Estrada verdict: An anti-climactic courtroom scene

Today, I woke up earlier than usual (way way earlier than usual) to prepare my paraphernalia (laptop, camera, tape recorder, etc.) and to monitor news over the radio. I submitted my first story shortly before 7 am, thinking it was just the start of a long, tiring, story-packed day.

I left the house without eating breakfast and grabbed a bite before waiting for a cab that would bring me to Sandiganbayan. But lo and behold, not only once but thrice was I rejected by cabbies. They were too afraid of the supposedly heavy traffic that even a promise of additional fee did not do the trick. Knowing I was running late (and rain suddenly poured, arg!) I took the first jeepney en route to Cubao. Fortunately, I got a cab after the jeepney ride (which I ironically lamented afterwards). The cab driver gave me a lot of unsolicited advice when all I wanted him to do was drive fast!

Anyway, when I arrived at the area, I was surprised to see only about 500 protesters. It was supposed to be a big day and where were all those rallyists? Jiggy Manicad and I were already joking about how media made a big fuss about the rally. It was almost an overkill, so to speak. There were four tv reporters from GMA 7 alone while we at Inquirer and Inquirer.net had around five, including photographers, not to mention other local and even foreign press. And all we got was a flimsy rally story (and a darker skin). We were all done by lunch time. No riot, no clash, nothing much to remember.

And I thought it could be one of the biggest coverages in my young journalistic career. Why not? It's the former president we're talking about! But it was seemingly downplayed. A story we followed for six long years ended in a 15-minute anti-climactic courtroom scene. Errr.

It was a dull day, a boring coverage, and certainly not exactly the out-of-the-ordinary type I hoped for. Oh well, at least nobody got hurt.

I went back to the beat (Camp Crame) for a rest. But the much-needed rest was disrupted when I was asked to cover the rally in Paseo de Roxas, Makati around 3 pm. Hopes of getting something memorable suddenly went high, only for me to be disappointed afterwards. The crowd peacefully dispersed after two hours.

You get the picture.

Oh well. We enjoyed the photo-op anyway. haha :)

(Carlo and I gamely posing with anti-riot cops.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(seryoso si Raffy dito. Hindi bagay! haha :) O Raffy, grab mo na)

(Business goes on for this little boy. Looking for plastic bottles to sell, the boy crosses the street as a phalanx of police look on.) This photo was placed in INQUIRER.net's index page. :)