Riot City Blues
Popular wisdom holds that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they talk to waiters, pet their dog or arrange pillows on the bed. Personally I consider these last resorts, after say, reviewing their CV. Either way, one thing which tells you a lot about a people is how they stage a revolution. A quiet diving vacation in the Philippines was the backdrop to my first revolution in late January 2001. Testimonies against then President Estrada's alleged kick-backs ignited public sentiment, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to block the streets of Manila in protest. The military were mobilised to disperse the crowds, but soon reported, somewhat haplessly, that there was no longer any space left in the streets for people to disperse into. Within hours, national TV carried footage of protesters making garlands and BBQ-ing chicken for hungry, albeit bashful tank commanders as a full-on street party ensued. A wannabe pilot sprayed 'Resign' on the presidential chop...