Tips for the Million People March Attendees

For these of you who are going to the #MillionPeopleMarch tomorrow at Luneta "Mabuhay po kayo!" Although I will not be there with you physically, my hopes and support are with you as with all the Filipino people (with the exception of the pork barrel perps, of course). And the least I can do is to offer you these tips on how to have a safe and meaningful protest rally tomorrow.

• LEAVE YOUR KIDS AT HOME. Although #MillionPeopleMarch tomorrow is intended to be a "picnic rally",  please make sure that you don't bring children with you. A public demonstration can suddenly go violent. Provacateurs and saboteurs can easily incite trouble forcing police to react violently against rally attendees.
• DRESS APPROPRIATELY AND COMFORTABLY. Sometimes fight breaks out among rally attendees because some are dressed rather provocatively thus inviting comments from oglers and admirers alike (girls please take note). Rubber shoes are the most suitable footwear since they're perfect for running in case of emergency and they'll protect your feet if stones or bottles or other hard objects littered the ground.  However, since there's the possibility of rains you can exchange them for rubber-soled sandals with straps. I don't suggest step-ins since they easily slip off - I attended enough rallies to know this. Post-rally scenery madalas tsinelas at basura ang makikita mo sa venue. 
• DON'T LITTER. Please be considerate of the environment and of your fellow protesters . Kung sina Napoles at mga kakuntsaba niya lang  ang dadampot ng basura, e iwanan na ang lahat ng mabaho sa kanila.
• BRING RAIN GEAR AND EXTRA CLOTHES. Habagat can strike anytime, folks, so make sure you have with you umbrella or rain coat. Typhoon Nando can also cause downpour in Manila tomorrow
• DON'T BRING VALUABLE ITEMS.  Bring only bare essentials preferably in a backpack- cellphone, food and water, and just enough money. Gadgets may break during jostling AND they attract thieves.
• BRING IDENTIFICATION CARD WITH PERSON TO CONTACT IN CASE OF EMERGENCY INFORMATION. This is very, very important in case some medical emergency happens. Better if your ID has your blood type on it.  
• WRITE DOWN OR SAVE EMERGENCY NUMBERS ON YOUR PHONE. These are the most important: PNP/National Emergency Hotline - phone 117 or TXT PNP to 2920; Motorist Assistance - phone 136; Manila Doctors' Hospital 025242011 (or any hospital near the rally ground). Those who are attending the protest in the provinces, please take note of your area's emergency hotlines.
• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOU. In case you can't bring anyone with you, make sure you find a buddy within your group. Tell her/him your name and basic information about yourself and ask hers/his too so you can rely on each other if things go awry. 
• BE ALERT. Be observant of your surroundings and of the people in your group. If your group is small, well and good; but if it's a large one, be extra vigilant. Determine which persons are likely to be provocateurs and keep away from them as possible. 
• LISTEN AND PARTICIPATE. Attendees of the #MillionPeopleMarch are taxpayers from all walks of life. Listen to what they share about pork barrel scam and the issues and personalities involved, then speak your mind too. I'm sure they will learn a lot from you also.
• BE PROUD OF YOURSELF. You are bringing the wind of change, so give yourself a pat on the back. Good job po sa iyo at sa lahat ng pupunta sa #MillionPeopleMarch bukas. Remember, ang mga mamamayan ang BBB - BOSES AT BOSSING ng BAYAN. WE are the VOICE and the BOSSes of the nation. Hindi sila na nakaupo sa posisyon.