you all when you're down.
Zip. I will be quiet from now on.
No to apathy_speak your mind. What a hypocrite you are. You obviously only allow people to speak their minds as long as they agree with your point of view.
I'm not a pro-GMA as well but its very sad indeed that some Filipinos do not think of the welfare of our country as a whole. Why cant they just wait for 2yrs?
GMA did not invent corruption. It has always been there and its not only happening in the government sector. So booting her out will change everything? as simple as that?
Our economy is growing not seen in many years, whether its because of the remittances (i'm an OFW too)doesnt really matter. Our economy is growing lets dwell on that and do our part to keep it going. I find it hard to understand why these people just keep trying to pull down GMA. They seem to be more worried that if she succeed making this country a better place they will be irrelevant. So who are the real patriot here?
(pls pardon my grammar hehe.. :)
The economy is growing because of many, many global factors, not because of GMA.
"GMA did not invent corruption. It has always been there and its not only happening in the government sector. So booting her out will change everything? as simple as that?"
So does it mean that we should just keep quiet and allow her and every corrupt govt official after her to get away with it? If we make the consequence of corruption so shameful (as in Korea and Japan), govt officials might think twice about doing it.
The economy is doing well not because of GMA but because the US economy is down plus of course because of OFW remittances.
Even if the Phil. economy is doing well, why do you think these technocrats support the cause: Jaime Zobel de Ayala (offered sanctuary for Lozada at BPI), Manny Pangilinan (seen at the rally), Jose Cuisia (joined the rally), Ramon del Rosario (joined the rally), etc. etc. etc.
It is because they, like MAJORITY OF THE FILIPINO POPULIATION, want the TRUTH.
GLORIA RESIGN....
Wow. It must've stung, huh? You decided to attack the messenger instead of the message -- much like what you've been doing to the rallyists.
Poor grammar my ass ... hahaha.
Go ahead. Continue working your ass off all of you automatons. The country could use those taxes that come out of your paychecks to pay for the loan kickbacks that these politicians siphon off.
Then again, some of us probably don't pay taxes, huh? Hey, fat ass Celdran (hm, i like the sound of that somehow), do you declare your income? Do you give receipts to the people that go on your tours? C'mmon, 'fess up now ...
And to that anonymous moron who called me a hypocrite, go look up the meaning of 'apathy' and 'cynicism' first before you start blabbering your stupid mouth. Nowhere in my post did I insinuate that Celdran shut the hell up. Man, what a nincompoop.
Carlos.
This notoapathy is a vicious pathetic man who is obviously using any means to get his tired message across. Read the MLQ blog. They are all fit to be tied.
Their ship is sinking and they are all going nuts because of it.
Ignore him. He isn't worth your time.
Yeah. I don't know why I keep thinking of this saying:
Never fight with a pig. You both get dirty and the only one happy is the pig.
I promised that I would stop speaking about this issue because it bores me.
So I will keep my word.
Hey, don't look at me ... I'm not the the pig who's got the big fat ass, hahahaha.
Carlos is afraid to lose his income when the economy dips. After all, who would attend his tours when no tourists will be around to support his trips to Bora.
Wake up gurl...the Conio times are gone. This is the century of the Chinoys and the full-blooded Pinoys.
If there is any hippocrisy around, it is your Nescafe commercial which appeals only to the senses of the Conios who have all lost their colonial wealth anyway.
You know that more negative comments you leave on his blog, the more Carlos likes it. He lives to pizs off people like you. Don't play into his hands.
Ignore his blog. Don't give HIM MORE HITS! Don't make him more popular!
Right on, Carlos. I'm all for speaking one's mind, whether you be for rule of law or against it.
Question is, does the "opposition" believe this too?
Think about it. Over at Camp MLQ3, the echo chamber is divvying up the blogosphere into "for us" and "against us". Fact is, the "opposition" hasn't exactly reached out to convince others who don't think as they do; they're just satisfied with the name calling you can see here.
Apart from the hakot crowds and the usual faces, have they actually broadened the protest base? If they have, I don't see it. Any further growth was stifled by the sight of Erap joining the clamor. Whoops, no thanks.
What a waste of time. What a waste of laway. The election is two years away, and instead of preparing for the elections and fixing the system so we can prosecute Gloria once out of power, the opposition is clamoring for a quick fix. Sayang talaga.
Dear all,
Carlos spoke his mind, and he is entitled to that. If you do not agree with his sentiments, go somewhere else.
All of this is really so why this country is in such a rut. Just because you do not agree with someone's point, you go along hitting on the person.
Be still and let things take its due course. Degrading people just makes you a worse person than your subject.
I am all for the Philippine's progress, and I know for a fact that whether you unseat our current president or not, things will not get any better. We all might as well just do our bit to change this country...like Carlos.
Now, can we just go ahead and do our thing? We all need to make a living in this country and we need to make sure that our means of livelihood is protected, so with the future of our children.
