‘The extraordinary thing is,’ said U2 frontman Bono in his first ever concert in the Philippines, as the last notes of ‘One Love’ faded in the background, ‘even Maria Ressa would say it’s not about individuals, it’s about collective action, it’s about social movements. So that all of you can grow up to be President or Maria Ressa. That is the wonderful gift that is the Philippines.’ A stream of cheering and jeering followed, as the spell of one people united by such ground-breaking music and 80s nostalgia was broken, giving light to what ultimately lay before the band: a divided nation.
For the PDF of this barticle, please click here.