(Photo by Philip Duquitan of Malaya)
Stolen from the Inquirer. (I don’t have crowd photos because I’m just using a cellphone.I’ll use this just for a few days.)
Businessmen Joey Cuisia, Ramon del Rosario,Jr. and Ricardo Romulo
Josie lichauco and harry roque
In front of the US embassy.
Ellen,
Was the rally held in calm and quiet?
mabuhay kayong mga hindi natakot dumalo! bagama’t marami ang hindi nakarating dahil sa mga barikadang ikinalat ng mga asong turuan ng baliw na nakatira sa malakanyang, napatunayan ng mga ganid na hindi na uubra ang kanilang mga panlilinlang sa sambayanan!
Yes. It was a mass. You know how it is with the Catholic church as the lead organizer.
The instructions were, no banners, no chanting.
I understand some of the leftist groups went to Mendiola afterwards.
The El Shaddai group was just beginning their service when I passed Luneta on my way home.
Oh! So, it wasn’t really a rally in the strict sense but an Ecumenical service of sorts…?
OK, I think it would be good to re-calibrate and call the gathering of the faithful for what it is: a mass for Gloria.
Gloria must be feeling soooo glorified and beatified by the gathering of the faithful praying for her salvation.
Oh, might just as well…after all, it’s Christmas season and no better time than to forgive Gloria for her sins to the people.
But since I am not really religious in the Philippine Catholic sense of the word, I don’t think I am one of those who shall be forgiving of her even if the Pope Benedict asked me to.
I believe even Jesus sends baddies to hell and I do believe Gloria belongs there not in the civilized society of Pinoys.
What more need to be said, the pictures surely provided the answer to our expectation. Yet, the prayers this time is in Luneta. I didn’t notice on the pictures the collection baskets being passed around to the audiences. Anybody seen it?
I would pay almost anything just to see the grin on bogus Gloria’s ugliest. I won’t be surprised if bogus Gloria said to herself, “I did it again”. Whewwww! Am I good or what! People has been out-maneuvered once again. What’s next, I wonder?
In fact, Bishop Lagdameo called it a “thanksgiving mass” which many didn’t really like because the fight is not over.
The church said we have to be thankful that Gloria Arroyo withdrew from Cha-Cha. Ito talagang simbahan ang babaw ng kaligayahan.
But maybe, in a struggle we have to be tolerant of others and be thankful for small blessings.
But I tell you, the tension is very much still there.
At least their still some hope, the lone dog the only one has the courage to brought an political electoral message. May be we should recruit dogs instead? Since they don’t know the difference between prayer rally and political protest. Now got me thinking, I wonder if Assperon arrested the poor dog and charged for sedition and inciting the crowd?
Examing the pictures, I saw this one picture with a woman standing holding on her nose, “this rally stink”. What the heck am I doing here?
I think the PNP got the best looking uniform and well in order. Don’t you think so?
Ellen,
Let me say you are spot on! “Ito talagang simbahan ang babaw ng kaligayahan.”
Yes. As you say, “…in a struggle we have to be tolerant with others and be thankful for small blessings.”
During respite periods, some tortured prisoners of war say lift their eyes to the heavens and say, “Thank heavens for little mercies!”
Maybe, just maybe, as in all “wars” and conflicts, there is a need for a ceasefire. Just that, there’s been more ceasefires than real conflicts where the Philippines is concerned.
CBCP spokesman Msgr. Pepe Quitorio told INQ7.net in a phone interview, “It’s actually the quality of the crowd not the quantity.”
Hahahah!
I wonder what Msgr. Pepe Quitorio meant by “quality of the crowd”.
The last 2 times the masses poured out of the streets in throngs was when Erap was jailed. The 2nd time was the burial of FPJ. Now, what do you guys think would coerce the masa crowd to join rallies and mass actions?
Answer:
A very charismatic leader that is identifiable with them, the masa.
It is a sad reality, but its true! The poor don’t understand cha-cha and wouldn’t care less about it. Gloria’s cheating, lying and stealing doesn’t mean anything to them. “Lahat naman sila sa gobyerno magnanakaw eh, kahit sino pa ang nakaupo” they would say. But if someone they idolize gets hurt or “naagrabyado”, all hell breaks loose! “Laban kung laban, walang iwanan!”
Let me conclude with this, bogus Gloria once again got the best of the people on this round. However, the round ain’t over by a long shot, new year is just around the corner and I hope it will bring a better results for the sake of justice. Holidays are upon us and lets give thanks for the little we’ve and that soon all the Pilipinos will one day find peace and prosperity with legitimate government.
