For days, after the election people took to the streets by foot and by motor vehicle. Cars, jeepneys, buses, and trucks carried hordes of folks, both rich and poor alike, shouting "laban!" in support of Aquino before and during the elections, and then towards the end, for joy and elation that Marcos had left the country. . .
During the soldiers' revolt against Marcos, more people shouting "laban!" or "Cory!" took to the streets. "Laban" means fight or oppose. The opposition party is called Laban Party.
When Marcos finally flew out of the country, the whole country was celebrating this way! It was like a holiday fiesta that lasted for days.
Not everyone shouted "Laban" though.
I remember when I was in Bacolod City in the Visayas, an informal motorcade had formed right after the election ballots were sealed. People filled up their cars in the late afternoon. They drove around happily honking their car horns, heartily shouting "laban!" and "Cory!"while making the L sign. Some had yellow streamers on their cars and many wore yellow t-shirts.
Well, the local Constabulary didn't like all this "Laban! business". At the plaza, in front of the Cathedral, as the motorcade circled round and round the square, a few gunshots rang out and someone was arrested. (See story in I Remember...)
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