YELLOW FEVER STRIKES BACK

On a humid afternoon, lovers of democracy and loyalists of the famous Yellow Friday gathered up enthusiastically at the Davao International Airport to await the arrival of the son of the late former President Corazon Aquino and Philippine national hero Ninoy Aquino. Liberal Party standard bearers Senator Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III and Senator Mar Roxas together with their topnotch senatoriables arrived in Davao City last April 9, 2010 to speak before thousands of Davaoenos convening at Roxas Avenue for the grand rally. The rally was perfectly in time with the national commemoration of the “Araw Ng Kagitingan”, which remembers how our great forefathers fought against the cruel regime of the calloused leaders a hundred or more years back.
I was barely five years old then when Yellow as the significant color of Tita Cory’s fight for democracy in the Philippines took a magnanimous mark in our history. As a toddler, I was unaware of what do the yellow ribbons tied on trees and posts signify at that time. But one thing’s for sure at that very moment is the unforgettable fascination I felt everytime I glanced upon yellow ribbons tied on island’s post along the highway when me and my family were travelling neither to General Santos City nor to Tagum, now Tagum City. As time went by, I came to realize that the Yellow Ribbon, the Yellow Friday and all the people behind it have led me to enjoy this precious freedom I and all the Filipinos have right now.
A very long motorcade commenced the memorable Yellow Friday 2010 gathering last April 9 as 300 vehicles or even more lined up to join Senator Noynoy Aquino and Senator Mar Roxas waving hellos, throwing baller bands, and flashing the famous “Laban!” sign while smiling sincerely to many people gathered on the streets of Davao City who want to eagerly welcome the splendid tandem . It was more or less a 17-kilometer motorcade which covered Panacan, Sasa, R. Castillo Street in Agdao, Carpenter, Boulevard, Sandawa, Magallanes, and C.M. Recto Street. The motorcade ended at Roxas Avenue where thousands of people await Senator Noynoy and Senator Mar.
Before Senator Noynoy Aquino and Senator Mar Roxas spoke at the grand rally, the good senators graciously accepted an invitation at The Deck of the Marco Polo Hotel Davao, where the Davao Friends, Noy-Mar Supporters, and the Media met with them. Political, business, academic, and social personalities of Davao City were present to spend An Afternoon with Senator Noynoy Aquino and Senator Mar Roxas and at the same listen attentively to what the admirable tandem has to offer the Filipino people when elected as President and Vice-President of the Republic of the Philippines respectively.

(Published on Mindanao Times lifestyle page last April 15, 2010)