P-NOY INAUGURATION DAY

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.

Posted by: Ed Lingao | June 30, 2010 at 11:11 am
Filed under: General
http://www.pcij.org/blog/?p=5668
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