philippines | Panorama

Today I showed my students a video on the EDSA Revolution — specifically the documentary produced by the Inquirer for its 20th anniversary. Many of them no longer know much about our history. One student even said the revolution happened because Emilio Aguinaldo was assassinated, confusing Ninoy with Aguinaldo.

After the viewing, I asked them: If there were a need for revolution today, would you go out to EDSA?

The majority of my 16–17-year-old students said no. They said they are not personally affected by government oppression, that the risk — even jail time — would not be worth it. One remarked that he would just be “a cup of water in the sea.” Others admitted they would rather remain in the comfort of their homes.

A few hopefuls said they would go out, fortunately not for FOMO, but for the country and for fellow citizens.

Then I asked: What changed? Why did people back then go out into the streets — not only in EDSA 1, but again in EDSA 2?

It was interesting that a Korean student offered a striking insight: even when change happens, without follow-through it collapses — and history did repeat itself. Marcos happened again.

That conversation made me reflect. Revolutions like the French Revolution, the EDSA Revolution, and Gandhi’s movement unfolded in the streets. The overthrow of a government becomes the visible symbol of change. But when what is inside us does not transform, there is no real revolution. The political transition becomes a picture — powerful, historic, but incomplete.

Political structures matter. Institutions matter. Laws matter. But institutions are sustained by culture, and culture is sustained by persons.

True revolution requires inner transformation. It is not merely shouting at the top of our lungs on EDSA, cursing the government, or throwing Molotov cocktails. In today’s context, being revolutionary means something quieter but harder: refusing to share fake news, following simple rules, practicing justice in small matters, choosing integrity in daily work — the little acts that, when added together, build a good society.

Be a revolutionary with little and ordinary acts. Build a family. Educate your children well. Work with excellence. Go to church.

As G.K. Chesterton put it, to be ordinary may be the most extraordinary thing today.

Clink the glass. Remember that the clinking of glass is a call to kiss each other. Tomorrow Japhet that is a call to wash the dishes and iron the clothes.

Good evening everyone. Are you all enjoying? I hope all of you are enjoying the night and the great food. Of course food is always delicious when free. Thanks to the groom and bride for serving us great food.

I’m Jeff cua Kyra’s eldest cousin from her mother side, tita jing. Kyra was the flower girl in my wedding when she was 7. She’s also a favorite photo subject when I was actively doing photography.

I have been married for almost 20 years and it’s truly a wonderful ride. The feeling is More like a war survivor. There are joys and challenges along the way but the bond gets stronger as you get through them. For the sake of those who don’t know It was my wife who made me say yes to her and until now, the only thing I can say to her is yes. The first time I saw her I knew i found the right one. Yes, she is The one who is always right. This also explains why I teach at the university level dun lang ako pwedeng maging tama. marriage at the end of the day is just 2 people who decided to Annoy each other for the rest of their lives. My tip: Japhet say sorry when you are wrong and when Kyra is wrong, you are still wrong.

I have a confession to make. I’m just trying to be calm because there was a misunderstanding. In the briefing earlier I was told that I’ll do the toast. All the while i thought I’ll be doing a roast. I had to rewrite my Speech.

4 days ago tito Brian called me and asked me, Jeff can you do the roast. I was confused and even wondered why I was asked to do the roast when it’s normally the role of the best man or the brother of the bride. Bakit mga hindi kayo nagtratabaho Dito? But judging by the way they look, they look drunk and busog. But since I love roasting people specially a groom, whom I just met today, I said yes.

I’ll be nice.

First an observation. You know I have been to many weddings but this is the first time I’ve been to a wedding where the couple decided to serve Redhorse extra strong. -lakas niyan ah, gusto ba nilang umuwi ng gumagapang yung tao? Then I thought, This is probably Japheth reminding Kyra of his extra strong love for her and knowing Kyra,this is her telling Japheth na malakas Ang Sipa niya.

If you haven’t heard yet, nung elementary siya binagsakan niya yung classmate niyang lalaki na nangloloko sa kanya ng bookshelf lang naman. I heard you love reading books Japhet. If I were you I’d stay away from bookshelves.

Often the family members especially kuyas of the bride would warn the groom. Wag mong sasaktan kapatid ko kungdi….but in this case Brad knows Kyra can defend herself dahil nung bata pa Sila, bugbog sarado si Brad. Ngayon si Erica na bubugbog sa iyo.

During Kyra’s debut sabi niya Ang gusto ko sa lalaki yung kamukha ni daddy. I looked at Tito Brian, naluluha. Ako din naluluha, pano na lang kung itake ni lord literally. buti na lang nilinaw ni Kyra, na ibig niyang Sabihin na kasing patient, prayerful, bait, sipag at respectful ni Tito Brian. Those are the things that I hear about Japhet. Palakpakan natin Ang mga magulang na nagpalaki kay Japheth. God loves you Kyra so he gave you what you wished for and probably more.

But Seriously Kyra i think you are in the arms of someone who truly loves you especially after I learned that Japhet has a devotion to mama Mary. Anyone who has a devotion to our mother is always close to Christ, respectful to mothers and women. I am sure, us, your family and everyone who loves you, we are assured that you married a Christ centered family man. (look at Japhet and tell him wag kang papahiyain Ang gaganda ng sinasabi ko sa iyo)

Furthermore, Your lives don’t belong to yourselves anymore but to your spouse and children to be. This means you have to take care of your names dahil I-google lang nila Ang pangalan niyo at malalaman Ang pagkatao mo.

Now, on to my toast, please stand and raise your glasses. Let us all wish Japhet and Kyra a happy and fruitful marriage, May you bear and raise, healthy and god fearing children. May you both persevere in love. May you both put Christ in the center of your family. May you both, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, love and honor each other all the days of your life. And May your ups and downs be only in the bedroom.

Cheers!