Street activism: A survival guide for seniors

Time was, when I was young, sprightly and full of passion to join whatever activity needed my support, be they planning meetings or marches in the streets. It was the height of the martial law years and there was much to do.  A phone call and I would be up and out to join my colleagues for a meeting, press coverage, a workshop, a march, a rally, a vigil or a visit to political detainees.

I was tireless. I would accept assignments like writing manifestos (and at one time, actually reading one in front of Camp Aguinaldo), visiting high government officials to intercede for the release of political detainees, making placards for rallies and taking on marshal duties at mass mobilizations.

When our freedoms and democracy were finally restored, there were other mass mobilizations: in support of the new Constitution, the peace talks with the communist and the Muslim insurgencies, agrarian reform and the survival of the Cory government vs. the multiple coups mounted by the so-called military reformists. Later, I joined over a million people who gathered to defend the Constitution that President Ramos, faced with the possible fiasco of an Estrada presidency, wanted to amend to allow himself to run for a second term.  It was a difficult decision. We needed to maintain the stability and reforms already in place, but a designer amendment of the Constitution was just not right.

Within just over a year of his term, there were the marches and rallies in support of the impeachment of the erratic Estrada, even as we flinched at the idea that the unpopular vice president would be his legal successor.  And, of course, when GMA began to act as we feared she would, I was again out there, protesting corruption in word and in deed.

These legs have brought me everywhere. They were strong and willing to go the extra mile for everything that mattered. 

Not anymore. The issues that have been popping up thick and fast have brought me back to the streets with the same passion I had in the past.  However, this time, my bunions hurt, my legs don’t hold up as well, my voice is not as loud as it used to be.  And I tend to wilt quickly in the heat.

These days, being election season, my adrenalin is high again.  The other week, I got up early to join like-minded citizens in front of the Comelec office in support of Chell Diokno who was filing his certificate of candidacy for the Senate.  There was a virtual fiesta out there with supporters of aspirants wearing distinct colors and drumming up support for their candidates. Just like old times!  After around an hour, helping hold up a tarp with my candidate’s face on it, I had to sit down. Clearly, I could no longer do long mornings standing under the sun.

Not now, Lord. There is still so much to protest against and so much good to support. This is not the time to be deterred by aching joints and failing health. There is, however, no reason to keep away completely from mass actions, especially during this campaign season. I have prepared a checklist based on my own experience — a survivor’s guide for seniors who wish to remain active in the streets. I hope this is useful for “the young once” of every political color who want to be seen and heard this campaign season.

• Go only when you have a ride to and from the event and stay with your companions. Do not go wandering about where they cannot find you when it is time to go home. Give yourself a maximum number of hours there, so you don’t get too exhausted. It is all right to leave a rally early if you do it without fanfare.

• Bring water from home in a small container so you do not have to buy bottled water.

• Bring candies, biscuits, sandwiches to give you energy, and do share with the other protesters.

• Bring an umbrella, sunglasses, folding chair. Wear sunblock. On a rainy day, a light raincoat, like what Pope Francis wore in Tacloban, will come in handy.

• Wear cool and comfortable clothes and consider the weather and terrain in your choice of footwear. Rubber slippers will not get you far in a Jericho march, and socks and sneakers can get heavy on a hot day. Bring an extra shirt.

• With everything you need to survive, you may want to bring a caregiver to watch your back in case you faint, and to help carry your stuff.

• At the rally site, mark the nearest toilet, which would probably be a fast food outlet. But be prepared for a long line when you go. The toilet will not be spic and span, so hold your breath.

• Find a safe corner from where you can exit quickly, in case of trouble.

• See that your rhetoric is on message. And keep it cool. Trash talk could affect your heart, your blood pressure, your weakening legs.

• Finally, clean up your area of litter. Leave the rally site cleaner than you found it.  The environment is our responsibility — all the time and everywhere.