What is people power?

Last February 25, the Filipino people (or a good number, at least) commemorated the 19th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA Revolution, where

for three days, men, women and children filled the streets of EDSA holding on frail hope. For those brief moments, they feared for their security, their lives, their future.
…
From above, the citizens of Manila resembled ants swarming on the entire stretch of EDSA. Most of the streets were blockaded and trees were cut down to serve as makeshift anti-tank barricades. Curious civilians climbed the 25-ft. light posts to have a glimpse over the crowd. Along the curbs, women attended to the thirsty, hungry and the weary. Men stood vigilant and served as perimeter guards just in case loyalist troops decided to attack. Priests and nuns prayed and comforted people as they made their way through the population with rosaries at hand.

Come 2001, the Filipino people (again, quite a good number, at least—I cannot say “all” nor “most” ) expressed discontent with the reigning administration, with “EDSA II,” the fateful few days that

… had all the makings of democracy on the hoof: protesters, rousing speeches, People Power—just like the glorious revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos so dramatically, and virtually bloodlessly, nearly 15 years [before]. The emotion of the moment carried the day, and one felt cynical questioning the motives of the people or the alleged corruption of departed President Joseph Estrada.

EDSA I was sparked by revolutionary military officers’ dissent, and fueled by AM radio broadcasts. EDSA II started through SMS (text messages) circulating and being forwarded, encouraging people to go to EDSA and join the protest rallies (I was one of those who came, and partook in the shouting, praying, singing, in the sweltering heat).

While AM radio has mass appeal, and while texting is very much commonplace in this country, 2004 was the year of the blog (in the U.S.). I surely hope 2005 will usher in the same fondness for “personal publishing” here in the Philippines. And by this time, we have seen quite a number of “revolutions” brought about by blogs and bloggers. And I quote Bong R. Osorio’s article in yesterday’s edition of the Philippine Star:

People power is necessarily supported by the fourth estate, the press. We have seen the same formula in popular uprisings in South America and Africa. Mass media documents the events that spur popular opinion, records the public sentiment and clamor for change, and later, notes the action taken by the masses towards a resolution. In this instance, the press acts as a conduit for recording and reporting events to the public, and as a filter, where journalists voice their opinion and, in turn, mold other people’s opinion.
…
Just last year, the celebrated news anchor of CBS, Dan Rather, stepped down after having admitted that an expose he made about US President


George W. Bush’s military record came from tainted and unreliable sources. That development, according to CNN, arose from the indefatigable efforts of bloggers, who refuted Rather’s claims and brought into question the veracity of his reports.

Hence, a new breed of “mass media” is on the rise. It cannot be denied that blogs may one day be the dominant media, especially with the advantage of anytime, anywhere reporting, and the ability of “personal publishers” to voice out their opinions, unadulterated and uninfluenced by the big media moguls. Never mind the debate involving responsible journalism and veracity/accuracy of reports (even Dan Rather of CBS had been victim to fabricated information/documents). Never mind the fact that most bloggers are unknowns. What’s important is that blogging has grown to represent journalism at its rawest form. Further quoting from Mr. Osorio’s article,

While Filipinos may comprise a tiny minority of these so-called “personal publishers,” the potential for blogs to influence national and global developments cannot be ignored.
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Blogging is threatening to redefine journalism. “Media is no longer controlling the agenda,” commented a news reporter interviewed on CNN.


Bloggers are able to push issues into the mainstream, and thereby, catch full media attention. What would otherwise have been issues, which would have fizzled out for lack of public awareness, gains momentum when bloggers embark on their web-based crusade. Everyone who can keep a journal becomes a journalist and a publisher.“

The writer makes the following conclusion:

In a country where problems are resolved through press releases and premature announcements, blogging and all its related varieties may, finally, give voice to Juan de la Cruz who has been frustrated by lack of conviction by government to help the plight of the common tao. Next time around, EDSA may take place in a virtual environment, where neither guns nor tanks can stop or advance the cause of people power.

How true! I have come to know the Arroyo administration (both the first and this current one) as one that is fond of press releases, and often without the corresponding appropriate action. Hence, blogs, in the right Pinoy hands, would be the best weapon to combat this inaction.

People power, anyone?

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