Back in 1984, my mother didn’t allow me to enter UP because she said I am a rebel by nature. I think she was right.

It was in high school when I first thought of myself as one of the many instruments of change, political change, to be specific. I believed in the power of every citizen to decide the fate of his country. Ninoy Aquino died and he was my hero, the icon above all of my ideals.

He died and fuelled even more that sense of patriotism in me. Sneaking from the watchful eyes of my mother, from the obscure town of Balanga, Bataan, I joined rallies for Ninoy in my hometown. He was the subject of all my papers, my reports in school. The need to express my burning convictions as a youth was so paramount back in the day.

In college, the sense of patriotism grew even more fiery. The widow in yellow replaced the icon that was Ninoy. Cory and her trusted phalanx of intellectual and idealistic leaders enjoyed my whole-hearted support and doubtless obedience for every call of protest she mustered during those critical times. Never had civil disobedience held so much power than it did during those days.

Snap elections came and went. Everyone rallied behind Cory. She won. But Marcos proclaimed himself. The nation cried against massive cheating. Thus was the predestination of the peaceful revolt now known as EDSA Revolution. Non-violent People Power catapulted the Philippines and the Filipinos on the forefront of global admiration and respect.

Through it all, Cory shone like a beacon of light. She held the promise of freedom. She held the portal of hope. And the Filipino people believed. And the Filipino people triumphed with her. The widow in yellow conquered Malacañang and ousted decades and decades of one-man-rule.

After that, I purposedly relinquished my rebellious spirit. The battle had been won. There’s no need to fight. She is in place – trustworthy, incorruptible, a woman of integrity.

Criticisms against her administration were rampant after a few months. And we developed mixed feelings. As we brushed the ugly truth off as man’s insatiable inclination to complain, to bicker and to find faults, we remember feeling defeated, the youthful fervor for the ideals that once was being crushed, the hopeful regard for leaders reduced to mere “cycle of political chaos.”

We grew up, worked, raised a family and inevitably chose to focus on concerns far more real than the theory that is nationalism. We became very, very much apolitical. We lost confidence to the system, we lost confidence to the people behind the system. We were content to compromise.

And then Cory died. The overwhelming outpouring of love and respect for her by the people who never forgot jolted us back into existence. And we started remembering who we were the exact moments when she rose from the doldrums of obscurity to become the national icon that she is today.

Remembering opened our eyes. Now we are able to see again. And we puke once again, at the blatant disregard and audacity by which some people trash the dignity of the Filipino.

No more turning a blind eye. We’re embracing the conviction. The youthful idealism is back.

Lea Salonga wants to know your favorite songs

Good news to all Lea Salonga fans!

Our very own international singer-actress will be holding her traditional major concert this year, billed “Lea Salonga: Your Songs” at the PICC Plenary Hall on Dec. 11 and 12.

And what’s even more exciting is that this year, for the first time ever, her fans and followers can be a part of creating Lea Salonga’s concert by sending in your requested songs through her website at www.LEAyoursongs.com.

Produced by AmbientMedia, the same company behind her successful “Lea… My Life… On Stage” last year, the concert will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for your favorite songs, the songs of your life, the songs of your loves, the songs of your dreams, or simply the songs you’ve always wanted to hear Lea sing, to be part of her repertoire.

Musical director for the show is Gerard Salonga who also mobilizes his 47-piece FILharmoniKa orchestra to accompany Lea in the show. Stage direction is by Bobby Garcia. Lea will be joined by comedy queen Ai Ai Delas Alas (who undoubtedly will provide a different dimension to the show by virtue of her comedic skills), balladeer Richard Poon and the award-winning dance group Philippine All Stars.

Last year, Lea celebrated her 30th anniversary with a concert musical entitled “Lea... My Life... On Stage” which won the 2008 Aliw Awards for Best Director, Best Musical Director and Best Major Concert for Female. Now she is back to grace the Philippine stage once again with a concert dedicated to her fans. AmbientMedia is once again the one putting together everything to make sure that it runs consistent with excellence, the quality always associated with our world-class talent.

AmbientMedia is a media and entertainment company whose aim is to bring the talents of both artists and entrepreneurs together to create things that last in the memories of their audience. It recently produced the successful concert “Quick Change” featuring Jon Santos and The CompanY.

Log on to www.LEAyoursongs.com to send your request and for more details about the concert.