Sino ba si Bill Luz?
Sino ba si Lagdameo or Quitorio na yan?
The masa wouldn’t recognize them if they saw the 2. Pero kapag si Paquiao or si Erap. The masa crowd will surely chant their names in unison.
Aside from check points which prevented people from joining the mass, the CBCP has lost its credibility. The “white envelopes” did the church in. The church now is as impotent as ever and has reverted to the days of the “prailes” and Padre Damaso. I posted this comment in Bishop Lagdameo’s blog.
“Vigilance comes with action. I hope the Catholic Church, with its influence, lead the way. You are the light and the people will follow that light in this hour of darkness.”
I suppose he did not get my point. Tyranny prevails when the people do nothing. The Lord helps those who help themselves the adage says, I suppose the CBCP would like to make martyrs out of us before they move their sorry asses. I’m a Catholic, but the kind of passive behavior by the church would all lead us to slavery than to freedom. Pope John Paul II would not like the image the CBCP projects. I suppose we might as well consider the CBCP as pushing for the status quo than helping its flock.
I feel the anger of many. If the church refuses to lead, then they would be overtaken.
For all we know that’s what is needed.
Don’t you feel a frustration over the church? I feel it.
Looking at the above photos, I notice that the second one from the top where Cory was, there was this woman on the left in yellow covering her face with a fan. Was she covering her face from the sun or from media photographers fearing that she might be recognized by her friends in Malacanang? I’m sure she’s with Cory’s group not only because the woman was wearing yellow; but she was on the same front line with Cory, Jamby, Drilon and other VIPs.
Ellen,
Not only am I frustrated but appalled by their collective gall.
Ellen,
The church finds itself between a rock and a hard place.
Even those who are rabidly pro-Arroyo are attacking the Church’s leadership as witnessed by their comments in quezon’s blog.
To me it’s very telling. I’ve always believed that in these difficult and trying times, anyone possessing the right amount of wisdom or reason cannot sit on the side UNDECIDED.
The Church is UNDECIDED and so instead of uniting its flock for a common cause, it is attacked from all flanks, from opposing camps.
If the Church wants to join the fray, its leadership has to make a committed stand. Either that or they stay away and do what they’re known to do best, pray and preach from the pulpit.
But making a half-committed stand only tends to confuse the flock. In the end, evil goeas about doing what it does best, sowing confusion and terror.
I have long expected that the Sunday rally would just be an ordinary one. I knew that back door negotiation and deals were in progress even before the Con-Ass was dumped. CBCP and the Catholic Church not only lacks credibility; it has lost it. In one of my recent posts, I jokingly mentioned “Christmas envelopes”. I was referring to the white envelopes some bishops received last time in Malacanang. This very low profile rally led by the church only shows that even the church cannot be counted upon these days. This is when the likes of Cardinal Sin is so much missed. Some apologists reasoned that the low profile conducted by the church-led rallies was due to the Christmas season…thanking God and forgiveness. Then, why did they have to gather in Luneta if this was their intention? Why not just attend mass and services in their respective churches? The church knew it was Christmas season. They made so much noise before the rallies with threats and the likes. But when the real fight started, they became mere hypocrites!
One thing I have learned in life is not to be indecisive. It shows weakness. It’s better to make a bad decision than not to make one at all. The Catholic Church has the tendency and history of double-face. They say one thing today, then another thing tomorrow. They say one thing but do the opposite. Now, we can safely say that the CBCP is no different from this evil woman we’re all fighting against. After Cardinal Sin’s death, many thought and expected his protege Bishop Soc Villegas to succeed. But where is Soc today? Not even a word or whisper from this Sin’s closest adviser and loyal helper.
Npongco,
You say that “Looking at the above photos, I notice that the second one from the top where Cory was, there was this woman on the left in yellow covering her face with a fan. Was she covering her face from the sun or from media photographers fearing that she might be recognized by her friends in Malacanang? I’m sure she’s with Cory’s group not only because the woman was wearing yellow; but she was on the same front line with Cory, Jamby, Drilon and other VIPs.”
I do not who the lady was. But, the sun was blaring from the stadium to the crowd below. Many of us in the crowd had to cover our faces with anything to deflect the sun.
She looks like besides Makati Mayor Binay. Could she be Binay’s wife? Anyway, she was the only one covering her face with the fan while others could withstand the sunlight.
