MANILA, Philippines – Guys, I have an awesome idea. 

The EDSA Revolution is the proverbial dead horse, yet we beat it time and time again when we’re feeling particularly incensed about yet another government scandal. Just last Sunday, in fact, a smattering of religious and civil groups trooped to the EDSA Shrine to protest President Noynoy Aquino’s handling of the Mamasapano mess, trying their darndest to hark back to that one time in the 80s when this plan (arguably) worked. 

Last Sunday’s protest barely drew in enough people, so in effect, it didn’t make a dent. And I bet most of us aren’t surprised. The term “EDSA Revolution” has quickly devolved into a sore point, the painful cliché to end all painful clichés. In fact, it’s even become cliché to talk about how EDSA’s become a farce; it’s that bad. 

But I have a plan. 

Your wallet’s probably choked with sticker-strewn loyalty cards for all sorts of promos: coffee shop planners; free scoops of frozen yogurt; 10% discounts off of what-have-you. And hey, if you love the product you have to purchase an X number of times of to get that perk or freebie, then it’s win-win. 

So, let’s apply that principle to what we have now. EDSA Revolutions are now a dime a dozen; get several people mad enough at something and they’ll take the next bus to Robinson’s Galleria. So why not capitalize on that propensity? I propose we have an official EDSA Revolution Loyalty Card! Right? Right? Tell me that isn’t the best idea ever! 

Here’s how it works: We civilians form an EDSA Revolution Loyalty Committee, which is comprised of leaders from the country’s most productive NGOs. Preferably, these NGOs cover a wide range of pressing issues, from gender rights, to environmental sustainability, to public infrastructure. 

Then, we enforce a reasonable fee on a group every time they decide to use the EDSA Shrine as a People Power-style protest venue. (The fee can even vary according to the group’s mean income. Also, the more people they can convince to join their particular protest, the cheaper the cost per attendee – excellent incentive to try extra hard for enormous crowds!) Each payment merits a sticker on one square in the group’s EDSA Revolution Loyalty Card; fill up all 12 squares within a 20-year time period and you get an awesome prize!

For prize ideas, I’m thinking of a really warm pat on the back, plus a tarp (let’s say 6×5 feet; I’m feeling generous) with the text “Good job, [name of group]! You fought for [cause]! What matters is you tried!” I’m also open to the idea of gift certificates for quality, locally-made products; or dibs on piso-fare flights to well-loved local destinations. 

As for the fees that will be amassed through this ingenious plan, they shall be distributed evenly to the NGOs under the EDSA Revolution Loyalty Committee. So, whether you’re on the giving or the receiving end of this plan, as long as you have a sincere desire to fuel progressive and highly cooperative action for the good of the nation, then it all works out spectacularly for everyone! Whoo!

Well guys, what do you think? This is still an initial draft, of course, and I am more than open to crowdsourcing this plan until everything’s hammered out as best as it can be.

So come on, who’s with me? Anyone? No? I mean, seriously, if this doesn’t work, I don’t know what will. – Rappler.com