As Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo shook the hand of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III, darkness waned and a new light shone on a country that has long been denied warmth of day.
Basking in the glory of a landslide presidential win, Aquino took oath as the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines, taking a position that is, as he noted in a campaign speech, destined for him.
He is, after all, born of heroes—the only and namesake son of martial law martyr Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and people power President Corazon Aquino.
After a president whose legitimacy was questioned the moment she assumed office, first by the deposed President Joseph “Erap” Estrada and later by a dogged opposition, Filipinos now look up to a president with the highest mandate from the people in recent history.
After a president whose name elicits rational despise bordering on rabid hatred, we now have a president for whom Filipinos show irrational devotion bordering on blind faith.
Still, the day has just begun.
The sky is breathtaking at dawn with its contrasting hues: light set against the dark. But the same light that astounds in the morning punishes as the day advances, peaking at high noon when it scorches. It might only be loved again when it sets.
Comparing the inauguration of Aquino to the break of dawn is therefore tantamount to saying that the euphoria caused by his election shall not last forever. For six years the self-proclaimed “People’s President” shall be judged as his own man—not as the son of Ninoy and Cory.
It would also be justified to wonder if Aquino holds us at awe simply because Arroyo was demonized—simply because he offers a stark comparison placed beside Arroyo. But for the rest of his term, Aquino shall be known simply as “President Aquino” and not as “far-better-than-the-previous-President Aquino.”
The public adoration for Aquino is inspiring as it reflects a democracy that works. We have a leader who rules by virtue of public consent. But it might set this administration for failure.
And perhaps we should only appreciate the Aquino administration as we would the dawn: calmly and only by stealing short glances. We would be blinded if we stared directly at the sun.
A citizenry blindly devoted to its elected leader is a false democracy: it is one that would work not by check-and-balance but by irrational faith.
Many voted for Aquino on the weak premise that he would not do anything to mar the good names of his parents, making it partly the duty of the Filipino people to ensure that he will live up to that expectation at the very least.
Dawn broke at high noon for the Philippines today. The time has come to wake from dreams.
Image from here.
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