Life imitated art in Makati City on Saturday night when hundreds of thousands of people enacted Tarantadong Kalbo's famous "Tumindig" art during what looked like a peaceful revolution but was actually presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo's miting de avance.
Everybody in the humongous crowd on the whole stretch of Ayala Ave. and adjacent roads raised their clenched fist as they made a vow.
That was the vow made in one of the country’s busiest business districts of Filipinos fighting to uphold their rights and freedom.
“Sa isang tumindig, libo libo ang nakikinig. Gumising tayong isang umaga, lumalakas ang ating pwersa. Ang pag-asa abot kamay na (From one person who stood up, every then listened. We woke up with forces getting stronger. Our hope is already beyond our grasp,” actress Jane de Leon as she led the 780,000 people in delivering their promises.
The “Tumindig” (to arise) art was created by Tarantadong Kalbo, real name Kevin Eric Raymundo, to express frustration about the government’s pandemic response.
Its original version depicted several rows of blue anthropomorphic fists bowing in submission except for one glowing white raised-fist character. Eventually, several artists made their own version, with their own fists already raised along with the original one.
Imitating the art, Robredo’s supporters vowed that their arising “will not end tonight,” even though Robredo, who represents the opposition, caps off the three-month campaign period.
They gave assurance that they would be fearless in fighting for freedom until the very end.
“Heto ang simula ng ating paglaya. Panata ko sa bayan, ikaw ang tanging pagsisilbihan. Ang puso ko ay para sa mga Pilipino. At ang panata ko ay ilalaban kita hanggang dulo (This is the start of our freedom. My promise to the nation: to serve you. My heart is for the Filipinos. And my promise is to fight until the very end),” the crowd said in unison.