MikeLigalig.com

Today, August 21, 2009 is the 26th death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino. What are we doing differently this year to commemorate it?

A lot!

Fresh from mourning the death of his wife Cory, the entire nation is remembering Ninoy’s heroism with more passion than in the last quarter of a century of death anniversaries.

There will definitely be more people at Manila Memorial Park to visit the conjugal graves. In the last 24 hours thousands already did.

In favorite rally points around the country, we expect thicker crowds too.

Today we also launch Araw Ng Dilaw.

Here’s a text of the radio spiel distributed to radio stations all over the country, by various civil society groups:

“Sa Araw ng Dilaw, wear something yellow. Light a yellow candle, to remember Ninoy and Cory’s Love for the Filipinos. And if you’re on the road today, keep the flame of Ninoy and Cory burning. Along with a thousand other cars, switch your hazard lights from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and spread the country’s Yellow Spark far and wide.”

This also spread like wildfire through text.

Araw Ng Dilaw is not just good for August 21, 2009. Civil society groups propose that the country make every Friday thereafter, Araw ng Dilaw.

People are encouraged to wear something yellow every Friday. Cars should also sport yellow ribbons, and if it is not too much to ask, we can keep the Friday evening habit of switching our yellow hazard lights (for those with cars). There are more ways of observing Araw Ng Dilaw than wearing yellow (in case it’s not a favorite color). This should not be a problem, Filipinos are born creative.

Sustaining the passion for change and immortalizing the principles of the Aquino couple is crucial. Hence Araw Ng Dilaw. Filipinos are intrinsically forgetful. We have an election to win in 2010 therefore Filipinos should not lose fire in aspiring for cleaner, honest and credible elections, the very democratic ideals the Aquino couple fought for.

Araw Ng Dilaw, because we need to be constantly reminded of the bigger picture before we drown (again) in our mundane, highly personal worlds.

And yellow is too glaring a color to ignore.

* * * * *

“Yellow” has had a bad worldwide, centuries-old reputation.

In the English Language, “Yellow” has been associated with jaundice and cowardice. Quoting Wikipedia, “Yellow” in American slang is the color of cowards. Yellow-bellied. Chicken. Sissy.

“Yellow” also means old, hence the expression “yellowed with age”.

Italians use “Yellow” to label crime stories. In the 1930’s when crime novels became a hit in the country, publishers used “Yellow” as the predominant book cover color. In China the term “yellow movie” can refer to pornographic film.

In my world, a yellow journalist is one who churns out sensationalized news stories. More importantly, yellow journalism misrepresents facts, sensationalizes and exploits news to maximize profits.

Yellow means bile and hepatitis.

Yellow is the international color of caution. Accident prone streets have lines colored yellow. Traffic signs are rendered in yellow to call attention to hazards.

Yellow is the color of jealousy.

But in the Philippines “Yellow” is the hue of change, social reform, and justice. It represents democracy and all the good things that come with freedom.

Yellow is our color of hope.


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