Do we have anything left to be proud of? I'd like to think so. We are still the country of Jose Rizals and Andres Bonifacios, the land teeming with talents like Manny Pacquiao, Efren "Bata" Reyes, Leah Salonga and Chariz Pempengco, the fiercely proud community that supports our own like Jasmine Trias, and our bets for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Yes, this is a beautiful country. And I take exception that Reader's Digest April 2008 issue's article "First Class Asia", did not mention a single destination in the Philippines. I've been to Boracay and Davao, and they're nothing if not first class. I've heard tourists rave about diving in Siargao and spelunking in Sagada.
Some might say that I'm choosing to look at this country with rose-tinted glasses, but I beg to differ. As a Filipino raised and molded here, a native who grew up enjoying our sometimes-overly-warm-but-generally-pleasant climate, nourished by food that are so good Overseas Filipino Workers brings large boxes of it with them whenever they leave, we have learned to take the good with the bad.
Yes, we have problems--corrupt officials and indifferent citizens, dead heroes and living shams, copy-cat entertainment and drones who follow them, outdated laws and reactionary legislation, people who just want to get away from it all and people who just gave up on it all. Despite all this however, where else can you find people who laugh at themselves despite their woes? Who can smile and chide while their stomach growls in hunger? Who would walk or ride a bike because the price of petrol just rose again? Who despite all these troubles would spend P2.50 or more to text and vote for Ejay because they believe that he, like themselves, deserve a better life? I say only in the Philippines!
So regardless of our troll and oil troubles, I say think positive! For this too shall past. God has chosen us and carefully placed us here for a reason. I believe that He has equipped us for the burden that every Filipino carries--He has equipped us with the boundless capacity to love.
Now if only we can direct that love to our country. Let's start now. Before we all fade away.
10 comments:
Nicely written... touched!
as much as i would like to step on your troll, i really cannot blame her totally... she was perched up there because the kalawangs in the system (probably 99%) placed her there to protect their kind... everybody's now doing it in the government they actually rob the Filipino on-your-face fashion... have you visited a government agency lately? what makes it worse is that they behave as if us the public is as moronic as them.
This is so... over the top. Also, at least half of the things in your "only in the Philippines" list aren't really so :-P
Hey Penang's the Pearl of the Orient :P
Have you asked yourself why God placed the troll with you guys?
Oooohhhh...so idealistic. :P That's good! :D
Happy Independence Day!
@aline: thanks! :)
@gypsy: i know, i actually work in a government hospital, frustrating isn't it?
@JC: doesn't matter, I used the phrase "only in the Philippines" as an artistic way of transitioning, appropriate because we love to punctuate our specialties and shortcomings with it
@runawaycat: say you :p here's our claim to fame, what's yours?
@KM: sometimes we need to be idealistic to do the ideal things :p
Hey yours is just someone who discovered a pearl. It's not that Philippines is the pearl of the orient.
My claim: here, , or better still, wiki link if you prefer.
Eh? One link disappeared. Anyway, wiki is sufficient :P
@runawaycat: err... all your link proves is that you like calling Penang Pearl of the Orient... my links tells you how we got the name, because we produced the biggest pearl to date.
On the contrary, I say Filipinos are generally highly attached to the culture, although occasionally you get the bad eggs who deny their roots. Without being overtly political, I say think the bigger problem is that the people have lost faith in the administration- more so outsiders who are not impressed with the actions of our "troll" leader. Not a be-all-end-all solution to every single problem out there, what we need is an inspirational leader. (I feel bad for making this example, but yes, we need a speaker and face to the world like what Obama represents for the democrats)
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