Threat of Flu No Match to Protesters’ Outrage

Published on June 11, 2009

During the simultaneous marches from various assembly points of different groups, employees in their uniforms greeted the protesters, some raising their clenched fists.

By around 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., many employees stood by the sidewalk and listened to the program.

The presence of professionals in the rally was visible. Scientists and engineers from Agham (Samahan ng Nagtataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Sambayanan), environmentalists and indigenous peoples held a noise barrage at the Ninoy Aquino monument during lunch break. They protested the sale of our natural resources and public utilities under the proposed constitutional revision in the House of Representatives.

Faculty members, researchers, students and staff of the University of the Philippines in Diliman issued a statement hours before the Ayala rally. They launched the UPD Community Against Cha Cha and Gloria (UPAC Gloria) in a press conference at the Quezon Hall before joining the multisectoral rally in Ayala.

Members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) were also there.

Performances

Award-winning director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna directed the program during the protest.

As rock bands Datu’s Tribe, The Jerks and The Wuds performed on stage, the youth were banging their heads, some dancing.

The audience was in high spirit when Juana Change and Paquito Yu “debated” on stage. The two characters portrayed by Mae Paner and Gabe Mercado performed a satirical piece, alluding to the railroading of constituent assembly last June 3 in Congress.

A so-called “hall of shame” was presented. The names and a photo mosaic of all pro-the legislators who signed House Resolution 1109 morphed into the face of Arroyo. The mosaic was entitled “Frogs of Gloria,” an allusion to the recently merged administration party Partido Lakas Kampi, nor derisively referred to by the opposition as “palaka,” or frog.

Actor and writer Bibeth Orteza read the “people’s resolution” against constituent assembly. The resolution was “adopted” by the people viva voce – the same way that Arroyo’s allies in Congress passed House Resolution 1109 through a viva voce vote.

The audience was attentive, clapping and shouting whenever delighted all throughout the program. Those who could not see the main stage watched through the video wall. (Bulatlat.com)

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