Tag: philippines

Luneta and EDSA Roar: People Power Rises Again

History stirs when silence breaks—today’s crowds prove power still lives in the streets.

Sunday, 21 September 2025

Today, the streets spoke. At Luneta (Rizal Park), the protest called “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon” flooded the park with people. Police said 49,000, organizers claimed 80,000—either way, it was a sea of students, retirees, church leaders, and civic groups refusing to stay quiet.

At the EDSA People Power Monument, the “Trillion Peso March” gathered about 3,500 in white, demanding answers on flood control funds gone missing. Some voices went further, calling for the President himself to step down.

Most of the day stayed peaceful, though 17 were arrested near Malacañang after clashes with police. Airspace over Luneta and EDSA was locked down. By afternoon, Luneta groups were already moving toward Mendiola, carrying the anger closer to power.

Luneta and EDSA weren’t random choices—they’re symbols, ghosts of history reminding us that people power doesn’t die, it waits.

What Might Come Next

• Investigations will go deeper—Senate hearings, Ombudsman probes, audits that could expose more dirt.

• Government may react with promises of reform, new oversight, or just tighter control.

• Officials under fire could be forced to answer, resign, or face trial.

• Budgets may be frozen or redirected while flood control projects fall under heavy scrutiny.

• Momentum could spill into more protests, louder online movements, and wider calls for change.

What Might Go Wrong

• The investigations might stall and end up as another cycle of hearings without results.

• Promised reforms could stay as words on paper with no real change on the ground.

• Corrupt officials might escape accountability, dragging the issue until the public moves on.

• The energy of today’s protest could fade without follow-through, turning a historic show of strength into just memory.

• The moment may be co-opted by politics, where noise replaces genuine reform.

What happened at Luneta and EDSA today is more than just a protest. It’s a reminder that corruption will always spark resistance, and that the spirit of people power is never truly silent.

The challenge now is whether this energy can be turned into lasting change—or if it will fade into another moment lost to history.

ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ

The High Cost of Free School

Free tuition sounds like victory. But for many students, hidden costs and harsh realities still keep them out of school.

Why Some Students Don’t Enroll Even When Public School Is Free

“Free already, yet they still refuse.”

That’s what teachers, principals, and even parents often say. In public schools, tuition is free from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Sounds like a win, right? But still, millions are not enrolling.

Here’s why—it’s not as simple as refusing.

• It’s Free… But Not Really

Tuition is free, yes. But students still need to cover transport fare, lunch, school supplies, uniforms, projects, and printouts. For low-income families, that cost is already overwhelming.

• They Have to Work

Many high school students choose work over class—farming, construction, stores, or anything that brings immediate cash. Survival comes first. Education can wait, or sometimes… never happen.

• They Feel Left Behind

The pandemic disrupted everything. Without gadgets, internet, or help with modules, many fell behind. Now they think, “Should I return? What if I am the weakest one there?” That fear alone keeps them away.

• School Is Too Far

Some students live hours away on foot, with no jeepney, no bike, no ride. If it rains or the heat becomes unbearable, they skip school. Eventually, they drop out completely.

• They’re Not Learning Anyway

Some schools lack resources—no books, no laboratories, no real support. Teachers give their best, but it is still not enough. Students then ask, “Why attend if I’m not truly learning?”

• It’s Too Hot

Classrooms often reach 40°C. No fans, no proper ventilation. Just sweat and stress. Some faint, others stop going altogether. This isn’t laziness—it’s exhaustion from extreme heat.

• They Gave Up During the Pandemic

Many became disconnected and never returned. For them, school now feels optional. Worse, they believe it is already too late to go back.

So… What Now?

If we want students to return, free tuition alone is not enough.

We need:
• Free transport, food, and school supplies
• Catch-up classes for those who fell behind
• Climate-ready classrooms with proper ventilation and design
• More guidance counselors and student support teams
• Real opportunities for learners who must also work

At the heart of it:
Make school free, yes. But also—make school possible, livable, and truly for everyone.

And for those who can go to school: be grateful. Millions long to study but never get the chance. If you have a seat, even just enough for fare and snacks—don’t waste it.

Use what you have. Make it count. That is enough.

ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