“Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines.
Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines?
I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love
for the Philippines.” - Excerpts from “My Short Essay About the Philippines” by Jae Youn Kim
I
disagree with one writer when he said “a Filipino may see his
identity as both an asset and a liability”. While it is true that
there are instances when we are embarrassed and ridiculed by other
countries because of the actuations of some of our fellow Filipinos
here and abroad, these should not taint the accomplishments of many
of our countrymen who brought honor to our country and recognition as
Filipinos. If we are subjected to scrutiny in other countries, it is
not because we are being singled out as a Filipino but because these
countries enforce their laws strictly without any favor to any race.
If we start to feel that our identity as a Filipino is a liability
then we will always become inferior to other nationalities. Lest we
forget the line of the song, Ako
ay Pilipino, “taas noo kahit kanino”.
SOCIOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL EVOLUTION
Our
identity as a Filipino has been shaped by our history as colonially
oppressed people. The hundreds of years that we were colonized by
foreign powers have influenced our socio-cultural development and
political behavior. When we finally gained our freedom from foreign
rule in 1946 (or did we?), our glory days as a nation began to
emerge. In the 1950s and 1960s, we boasted of a promising economy in
the Region. Our military might was demonstrated through our
unmolested show of air superiority within Southeast Asia’s air
space. The martial rule of the Marcos’ regime that lasted for more
than two decades slowly transformed the socio-economic landscape of
our country into a debt-ridden, foreign-dependent economy and
patronage politics became out political culture abetting graft and
corruption in the bureaucracy. It was during this time that student
activism flourished and insurgency threatened our fragile internal
security. The so-called “People’s Power” which was actually
highlighted by a coup d’ etat of disgruntled senior military
officers against Marcos, earned our country a place in world history
as a country that launched a “peaceful” revolution forcing a
dictatorship to step down. But the “restored democracy” of the
Cory administration did not really bring positive change to our
plight as a people. Insurgency was at its peak during her term and
discontent among the military ranks became rampant. We were as ever
divided as a people. This would continue up to the present
administration. We have made a great mockery to our constitution and
democratic processes.
Nowadays,
we see a deteriorating social order. We denounced poor governance of
our national leaders, yet we continue to elect incompetent and
unqualified public officials. We hate getting stuck in traffic at
EDSA but we have also some share of traffic infractions. Our chaotic
traffic condition has earned us the reputation of being home to the
world’s most reckless and undisciplined motorists who have absolute
disregard to traffic rules. We are also fond of blaming every misery
that we experienced as if it is always the government’s fault. But
we forget to ask ourselves if we have done our share of the task in
solving our country’s problems. Now, are we still proud of being a
Filipino?
OUR CHALLENGE
Despite
the social decay that is plaguing our nation, there is still some ray
of hope in the horizon. In other aspects of the society, we still
excel as a people, never mind that we are lagging behind our
Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of economic and military might, we
have still something to be proud of as a people. The latest disasters
that brought havoc in many parts of our country demonstrated our
resiliency and unity as a people. These experiences are wake-up calls
not only for our political leaders but for every Filipino citizen.
The message is clear, that if we don’t mature politically as a
people and continue finger-pointing and blaming each other, soon we
will disintegrate as a nation. Hence, our generation could do a lot
to bring positive change in this country and teach the future
generation to bring back the patriotism we have lost as Filipinos. If
we have to work hard, we should do it not for ourselves but for the
love of our country. This is the true spirit of patriotism. This is
the challenge that we have to face. Then, maybe someday, each one of
us can again raise his head and say “I am still proud to be a
Filipino!”
Ikaw Kabayan, kaya mo bang ipag-malaki na Filipno ka? - Malayang Filipino
(Image by: rhiver on debianART)
Ikaw Kabayan, kaya mo bang ipag-malaki na Filipno ka? - Malayang Filipino
(Image by: rhiver on debianART)
