To our dear Egyptian friends,

Congratulations on your success in creating yet another home for democracy in North Africa. Twenty-five years ago, our own countrymen successfully yanked off power from our own dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, through a peaceful process not unlike yours. We are very emotional seeing footages of you and your countrymen in the Tahrir Square, making us remember the sacrifices our countrymen offered for our country in EDSA twenty-five years ago. Some people might call the things that happened in our country as a miracle, some may say it is a effect of a American intervention, but I am sure we will all agree that it is a spark. It is a spark of hope that democracy will indeed have a place in the heart and soul of Egypt. That in the land of Cleopatra, the Sphinx, and King Tut, we will see human rights ennobled and seen as the blazing torch in North Africa.

But this message comes with a warning. A warning to look after your democracy. To ensure that never again will you let anyone trample upon the very foundations of a democracy that you yourselves have established in that sixteen days from January to February of 2011. That you will vouch for yourselves, your family and your descendants to safeguard the fundamental human rights that all people hold dear and all people of all ages, gender, social classes and educational attainment deserve equally.

You have seen what happened in Manila in 1986. You have seen what happened in South Africa, in Tiananmen Square, Poland, and in Ukraine, and most of all, you have seen, felt and experienced Tahrir Square. Vox Populi Vox Dei. And the people has spoken. What happened in Tahrir Square is the spark. The challenge is kindling the flame. The flame of democracy in the Middle East and North Africa. The shining beacon of what is equal, what is just, and what is peaceful.

                                                                                    From your ever caring,

                                                                                                Filipino friends

--Aaron Veloso