Maybe it was just a coincidence when the camera man took a shot at that crowd. Nowadays, we can’t really distinguish real from unreal. That woman could turn out to be Gloria’s comadre. She attended because of another comadre Cory.
Npongco, if I’m not mistaken, I THINK that was Mila Drilon, the wife of Sen. Drilon. Not 100% sure though.
You might be correct. Drilon’s wife is petite and beautiful. Maybe she didn’t want her former Malacanang friends to see her in the crowd. Many wives of those who left GMA might still be in good terms with GMA and those in Malacanang. Wives are sometimes the conduit between two opposing forces. Let’s not forget that politicians like Drilon are politicians first and foremost. Hence, it is to their benefit and advantage that they don’t totally cut their line with their enemies…and wives are good channels to act as in between.
Ellen:
Thanks for posting the pictures. Nakakataba ng puso as a matter of fact. It is a good crowd indeed! Now let’s wait for heaven to hear their prayers!
Looking and watching the front rows of course is always a good crowd. It would be better if there was an aerial view taken by helicopter above to see how big the crowd was.
ipinakita kanina sa video footage ng ANC news(10PM) kung papaano pinrotektahan ni Senator Drilon ang mga nagmamartsa papuntang Luneta laban sa mga humaharang na pulis.
Nakakapagtaka na dapat ang binabantayan o pinoprotektahan ng ating kapulisan ay ang taumbayan na naghahayag ng kanilang pagkadismaya sa mala-sindakatong pamamahala ng mag-asawang arroyo.
Kung inyong mapapansin sa picture sa itaas, na binabantayan ng kapulisan ang US Embassy. Kumpleto pa sa shield at mga truncheon na pamukpok ng kapwa nila pilipino! NAKAKATAKOT!
Lalong matutuwa ang US State Department nyan, dahil nasa Amerika ang loyalty ng kapulisan at hindi sa mga Pilipino.
totoo nga na ang kakampi ng mga pulis ay hindi ang taumbayan kungdi ang mga sindikato lalo na ang nasa malakanyang!
So what if rally participants is less than 500,000? The message of disapproval of Arroyo is clearly conveyed by the 150,000 people who were there. Let’s not fall into the line of Malacañang of belittling the rally.
The church should be taken to task for helping dampen the people’s outrage. But let’s not belittle the rally itself.
Nelbar:
Diyan mo makikita ang klase ng brainwashing sa mga pilipino. Sa Japan, kapag nagra-rally kami sa gobyerno namin na walang kinalaman sa America, hindi kami dumadaan sa US Embassy na palaging may bantay as a matter of fact dahil hindi lang naman mga hapon ang galit sa mga kano lalo na dito sa Japan na may mga komunistang intsik, koreano at russo.
Kaya iyan din ang dapat na mabago. Forget about changing the attitude of the Great Switik. Nakalakihan na niyan ang mga kawalanghiyaan niya at saka matanda na iyan, hindi na iyan magbabago.
Siguro naman ang talagang ibig sabihin noon paring ipokrito, ay bumaba na si Great Switik kung hindi siya magbabago!
I would not like to be harsh on him as a matter of fact. Diyos na ang bahalang magparusa sa kaniya kung nangloloko siya!
TULOY ANG LABAN! NEVER GIVE UP SABI NGA! PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA! Ako? Naghihintay ako ng miracle na alam kong darating!
“Don’t you feel a frustration over the church?” Very much, Ellen! I spent 10 years of my life as a religious. More or less I know how it works. Sad to say, only a few of the numerous congregations are directly involved with the people. If i look at them now, I feel not only frustrated but disgusted as well, especially, over some bishops I previously worked with, who just ignore what this fake president has been doing to the country.
Let’s not belittle the church for shepherding its flock. What we got here is a gathering of sheep.
CBCP has buckled under intimidation threats of glue’s sidekicks. CBCP flocks chose to inherit the earth due the meek, because the militants who chose to inherit the earth go six feet under. Appeasement, however, is delivering the goods to glue on a silver platter.
RE: A very charismatic leader that is identifiable with them, the masa.
Who???? Susan Roces or Jojo Binay. ??????
If Susan Roces becomes the uniting force in the likes of Sonia Ghandi, i.e., not join the political arena as a candidate for public office, then you’ve got your charismatic leader.
If she does it that way, the Sonia Ghandi way, she will be one thumping force to reckon with.
Gloria, step aside – you’ll be overrun in 60 seconds flat!!!
You’re pointing at the right person, Anna. Susan Roces could be it. Hopefully, she’ll do it without entering politics! The Filipinos need one charismatic leader very badly!
