Noynoy Aquino is My President

Early December of last year was the first time I heard Noynoy Aquino deliver his stump speech. I’ve been listening to him rather frequently since and not once have I heard him declare that he was maka-Dios (Pro God), maka-Bayan (Pro Country), or maka-Tao (Pro People). It is a testament to the integrity and honesty of this man that he will always allow the listeners to draw their own conclusions based on the example of his life.

There are no lofty promises in his speeches, no grand visions, only a simple pledge that he will remain true and honest. That through how he has lived his life, he will make us understand that it is up to you and me and the entire nation to pick ourselves up from all the injustice and poverty swirling everywhere.

I wish that one day there will be a documentary that will show the crowds, that will capture the spontaneous outpouring of love and support from Filipinos everywhere, willing to stand in the summer heat for hours just to catch a glimpse of a symbol of hope and change in a nation of fundamentally good people perpetually surviving under horrible conditions.

Last week we were in Pampanga, atop a float and for miles, people lined the path of the motorcade. Many waved yellow banners and flags, some held mangoes and other similarly colored objects like pieces of foam mattresses to signify their solidarity. Not once throughout the campaign was food distributed, money handed over or professional entertainment provided. During one particular bend, where the crowd was spectacularly thick, and hope hung especially heavy, I told Senator Aquino he couldn’t let all these people down.

His reply made me absolutely certain Senator Benigno Aquino III had become transformed into the leader our country critically needs. He said everything would pass but that he was putting his life on the line and do his best to make sure all these people would not be disappointed.

If I could put in a suggestion to the documentary, I would end with the image of the float wending its way through the multitudes and while fading, a voice recites from General Patton: "For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."