Footnote to a dream

Footnote to a dream AS expected, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo disparaged it. “The Philippines,” she said in her presumably last appearance at the rites—don’t get fooled, it ain’t over until the 4’11” lady sings—“has come a long way since 1986. We regained our freedom and want our national pride, but somewhere along the way we became complacent. People Power gained a partisan meaning that started to divide the nation once more.”

She repeated her favorite mantra: “The world embraced Edsa 1 in 1986. The world tolerated Edsa 2 in 2001. The world will not forgive an Edsa 3.” Ungrateful to the last. But it’s not without its amusing aspect, especially the part about the world tolerating Edsa 2. That’s pushing it a little too far, and draws attention to the heart of the matter. As every man, woman, or beast in this country knows, the world did not tolerate Edsa 2, it tolerated her.

Filipinos mounted Edsa 1 because of Cory, Filipinos mounted Edsa 2 in spite of Gloria. If Filipinos had been made to understand they were risking life and limb to make Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo president, they would just have planted camote (a favorite expression of teachers in my time), which would have helped to provide for the Biblical seven years of want (10 in this case), which did come with her. Or want as Elizabeth Ramsey used to say (still in my time), “magapatuka na lang ako sa ahas.”