People Power Advice #2: Martyr
Frank A. Hilario
June 12, 2009
Revised 13 June 2009. The original short essay Advice #1 of 09 June has expanded into 7 different short essays uploaded separately – after suddenly yesterday I wanted to dramatize the phenomenon called People Power in distinct contrast with what Imperial Manila is now trying to raise to the nth power. The series is really my way of saying, 'Good luck! For People Power, you need more than good luck.'
People Power Advice #1: Charismatic Leader
People Power Advice #2: Martyr
People Power Advice #3: Challenger
People Power Advice #4: Love
People Power Advice #5: Systems
People Power Advice #6: Enlightenment
People Power Advice #7: Theory & Practice
REMEMBER NINOY AQUINO?
Before People Power could ever happen in 1986, in the Philippines, where it all started, there was a martyr: Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr, would-be President of his country. That was a long, long time ago, 1983. From his self-exile in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States, he came back to his country and he was going to be an angel of peace; he died in the hands of the enemies of peace in his own country. There are always enemies of peace.
In 1986, Cory Aquino could rally the people behind her because she had been the long-suffering wife of Ninoy the Martyr. Martyrdom rubs on you. We have martyrs of all kinds.
In fact, we need martyrs of all kinds. That is to say, if you want another People Power, are you willing to consider another martyr to arouse the sentiments of the Filipino people? It could be you.
The problem with martyrdom is the martyr.
Who would be willing? I don't think anybody would volunteer. Ninoy Aquino was one of a kind; the last time we had a martyr was in 1896, 113 years ago. Rearrange 1896 and you have 1986. We will have to wait another 100 years? I don't think anybody would have the courage of our National Hero, Jose Mercado Rizal, who never wavered in his decision to keep his appointment with death at the hands of the Spaniards, if it would come to that. It did. He had many opportunities to escape to another, safe country, but he decided that to be a martyr was the price he would pay for the sake of his people. He was one in a million.
Then again, consider this: 'The tyrant dies and his rule is over,' says Soren Kierkegaard, 'the martyr dies and his rule begins.' Historically, martyrdom is more potent when the martyr's blood is spilled against tyranny or dictatorship. But if you're not Jose Mercado Rizal of Calamba, Laguna, you would not volunteer to be the martyr!
Yet, Napoleon Bonaparte says it differently: 'It is the cause and not the death that makes the martyr.' That means that the martyr is important, but the cause is more important; otherwise, the cause dies with the martyr.
Now then, in the Philippines today, in Imperial Manila, perhaps the problem is not who is willing to be the martyr but to find the unifying cause to rally people for People Power 3. And I firmly believe that being commonly against someone or something is enough to summon people to a common position but not enough to unify them into a common proposition. In the present case, how many want to be President of his country? Raise your hands! Bro Eddie, Bro Mike, Noli De Castro, Francis Escudero, Joseph 'Erap' Estrada, Loren Legarda, Manuel Roxas, Manuel Villar whoever. Well, they can be All for One, but never One for All. So, another alternative, please!
Forget the martyr.
REMEMBER CHINO ROCES?
He was the one who solicited 1 million signatures to convince Cory Aquino to run as a candidate for President against Ferdinand E Marcos.
So where's the new Chino Roces who will solicit 2 million signatures for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, GMA to step down from office? GMA is the least of your problems! Today, at the Age of the Internet, there are 2 problems with signatures like those. One is that each signature will have to be verified, 2 million, and that will take forever. Two is that you need the charisma and credibility of another Chino Roces to collect the signatures in the first place.
Forget Chino Roces.
People Power Advice #1: Charismatic Leader
People Power Advice #2: Martyr
People Power Advice #3: Challenger
People Power Advice #4: Love
People Power Advice #5: Systems
People Power Advice #6: Enlightenment
People Power Advice #7: Theory & Practice
REMEMBER NINOY AQUINO?
Before People Power could ever happen in 1986, in the Philippines, where it all started, there was a martyr: Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr, would-be President of his country. That was a long, long time ago, 1983. From his self-exile in Boston, Massachusetts in the United States, he came back to his country and he was going to be an angel of peace; he died in the hands of the enemies of peace in his own country. There are always enemies of peace.
In 1986, Cory Aquino could rally the people behind her because she had been the long-suffering wife of Ninoy the Martyr. Martyrdom rubs on you. We have martyrs of all kinds.
In fact, we need martyrs of all kinds. That is to say, if you want another People Power, are you willing to consider another martyr to arouse the sentiments of the Filipino people? It could be you.
The problem with martyrdom is the martyr.
Who would be willing? I don't think anybody would volunteer. Ninoy Aquino was one of a kind; the last time we had a martyr was in 1896, 113 years ago. Rearrange 1896 and you have 1986. We will have to wait another 100 years? I don't think anybody would have the courage of our National Hero, Jose Mercado Rizal, who never wavered in his decision to keep his appointment with death at the hands of the Spaniards, if it would come to that. It did. He had many opportunities to escape to another, safe country, but he decided that to be a martyr was the price he would pay for the sake of his people. He was one in a million.
Then again, consider this: 'The tyrant dies and his rule is over,' says Soren Kierkegaard, 'the martyr dies and his rule begins.' Historically, martyrdom is more potent when the martyr's blood is spilled against tyranny or dictatorship. But if you're not Jose Mercado Rizal of Calamba, Laguna, you would not volunteer to be the martyr!
Yet, Napoleon Bonaparte says it differently: 'It is the cause and not the death that makes the martyr.' That means that the martyr is important, but the cause is more important; otherwise, the cause dies with the martyr.
Now then, in the Philippines today, in Imperial Manila, perhaps the problem is not who is willing to be the martyr but to find the unifying cause to rally people for People Power 3. And I firmly believe that being commonly against someone or something is enough to summon people to a common position but not enough to unify them into a common proposition. In the present case, how many want to be President of his country? Raise your hands! Bro Eddie, Bro Mike, Noli De Castro, Francis Escudero, Joseph 'Erap' Estrada, Loren Legarda, Manuel Roxas, Manuel Villar whoever. Well, they can be All for One, but never One for All. So, another alternative, please!
Forget the martyr.
REMEMBER CHINO ROCES?
He was the one who solicited 1 million signatures to convince Cory Aquino to run as a candidate for President against Ferdinand E Marcos.
So where's the new Chino Roces who will solicit 2 million signatures for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, GMA to step down from office? GMA is the least of your problems! Today, at the Age of the Internet, there are 2 problems with signatures like those. One is that each signature will have to be verified, 2 million, and that will take forever. Two is that you need the charisma and credibility of another Chino Roces to collect the signatures in the first place.
Forget Chino Roces.
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