I am posting under my real identity. If any of you have any problems with me, just email me: angkuwago@gmail.com
Benjamin Antonio III (Bubong)
So big of you to apologize and let go of the desperately crazed people on MLQ's blog. I think you were being sarcastic but I don't blame you for apologizing and moving on. There is really no talking to them. I would have given up on these righteous asses as well. They are pikon because you really know how to hit them where it hurts. And judging by th replies of that idiot Noapathy, they have no other answers except pathetic insults. Typical for the anti gloria camp. You are truly a gentleman for not erasing his entries and showing how stupid those B and W people are. I'm so glad you aren't on their side. I used to think MLQ was brilliant but his blog only shows that he has become delusional.
I read sometime ago in the papers calling the BW movement members as the "angry old maids and gays".
I have 2 comments:
1. The BW Movement may be led by "old maids and gays" but who cares? Diversity and inclusiveness are indicators of a strong democratic society.
2. Blog comments are like "letters to the editors". You may like or may not like what others will say.
3. Touching on issues like the color of the skin, sexual preference, or status of the messengers drive us all away from a free and intelligent discussion of the issues.
The Pulse Asia Inc. study, from February 21 to 24,
asked if Metro Manilans would support protest actions calling for the resignation of government officials linked to the NBN scam, 69 percent said yes while 31 percent said no. Of the 69 percent who said yes, 16 percent said they would join the rallies while 53 percent said they won't.
Asked why they were unwilling to join the protests, 26 percent said they had "more important things" to do, another 26 percent said there would be no change in government, 21 percent said they needed to earn a living, seven percent said there was no alternative leader, while six percent said they were "tired" of people power (CELDRAN and Co. belong to this).
Pulse Asia polled 300 Metro Manila residents for the study, which had a margin of error of +/-6 percent and a confidence level of 95 percent.
I believe in the result of survey which are statistically significant than what these blog claims.
I wasn't planning on leaving a comment on this topic, because I don't want to debate the issue in a blog's comment section, and more importantly, I don't want to do it with people who resort to insults and name-calling -- something which those on BOTH sides have been doing.
However, I felt compelled to say something because I was personally offended by some of what I've read above. It's one thing to disagree about whether or not GMA should be booted out, and it's even understandable to call some people in the anti-GMA movement self-righteous, unrealistic, or even deluded. But to say that bad behavior is *typical* of all of them, and to pronounce them all pathetic and stupid is something else. I personally know some of the people behind the Black & White Movement, and I can tell you without any hesitation that they are NOT stupid, or for that matter, "old maids and gays" -- which, even if true, should not be cause for derision. You may not agree with their beliefs or their methods, but they are doing it out of a sincere love for their country; in addition, they all hold down respectable jobs, therefore yes, they DO also contribute to the country's economy. Not one of them is a bum who "has nothing better to do than join rallies." I can also say without any doubt that people like Notoapathy are NOT representative of the B&W Movement, nor of other anti-GMA people like myself. In fact, it makes me sad and angry that he makes our side look so bad with his low blows...but then, you must admit, Carlos, that some of the commenters on your side make your cause look bad, too. ;-)
Let me also make this clear: B&W was not the only organization behind last Friday's rally. They were not even the majority. There were several other forces who had control over it. An agreement had been made beforehand that it would not be a partisan event, and that Erap would not be involved. B&W was as dismayed and furious about Erap's presence there as many of us are. I was at the rally, and each time Erap spoke or was mentioned, we booed him as loudly as we could. B&W has even come out with a statement saying that if Erap speaks at another rally, they would walk out. So, please...before this blog's readers make blanket statements about people they know nothing about, I wish they'd make sure they know the facts.
katrina,
doesn't it just suck when we can't discuss something like Gloria Macapagal Arroyo without emotions getting in the way?
OK, I plead guilty of poking fun at the Black and White movement, and I must admit I've successfully raised "Helga"'s hackles to the point that I've been accused as a member of the Luli Arroyo Internet Brigade.
At the same time, strangely enough, I consider myself as someone who is open to persuasion, assuming the argument is cogent enough.
Put yourself in my shoes: do you have an argument that can convince me? Respect my intelligence: don't think I'm an idiot or a Gloria-bot just because four years of opposition clamoring hasn't changed my mind.
I have trouble processing motherhood statements like "reveal the truth" - I zero in instead on the concrete action points that the opposition seems to propose. Rise up, get Gloria out, change the leadership. Great, but... why? I want to hear a good argument for short-circuiting current constitutional mechanisms and ousting Gloria by another People Power. I also want to hear a plan for what comes next - who is going to lead, what policies are going to be implemented.
And so far, I haven't heard anything that will convince me. I guess Carlos feels the same.
Contrast that with my ideal scenario: I'd like to spend the next two years finding and prepping a good candidate for the next Presidential election (which Manolo and his gang don't believe will happen). I'd also like the opposition to put together a case that will stand in court, not just to the peanut gallery, for the day when Gloria is out of power and can be prosecuted.
