A coverage blog of the inauguration of
President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III
June 30, 2010, 9:45 a.m.
Just the night before, President-elect Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III declared that he would not seek, demand, or even make use of special favors accorded to VIPs such as the President. And in keeping with that promise, the AM radios this morning are busy with incredulous reporters describing the strange scene of a President-elect on the way to his inuauguration, waiting for the traffic light at the corner of Araneta and Quezon Avenue to turn green. No doubt, the throng of reporters in the convoy were impatiently cooling their heels, but Noynoy appeared intent on making a point. Neither did his convoy make an illegal left turn to Sta. Mesa, as most VIPs and media vehicles are wont to do. Instead, they took the long route by making a U-turn along Araneta avenue.
Curiously, we came across yet another convoy, a smaller one at that, along Quirino Avenue in Manila. The motorcycle escorts had their sirens ablare, with lights all a-blinker. No doubt a minor functionary on the way to P’Noy’s inauguration. But while the principal paitently waited for his light to turn green, the convoy of this minor functionary jumped lanes and did a counterflow, to the irritation of other motorists. P’Noy has his work cut out for him.
10:15 a.m. Quirino Grandstand
Luneta is again a sea of yellow. Just 11 months ago, hundreds of thousands of people lined Roxas Boulevard, wiping away tears and unfurling yellow banners, as Noynoy’s mother Cory was brought to her final resting place. Complete strangers waved, hugged, and told each other stories of a different time as ships out on the bay sounded out mournfully with their foghorns. Today, the yellow is back, as Cory’s son steps up to the plate. Mediamen estimate the crowd at more than half a million, even as weather forecasters predict an 80 percent chance of precipitation. Students and the youth, those who have the vaguest recollection of Marcos, Cory, or the victory of people power, make up the majority here. But there were also entire families, fathers and mothers who clearly knew what it was like to be afraid to speak up, lifting children on their shoulders and again, telling them stories of a different time that for them had come back.
10:31 a.m. Quirino Grandstand
President-elect Benigno Aquino III arrives at the Quirino Grandstand with outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on board the Presidential limousine. A cheer rises from the crowd as Noynoy steps out of the vehicle. A few minutes later, after she troops the line, outgoing President Arroyo gets into her vehicle and drives off. There is a murmur in the crowd, as the unpopular nine-year rule of Gloria Arroyo came to an end. Then someone begins clapping and cheering, and others join in, and several people from the crowd make known their relief by shouting, “sa wakas” and “goodbye!” It was a moment many in the crowd had waited for, but when the time came, the Filipino virtue (or vice) called hospitality prevented a more obvious outpouring of anger and relief at GMA’s departure.
(apologies for the delayed posting – Smart Bro and Globe Tattoo networks appear clogged)
11:00 a.m. Quirino Grandstand
Familiar faces wow the crowd with familiar songs. Buboy, Danny, and Jim, better known to the pre-Edsa crowd as the Apo Hiking Society, were together again and singing and jiving on the stage. The clincher was Noel Cabangon, singing his signature song Kanlungan (just forget images of that multinational burger chain). Cabangon topped it off with his song “Mabuting Pilipino,” and soon had even the President-elect singing from his seat.
11:50 a.m. Quirino Grandstand
Sky is still overcast, and everyone wonders if the weather will hold, or if the weather bureau has, thankfully, missed its mark again. A shout goes out from the crowd as Noynoy is introduced for his oathtaking. The crowd chants Noynoy, Noynoy, Noynoy! and people crane their necks or rush towards the two huge LED displays to watch as the 15th President of the Republic takes his oath. After that is over, the crowd roars its approval.
Typically, no one really likes listening to inaugural addresses, especially those who have to contend with standing on muddy fields looking for a vantage point to see history in the making. It is, after all, easier to pay attention while watching the speech from your Lazy Boy while holding the remote. But Noynoy, the man many had thought of as lacking the charisma of his father and mother, had at that moment the attention of everyone at the Luneta.
Some excerpts. This is not word-for-word, so please bear with us.
“Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa pwesto? Ako rin!” – a roar of approval
“Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin!” – an even bigger roar from the crowd. One wonders if the functionary who did the traffic counterflow along Quirino Avenue earlier this morning is in this same crowd, biting his tongue.
“Dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa daing ng taumbayan.”
“Dito naman ang umpisa ng kalbaryo ko...” – laughter and clapping
“Sa mga nang api sa akin, pinapatawad ko na kayo. Sa mga nang api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan magpatawad.”
For those who expected a dry and uninspired speech, it was a pleasant surprise. In some ways, it was much like Joseph Estrada’s well-remembered inaugural speech, minus the deliberate theatrics. And, minus the baggage.
12:30 p.m. Quirino Grandstand
The inauguration has ended, a Presidency has begun. A very random sampling from the crowd reveals some interesting stories.
Bobby Dominguez, a driver at the port area, skipped work to bring his entire family to the Inauguration. That includes his wife, and three very small kids, who appear to be between one and four years old. This is an old habit, Dominguez says, having attended other inaugurations in the past. This time, he pins his hopes on Noynoy, a man he voted for in the last elections. Maybe he could give his children a better future than the one he now has.
Another couple with an eight-month old baby. “Noynoy din yan,” the father says of his child.
And finally, two teachers, Marie-Jotess Ragos and Elisa del Rosario from the Pamantasan Lungsod ng Maynila, middle aged yet giggly as school children. “Basta tutulong kami, basta tutulong kami,” they kept muttering their mantra as Ninoy gave his speech.
It was a good way to end an inauguration, and an even better way to start a presidency.
