The Philippines and the Filipinos I Want to See

[David]

This is a blog post which I posted on my blog, Pagod Ka Na Bang Maging si Juan which had also been dubbed as a Finalist for the Best Single Blog Post - Commentary on the just concluded Philippine Blog Awards 2008. I would like to share this to all of you who are totally Flip like me... This was written Friday, November 30, 2007...

Yesterday, all hell break loose on the siege in Makati and it was a victory for the government and a confirmation of the apathy that the people of this country has. The lack of unity and factor to effect genuine change.

By my looks I may not be seen as a Filipino but by my heart I am a Filipino to my last drop of blood and to my last breath I am a Filipino. I would die for this country and I would die trying to affect genuine change for the people and for this country.

I am sick and tired of hearing negative news of graft and corruption, bribery and other bad things in the government... of wasted money and ghost projects of warring among position in the party and in the House of Representatives or in the locality. I am sick and tired of money politics and of personality politics and election who only serves the elite.

I feel pity that most people will talk more about the latest television shows and of actors and actresses or their lovelife than of what they can do for the country. I cry to see people not prioritizing love for country as part of their daily life and daily work.

Bawat araw na lumilipas ay nagigi tayong isang bansang nagkakanya-kanya. Mga taong alipin ng trabaho at kapitalismo... ng mga textmates at mga usong modelo ng celphone.. ng ipod.. ng mall... ni Marimar... ni Ysabella at ni Zaido. Yan ang gusto nating tutukan at pag-usapan. Habang lumulubog ang barkong ating kinakalagyan patuloy ang pagtaas ng ratings ng Marimar, Kamandag at iba pa. Gusto nating maki usyoso sa Pinoy Big Brother at magbakasakali sa WowoWee.

Masisisi ba natin ang mga mamamayan kung sawang-sawa na sila? Palagay ko hindi sapagkat unang-una ang mga taong higit na may panahon at binigyan ng pagkakataong akayin ang iba tungo sa mas magandang bukas ay binigo sila sa landas na dapat sana ay kanilang tinatahak.

We are growing economically, so the government boast on it but are the people feeling it? Why would an 11-year old girl hang herself because of their extreme poverty if what they are saying is true? Why would many Filipinos go abroad and risk their lives and future as OFWs if we are indeed improving.

We are improving because the capitalists and the rich are improving. We are improving because the miners are hoarding all our riches and money while the poor people in those areas are facing a future life of environmental distraction.

This is not the country that I wanted to see... for my kids and their future generations I don't want a Philippines like this. What I want is a Philippines that they can be proud of. I am not dreaming of a rich country.. it is not needed to be happy.

Gusto ko ng isang bansa na kung saan ang lahat ay may paggalang asa bawat isa. Gusto ko ng isang bansa na ang mga namumuno ay tunay na naglilingkod sa mag mamamayan.... isang bansang may paggalang sa kapaligiran at sa mamamayan nito.

I pray for a people who will not only care for themselves but will also care for others. I pray for a people that will hold the welfare of their country high and that everything they do is for the betterment of their country. No more envy... no more greed and no more apathy.

Utopian? Might be.

Possible? Definitely.

How? It depends on all of us. We are the people of this country and through our sacrifices and hard work we can make this happen. I believe that we the Filipino people deserves a better life and a better government.

Let us break the tides of apathy, greed and selfishness.