By Philip Suzara
Pondering… as I sit here at the edge of my mythical life pond.
One can see many things happening at the edge of life’s pond, as in any pond. Decisions are made there, life changing decisions, defining moments… to get in the pond, or not. The pond is encircled by its edges in different forms and kinds: straight, jagged, rough, rocks, pebbles, sand, soil, or mud. Very much like people. No matter the differences we have, we all belong there… around the life pond, inside, outside, at the edge, but there.
The evening after VP Leni filed her COC at the Comelec, a lot of universities and colleges and even some privately owned buildings in Metro-Manila as well as those in some provinces were lit and swathed in Leni’s pink.
Similarly, last Saturday’s event for VP Leni Robredo was yet another remarkable and phenomenal response from the people in the opposition’s history. We saw a widespread and spontaneous outpouring of support from volunteers she has been attracting -- coming from all walks of life and ages.
We witnessed people joining in many kilometric caravans on land and water flotillas in different cities and provinces, many others were watching and cheering on the sidelines and on the coastlines. The participants mounted these activities all on their own; gathering friends to join them, producing their own posters, placards, confettis, dressing up their vehicles in gaiety -- cars, jeeps, pick-ups, trucks, boats and bancas, motorcycles, scooters, tricycles, bicycles, even their carabaos and their pets that joined motorcades in various places. It will be heartwarming to note that, in almost the same manner, this has been replicated in different magnitudes by our patriotic kababayans, in other countries.
The motorcades and flotillas were festive and, definitely, a sight to behold. And surely, this was a much needed boost to our sagging hopes for a brighter tomorrow. The country was awash in pink, and yes, surely there is hope for us Juans and Juanas!
While there was, in the late 70s, a similar public clamour by way of the historic April 6 noise barrage in support of the opposition IBP candidates against those of the despot’s from KBL, it was for the whole LABAN team. This time, however, it was solely in support of one person -- our VP Leni Robredo. Surely, that was really phenomenal!
Sincerely, I also believe we’ll be seeing more of this groundswell with
So much of our hopes are pinned on her candidacy. The nation is so desperately desirous of a much needed break and relief from this hellish situation we are in. With all the struggles from the hardships and difficulties, the threats to our civil liberties, the EJKs, the scandalous corruption while taking advantage of the health crisis caused by the government’s delayed and inept response, the assaults on our moral compass.
I would consider these recent events as milestones in our latest saga towards liberation, the signs are hopeful. And, I can almost smell victory!
Here’s looking forward to a rosy life.
Let me now treat you to this wonderful and iconic French song by Edith Piaf, written in 1945, “La Vie En Rose”, which literally translates to Life in Pink. Let your mind drift away with the song, play around with the words, think of Leni, think of the people, think of the country, think of the coming elections, and finally, think of a Life in Pink!
“La Vie En Rose”
Eyes that gaze into mine, A smile that is lost on his lips— That is the unretouched portrait Of the man to whom I belong. When he takes me in his arms And speaks softly to me, I see life in rosy hues. He tells me words of love, Words of every day, And in them I become something. He has entered my heart, A part of happiness Whereof I understand the reason. It’s he for me and I for him, throughout life, He has told me, he has sworn to me, for life. And from the things that I sense, Now I can feel within me My heart that beats. In endless nights of love, A great delight that comes about, The pains and bothers are banished, Happy, happy to die of love. When he takes me in his arms And speaks softly to me, I see life in rosy hues. He tells me words of love, Words of every day, And in them I become something. He has entered my heart, A part of happiness Whereof I understand the reason. It’s he for me and I for him, throughout life, He has told me, he has sworn to me, for life. And from the things that I sense, Now I can feel within me My heart that beats.
I am once again pumped up with fervor and hope for our future. Soon, we will all be looking at life through rose-colored glasses!
Pondering, as I sit here at the edge of life’s pond.
Philip Suzara
Creature of God. Child of the Universe. Global Citizen. Lover of Life. Freedom Fighter. Agent of Change. Lone Wolf. Occasional Consultant for Strategic Communications.
