Protest rallies are getting too boring and exasperating to watch each presidential inauguration and actually ineffective. Regimes go on even with the most fiercest or violent of them. Even the so-called EDSA Revolution didn't stop the Marcoses for good. See? So what's the point?
So I tried thinking how protesters can better express grievances in more productive ways and give us spectators something new to see in the news and, who knows, even prod us to consider what they're fighting for. Ralliers may still consider suggestions here while BBM's inauguration is still hours away.
Free Coffee
I'd definitely join something like this--a protest rally that doles out coffee for free--better if it's courtesy of Starbucks, even if it's just cappuccino in medium plastic cups. That'll do. And maybe add my favorite Danish cinnamon bun?
Do you know the number of coffee lovers in the Philippines? The FB group "Kape Lovers" alone has 126.6K members while "Samahan ng Mahilig sa Kape" has 215.8K as of this writing. That's not counting the silent, apolitical coffee lovers who may join in just for the coffee.
Imagine that big support? You'd so easily fill Luneta Grandstand with at least a million peaceful protesters (coffee promotes peace).
Boodle Fight
Jose Rizal included a chapter in his El Filibusterismo a dinner scene at a panciteria attended by 14 students. They renamed the menu foods after several prominent folks they had grievances as a protest. What better way to protest than "eat" officials you are against and satirically critique their taste. Do it in a boodle fight using a long table across Luneta where both pros and cons share the meal and take turns with their mockery and rebuttal.
That'll be fun.
Walkout
No one's ever done this before. Why not assemble at Luneta and when inauguration starts, everyone simply leave and go home. Imagine the intense drama. That will baffle everyone--the inaugural party, the police, military intelligence, the media, the entire country and the whole world. Imagine that media mileage. Why? Because no one's ever done it before. And everyone will be curious and beg you for endless interviews why you guys did it. Isn't that what you want? Attention?
Better Yet
Better yet, let's give BBM the benefit of a doubt. I didn't vote for him but because God allowed him to win, I can peacefully live with that---because the bible says I must submit to the governing authorities. When the apostle Paul wrote this, the governing authority was quite anti-Christian and super cruel to them. Yet, that's what he urged believers.
I may be peaceful with the idea that BBM is president, but this doesn't mean I would agree with unjust or inept governance. I won't protest, though. I have a more dreadful alternative. I'd pray. My GOD holds real governance and he decides who gets cursed and who gets blessed. And in this matter, HE listens to what I think, through Christ.
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NONJOINER discusses how you can quit joining the crowd and see how the bible helps you think independently to develop your unique person as God wants you to and develop an authentic social life.