In a sentence, can anyone say if the ‘church’ ever made a confession to being wrong to the people of this country by assisting in puuting this evil woman in power. This woman thinks if the ‘church’ assisted to put her there and have no intention of confessing their wrongs and silence (flip flop) for the past six years then why should she. Its about time the ‘church’ apologised to the country for there assisting this evil woman to gain, and allow, all this power (confession is an apology).
Nelbar said the PNP was protecting the US Embassy not the people. Are you all now not convinced that only Uncle Sam’s consent is lacking and missing before Gloria can be ousted? Yes. Many of you just don’t see or refuse to see the missing factor; that is, US-CIA. And to Elvira, you’re not alone in feeling frustrated about the Catholic Church. Many were and are…that’s why more and more are leaving to join other religious groups.
And where were El Shaddai’s much publicized millions of members?
npongco{
Maybe the main missing ingrediant is not having a credible opposition leader acceptable by the USA. There has been Cory, Ramos and the not so credible Arroyo, but they were recognised leaders. We don’t have an opposition leader let alone know it they would be regarded as credible. Its the first step, find a credible opposition leader willing to lead this country out of this mess.
Anna:
Susan Roces is an excellent choice to lead this country out of this mess, but would she volunteer. There’s a saying that goes something like, one volunteer is better than a hundred forced to do it.
But a credible leader is the first priority for sure.
The US doesn’t care if the next leader is good or credible. What they only care is if this leader would continue to protect America’s interest in the country. So far, there’s no reason for Uncle Sam to drop Gloria because she’s still of great help to the US. Yes, even if this Gloria is the worst leader. As I write, thousands of GIs are in Mindanao and more are coming. America’s business and military interests are well protected. If the US protected a known drug lord Gen. Noriega of Panama for 20
years, why can’t they protect GMA for another 10 years…until she has become a liability to the US. When the day comes that she is already useless to the US, we can wake up to find another leader without firing a shot.
All the more reason to ignore thr USA because for the people of this country it is important that they have a credible opposition leader. If your right in saying that ‘the USA doesn’t care if the next leader is good or credible’ then if they are really supporting GMA’s actions then to hell with the USA.
Its time for the Philippines to stand on its own, electing a credible leader they want, without the interference of the USA. Doing what the people feel is right would be a sign that this country is becoming mature at last.
When the judge insisted on custody of the US serviceman found guilty of rape on a citizen citizen, it was a sign that this country is becoming mature. It shocked the USA.
In fact, as we know, it shocked the DofJ and the rest of this corrupt government!
should have read ‘filipino citizen’ not ‘citizen citizen’ hahahehe
As we discuss about the US’s role and her influence on our political and econimic affairs, there’s report that the US is exerting tremendous pressure on GMA to release the rapist Smith or let the US take custody of him.
Diego K. Guerrero said 2006 at 4:01 am: “RE: A very charismatic leader that is identifiable with them, the masa. Who???? Susan Roces or Jojo Binay. ??????”
Susan Roces became very vocal and visible last year in the efforts to remove GMA from office, she and Cory even joined forces at some point and marched together, but to no avail. She didn’t automatically inherit the masa’s popular support for Erap and FPJ.
If we are to go by recent surveys, Pulse Asia’s Nov 2006 survey on senatorial preferences has Loren Legarda in the top position. She was FPJ’s running mate in 2004, so some of his masa support probably rubbed on her, plus she seems to be acceptable to a large portion of the middle class as well.
So far though, Loren hasn’t been in the forefront of the anti-GMA efforts, preferring instead to concentrate on her electoral complaint against Noli. By the way, what’s the latest news about that?
I’ve not heard any good reason yet as to why the Philippines should give up custody of this convicted rapist. Because he’s American is not a good enough reason.
pinoy_gising ( I like that handle – smile)
Loren is a very good choice of opposition leader, but whoever it is must not only be credible but volunteer to lead this country out of the many problems GMA made..
There are many good, credible men and women capable to lead just given the chance and support by the people.
we-will-never-learn, thanks for appreciating my handle, hehe, I also use this in MLQ’s blog.
I agree. Though Loren wouldn’t be my first choice, I don’t have vigorous objections against her either. I would like to see her try to unite the opposition to Arroyo as well, especially since she has managed to maintain her popularity. We have to admit that political reality necessitates someone not only capable, but popular as well. Loren seems to be the perfect compromise.
