#MillionPeopleMarch

I was a rally virgin before I joined the August 26 Million People March in Luneta. Back in college, the closest I got to joining "rallies" were assemblies in AS Hall, during free period- and only if Atom Araullo was holding the megaphone.

Fast forward to five years later. Here I am, a product of taxpayers' money. A middle class employee. A believer that there's hope in the country. The pork barrel scam just hits so close to home (read about my two cents on the issue here.) 

So on I went to Luneta.

Sharing some photos of my first time, which proved, unlike many other firsts, to be totally worth it. 

A proud moment to be Pinoy. 

Every signature counts.

Making sure mine does.

Statement || Attendees don different anti-pork shirts in the rally.

Click and share. || As of 11am, #MillionPeopleMarch and #ScrapPork generated 5 tweets per second.

I wasn't very big on the effigies 'cause most of them were anti-Pnoy or want Pnoy out, sentiments I didn't exactly share. I just took a snap shot of this guy here who I'd like to interpret as wanting to abolish the President's pork (not the President).

A different kind of selfie.

Time out. || Kuya takes his porky head off in between photo ops to catch his breath. 

More placards. This one I totally agree with. 

This brought me close to tears. Doc Gerry Ortgea was a radio broadcaster in Palawan who was slain, allegedly for his expose. The COA report linked P900M from the Malampaya fund to Janet Napoles. 

Students from militant groups hold discussions on pork barrel.

I have no words for this. 

The other side of the park was for unaffiliated protesters so it was free of banners and effigies. People instead held individual signs to express their views. Like this holy trio.  

A group of seminarists reminds us that not all our heroes are buried. 

My trusty pair. || Buti pa yung Sanuk ko, mapagkakatiwalaan. 

Just three of the hundreds of thousands who stood up on this day. 

Ran into several groups and friends in the crowd. Like Ken, my friend from college, who was with our college orgmates to make a statement- fashion and otherwise- in Luneta. He also fights for the LGBT and anti-Hepa B.

#beautywithacause. ||  #shirtwithoutsleeve

No leaders, no political colors. Just unadulterated voice of the people.

My "co-rallyists", Tel and Mau. With Kuya, the photobomber. 

Okay, now without Kuya.  

The people have spoken.

The police estimated around 100,000 people in Luneta. We may not have reached one million in numbers. But our cries- together with every Tweet, post, like and share, and the cries of everyone who united with us from their homes, offices, other parts of the country and even overseas- will echo a million times over. Next step: make sure we're heard.