Obvious contrast and divide

Those who have joined protest assemblies, like the last September 29th event, can attest to experiencing mixed feelings. There was the shared indignation and anger vs. abuse and corruption. However, beyond this, many can attest to experiencing positive feelings, an almost indescribable high while among the other protesters.

The experience of being united with so many who share the same beautiful vision of a more honest, more service-oriented government and public servants lifts one's spirit and hope that genuine change is possible. Unity also provides strength of heart and mind.

Being with thousands or even just twenty or less Filipinos, especially united in prayer for God to heal and bless our nation, lightens the burden brought about by the insensitive, callous, abusive and corrupt. United with prayerful Filipinos affirms one's faith in divine justice and salvation. Vigilant, purposive, creative, constructive protests become inspired venues for united, prayerful gatherings.

Those who have experienced such almost "spiritual highs" during and after protest assemblies look forward to future expressions of faith, vision, and continued vigilance until the goal of ridding this nation of abuse and corruption and patronage is attained.

Another call to unite and stand up vs. corruption has been made for October 4 in Metro Manila. Please join this call for sustained vigilance and protest vs abuse, corruption, and patronage wherever you are

One good and beautiful process and result of the relentless vigilance vs corruption is the increasing awareness and participation among more Filipinos within and outside of our country.

Sadly, while on the one hand, more and more Filipinos are joining hands envisioning a better country and future for our people, there are still those who wish to remain in their Sodom and Gomorrah in Congress and elsewhere in the bad and ugly world of patronage politics.

Many in their Sodom and Gomorrah are still in the denial and defensive state about their involvement in the pork scam. Still others want to take others with them, implicating others they say are just as corrupt and abusive or even more than their "honorable" selves. Others pretend all is well and continue to proceed in their normal world of mixed business and politics.

Certainly, with billions at stake, there will be those who will attempt to preserve their Sodom and Gomorrah ways and lifestyles to the tune of the highest bidders.

If indeed the Zamboanga skirmish was a sample, expect more deadly, more kamikaze coups and attempts of the abusive and corrupt to retain, to preserve their bad and ugly world.

It becomes more urgent then for all Filipinos who believe in God, the good, and beautiful to unite even more, to remain vigilant even more in numbers and in prayers, to petition God to preserve those worth saving in Sodom and Gomorrah, if any, or for God to duly render justice to the unworthy abusive and corrupt soonest.

The present movement shows, on the one side, Filipinos who see this country as capable of being so much better than today, so much more protective of our people and of our environment, so much more honest and transparent about public funds, and so much more inspired to continue to do good and to pursue so much beauty and good in people and nature. On the other hand, the present movement's fast gaining momentum not only within the Philippines but abroad is clearly showing the other side that wishes to maintain the status quo, where honesty is never the rule followed, but one used to so much corruption and abuse and patronage.

We have long known our country and our people to be marked by so many contrasts and divide. This time around, hopefully, the contrast and divide between those who seek the good and the beautiful vs those who wish to stay on with the bad and ugly will result in those who wish to remain in Sodom and Gomorrah to be finally damned and punished as they so deserve. And for those in the other side, may they finally be rewarded and gifted as they also so duly deserve.

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