I’m not sure too why she has opted for a low-profile in the anti-GMA efforts, it probably has something to do with the dynamics of her pending electoral protest.
If she decides to run for senator in May 2007, then the Supreme Court would probably junk her protest as moot and academic. That’s what happened to Miriam before. Maybe then, Loren might finally decide to be at the forefront of the opposition to this despicable administration.
Very true. If Loren decides to run again as Senator, her election protest would be considered void and moot. That’s what happened to Miriam Santiago when she ran for Senator while her election protest against FVR was pending. But if Loren decides to continue with the protest and not run, what does she benefit even if she finally wins the case? By then, Noli de Castro would have already completed his term as Vice President. Same is true with Erap if he’s acquitted. If he’s acquitted of plunder which was the basis for his ouster, then Gloria’s first three years of office were illegal. But by the time the final verdict is given, Gloria would have also completed all her terms including the last one she cheated. That’s the problem with such election protest. It’s very unfair to the one who filed the complaint and protest. The cheaters are allowed to remain in power while the cases are pending. Unfair, unfair…but that’s the law! It is for this reason that sometimes instead of using the legal process, a coup or People Power is the best option.
Anna, Susan is really not interested in politics.
Susan must make the supreme sacrifice even if she’s not interested in politics. Cory was at first not interested; but she later agreed to lead the people in ousting Marcos. Why can’t Susan do the same? It’s not the time to think about one’s personal belief and opinion. It’s high time that someone like Susan unites the opposition and leads the people in ousting this Gloria. Once she’s ousted, Susan could go back to her private life. Is it too much of a request, Susan? Think about the people’s sufferings…think about our poor country.
we-will-never-learn Says:
December 18th, 2006 at 9:20 am
All the more reason to ignore thr USA because for the people of this country it is important that they have a credible opposition leader.
***We or America can ignore you but we cannot ignore America. Anyway, we’re so dependent on the US that to ignore them would be like suicide. US doesn’t need us but we need them. Learn to accept this fact no matter how painful. Who do you think you are to say that (ignore)?
Anna,
Susan may not like politics, but she is willing to be the force to unite the Filipinos. Ang kaso takot siya sa mga balimbing! Read her lips and you will know what she really feels.
FYI, under threat siya. Ayaw niyang gawan siya ng tsismis gaya ng ginawa sa kaniyang asawa. But if she is sure that Filipinos will be 100 percent behind her, she will be willing to led them, and then step aside for one worthy enough to lead and help lift up the Philippines from the gutter where the Great Switik has dumped her (the Philippines)! That was what she actually said in a televised interview, “Umpisahan ninyo, tatapusin ko!”
Iyan ang tunay! Mabuhay ka Mrs. Ronald Allan Kelly Poe!!!
Yuko,
Re: “But if she is sure that Filipinos will be 100 percent behind her, she will be willing to led them, ”
Yikes, that’s a difficult one. Can’t be Filipinos 100% behind her coz Gloria is there. The liliput sized moral dwarf commands a sizeable chunk of that 100%.
That’s precisely why a gargantuan effort by no less a superstar is required not only to errode Gloria’s base but also because 100% is never certain in that land of ours with 7,120 islets.
Pero tama ka rin Yuko, she couldn’t be more explicit when she said “Umpisahan ninyo, tatapusin ko!”
I guess, there’s that possibility that she could lead the opposition and do a Sonia Ghandi but if I were her I wouldn’t even contemplate running for office if she one day decides to lead because that act could puncture her defences.
Ate Anna, siguro ang ibig sabihin ni Manang Susan ay “Umpisahan ninyo, kakapusin ako.” Siguro kinapos lang sa pera at salita si Susan.
This time, I appreciate Ystakei’s agreement with my opinion about Susan. Susan is not simply a force to unite the people; but a very strong force that will unite even the most stubborn opposition groups. She can unite FPJ-Erap group with that of Lacson and even the Marcos loyalists. Compared to Cory, Susan is not tainted by even the most minor scandal throughout her life and career. If she doesn’t want to be the future president, she can unite all the groups and pick a new leader. Most if not all will respect her. Better still, I wish she would run as Senator.
Puro bola yata si Ponga ngayon sa isa. Kapag ganyan ang nakikita natin, talagang babagsak na si tiyanak. Sige, maglambingan pa uli kayo para mainggit si tiyanak at tuloy-tuloy siya sa sementeryo.
artsee, bow ka na lang. siguro mas maige kung ikaw ay makikiayon na lang para wala kayong pinag-aawayan.