DAY OF PROTEST

September 23, 2017

By Rafael Alunan III

I protested the Day of Protest because it didn't touch on root issues that we've neglected decade after decade that produced the consequences we suffer from today.

Those are selfishness, greed and exclusion that spawn entitlement and injustice that, in turn, fan arrogance, impunity, abuse, deprivation, poverty, anger and armed conflict.

That Day of Protest focused on personalities, their peccadillos, and on exaggerated wrongdoings. It focused on ouster that ran contrary to the views and sentiments of the supermajority.

My real Day of Protest is every day. While everybody cries out for a better Philippines only a minority are really working to be better Filipinos. The journey has yet to begin. The ship's already rusty.

Service delivery sucks. How many are deprived of the basics for a decent life - education, jobs, livelihood, homes, health care. That says a lot about the quality of governance. Then there's lawlessness, disorderliness and mindlessness.

We now have a captain who knows where to go but doesn't have responsible passengers and a totally dependable crew. He's also handicapped but he's stouthearted and fearless.

The journey to a better life will require sailing through rough seas that will test the worthiness of the ship, crew and passengers to weather the challenges and reach the next port.

Either we sink or sail together. Choose!