A new day has come

30 June 2010
4:07 AM

Filipinos around the world are excited with what will happen in a matter of eight hours. For today the Filipino people will usher in a new chapter in their history - the oath-taking of the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino III, and the 16th vice-president of the Republic, Jejomar Cabauatan Binay.

Noynoy's ascent to the presidency has brought hope for many Filipinos who were disillusioned by nine dark years of corruption and widespread poverty - broken promises of EDSA II. As the curtain falls on the Arroyo regime to usher in the second Aquino presidency, Filipinos remain hopeful that the problems of corruption and poverty will be at the least minimized after six years.

But hope should not remain hope. In this new chapter we Filipinos must do our part in rebuilding this nation and healing its wounds. Together with the new administration we should usher in a new brand of activism - activism that does not divide but unites; activism that knows no boundaries nor colors; activism that dares to act.

As the song goes (see title): "Where it was dark, now there's light. Where there was pain, now there's joy." It is the responsibility of each and every Filipino to shed light on our fellow, to share the joy that is brought about by this new chapter in history. Let us now be proactive than reactive.

As we welcome the new president and vice president and usher in a new dawn, let us be one in rebuilding this nation. From a single match starts a blaze of flame. Let each and everyone be that match so that the flame of a new Philippines be seen throughout the world.

Pilipino, ipagmalaki mo ang iyong lahi. Mabuhay ka!