Activists...

[nicolodeon]

I was following the news last night on my way home and heard that students tried to protest (a near daily occurrence once classes starts) at the US Embassy. Cops stopped the group and and according to the news person, a number of students got hurt.

During my time in university more nearly two decades ago, activism against the US government was quite high, as student activists were chanting "Marcos tuta ng Kano" then a few years later "Cory tuta ng Kano." A few were really anti-American. A number of my schoolmates were quite active in these protests. I remember asking them in jest this question "What if fate brings you to America to work? Would you go?" A number of them emphatically said "Heck no!"

Some months back, I bumped into an old schoolmate - who was once an avid activist. So we exchanged pleasantries, did some chit-chat and talked about our lives. So asked him how he was and what he does for a living. He told me he is a PT - in America.

Now why am I grinning, you might ask? It's because this buddy of mine was one of the guys who shook their head in an emphatic 'NO' when I asked my question. So I kind of ribbed him about it. He just laughed and told me quite a number of our friends who joined in those rallies were now based in the US. So I asked him what changed his mind. His answer: economic/financial need. He also uttered this statement: "Pare, tama ka. Mahirap palang lagyan ng period or exclamation point ang bawat sentence. Kinain ko mga sinabi ko 'nun."

To the reader who read this post: don't get me wrong. I'm neither pro-American or anti-American. I've worked for and with American companies in the last 8-10 years and I've seen the good and bad of things - or so I may think.

I'm just wondering if those students in the news last night would wind up like that buddy of mine who ate his words: after college would they succumb to economic/financial needs and go to work in the US - or any foreign country for that matter?

Chances are, they might...they just might.