What's so bad about that?
I guess if one can convince me that their extra-constitutional solution is better than mine, next time there's a rally, I'll be right there with you. Until then, well, you know.
Even I agree with the basic proposition put forth by the Pulse Asia survey, in a sense - I support the right of people to create protest actions begging Gloria to resign.
However, I don't support revolution, bloodless or otherwise, to get her out. I don't support extra-constitutional means. Good thing the survey doesn't say that most people support such means, right?
Take note, though: the survey only takes account of Metro Manilans' opinions. Speaking as a Davao-born Pinoy, that statistic alone makes me suspicious of using this as any argument supporting Gloria's ouster. I believe a Manila-based revolution to oust a nationwide leader is profoundly undemocratic.
I totally agree with you!I work at GT Tower in Ayala and everytime there is a rally, it just totally turns us off because of the work disruptions, traffic, and worst of all, a negative impact on our blossoming economy.I belong to the working population who regularly gets a tax deduction (monthly),and gets cheated the most by corruption in the government,but instead of taking it out to the streets,we keep ourselves informed and take note of these bad acts to remember come election time,but get back to work,move on and help this country move forward!Everyone wants to be president,it really just sucks.So you're right,unless Makati office-workers,call center agents start leaving their office to march instead of going to the malls,then no people power will be successful.Sawa na kami,tama na to PP!To begin with,all the witness grandstanding and testimonials are not backed up with solid evidence so what's the fuss?Okay, it's terrible,those corruption claims, but majority of politicians are corrupt,or would have done the same or even worse!How did this ZTE issue start anyway? A contractor got pissed because he did not win the contract and blew the whistle?And so the story goes.The important thing is that because democracy is at work, these bad acts are allowed to be exposed and punished.But please, let's just stop crying people power everytime issues like these come up.Let's all move on and wait till the next election for Pete's sake.Move on Philippines!
BINGO. Metro Manila survey.
My cousins down south feel the same way.
Parang you only matter in this country if you manage to make it to the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas. Those who can't get there don't really exist.
I'm not going to fight here. I gave up on this issue na. This is my last statement.
GMA stays till 2010. No point discussing the issue.
ahh my sentiments exactly. while i'd like to hear the governments official side in the ZTE mess, i agree that it has to be in the right forum.
on another note, was just talking to my brother jappy gonzalez who's now in paris(i live here). i mentioned that a weekly program "echappes belles"(beautiful escapes)featured the philippines yesterday. the visuals of manila, sinugbo, cebu were not pretty but coron, pinatubo, bohol were cool. the best part was the intramuros tour featuring..you! pity they identified you as some ramon diaz, tour guide.
mike
"26 percent said they had "more important things" to do, another 26 percent said there would be no change in government, 21 percent said they needed to earn a living, seven percent said there was no alternative leader, while six percent said they were "tired" of people power (CELDRAN and Co. belong to this)."
Um. Actually, I am all of the above.
True, I am most especially the last one but really, I am all of the above also.
Hay naku, these people who make so many assumptions about me. Why don't you guys just ignore me na. I'm doing my best to ignore YOU.
Really, let's just do our own thing and not get in each others hair, and see who wins in the end.
And quite frankly, if you do win and kick her out and create a fabulously corruption free government in the next three years under the helm of Noli de Castro, then I will be the first to congratulate you. Because I'm a gentleman like that.
Tanong ko po: pagkatapos maalis sa posisyon si Arroyo sa kara-rally ng mga tao, ano po ang mangyayari? Ano po ba ang plano ng mga taong balak magpatalsik sa kanya? Sino po ang balak nilang ipalit? Nagkaka-ayon po ba ang plano ng lahat ng mga sektor na sumasali sa mga kilos-protesta? Paano po ba masisiguro na hindi lalong magkakagulo, at sa gitna ng gulo ay bigla na lang lilitaw na bida ang mga taong pareho rin pala ng kulay ng napatalsik na pinuno at sila ring mamumuno sa paraang hindi nalalayo (o mas malala pa) sa pamamalakad ni Arroyo?
Pagkatapos maalis ni Arroyo, ano na?
Sana ang mga yan po ay masagot nang maayos - nang walang halong asim o panlalait o dahil lang sa tulak ng galit.
none of my clan went
i like horse in pantyhose. - ernie
i'm a college student from UP. yes, tibak central.
i refused to go because the so called 'people power' has become just another spectacle- even a joke. i mean how dare they install Erap of all people to the pulpit and speak about- corruption?!?
and besides, i agree with anonymous on the fact that, much as i not want to give gloria the satisfaction of finishing her term, i'm afraid of what will happen if indeed gloria stepped down- we will plunge into a deeper abyss. so much so we might not be able to climb back. not until people have clear platforms will i ever shout for her to resign, but until then i just hope she falls off the grand staircase of malacanang and breaks her neck. and every one else dies of racumin.
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