Rallying rod

Well, today, September 21, is the big day.

- Joseph T. Gonzales

Seething rivers of protesters are supposed to flood at least two venues in Manila. Multiple body parts are crossed that nothing untoward occurs during this particularly singular moment in our history.

Yes, it's happened before. 1986 saw angry, determined and energized citizens out on the streets, decrying the dictator that was the father of the current president. Forty years later, the son is on the throne, and a familiar scent is in the air. Is that a people's revolution we smell around the corner?

Oh, not the normal kind where armed conflict rages, and bodies litter the streets. We Filipinos are too tame for that. The Pinoy brand of revolution is a charm offensive employed on soldiers, and indignant mothers castigating politician sons. Then, after a few tense moments, the bad guys give up. The protesters cheer, and everybody goes back to their normal lives.