Is There Hope for the Philippines?
This is the first article submitted by a guest blogger named Ellaine. She’s actually a very good friend for quite some time now and I approved this article on two grounds: for one, the article hit a sensitive part of being – my national pride, one that many Filipinos have neglected, and for another, I want to prove to everyone that this blog is open to everyone, a hub for open-minded individuals who can talk about anything under the sun provided the subject is sensible.
The Philippines has long been besieged by problems of all sorts for decades. This made me wonder why. This country is fairly rich in natural resources, has a large population with high literacy rate, and has a very well-equipped work force. This country has all what it takes to improve but why is it that its growth is always stunted?
Back in school, we have been discussing why a certain country remains underdeveloped and causing downturns to all aspects in our government. The main reasons are economic mismanagement, corruption and political instability. No doubt our beloved Philippines has been in a quandary.
I am just an ordinary citizen and a taxpayer. But I am disgusted to let you all know that I am working for the government. YES, the same government that we so loathe and despise. I hate myself for having to represent the 4th most corrupt government agency in the country. I do not want myself to be squeezed into this decayed system that we have now. I do not want to be molded into the system where our leaders have tried to run the government with negligible conscience. Just like many others in my shoe, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that Filipinos expect and deserve. Poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But because we come from a Third World Country, I thought everything is just normal. I used to think that we are surrounded by extreme criminalities and corruption because we are impoverished. But news on TV tells us that this doesn’t hold true.
To see these educated, honorable crooks calling each other names and accusing each other of crimes that they themselves are guilty of, I feel so ashamed for having to share the same nationality with them. I feel so worthless for I can not do anything for my country. Political leaders are big disappointments. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the wrong side of truth and justice. These are only but a few of the scenarios that have gotten our country berserk. We are saddled by politicians’ too much hunger for power. They hang on and cling to power even when they know within themselves that they have betrayed the Filipino’s trust.
I am not losing hope for our country. Just like many other Filipinos out there, I dream of something better for the Philippines. It is the only country I call “mine” and there’s no other place that I could consider “my home.” I want to shout to the entire world that what they hear and see in the news everyday are not all true. Not all Filipinos are crook; not all Filipinos are corrupt. There are still more Filipinos’ who are willing to make a stand- to stand for what is right and just.
I am blogging about all these because this is the only thing I am capable of doing for my country. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain cold to issues that would later affect me and my children. I am encouraging all Filipinos like me to share every little thing that we can do for our country. These little things, when put together, will make all the difference.
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Tags: Philippines, Politics
Bravo! What a topic of yours Ellaine and what a brilliant idea of posting the topic here. Sometimes or maybe mostly Filipinos course our own country and they are the one starting to say something bad about our motherland. We are very quick to critize our systems,filth and pollution in homeland….We will keep our houses in order but when the homeland demands for a better change or a little assistance from us in any form ……We just hide our faces in feathers like a goose and what is a goose? Its an animal and we are also the same if we hide from reality and bitter truth and turn our backs to it !
We can think over it and rise on this occassion rather then wasting time, money and energy on mind boggling stuff. We need to change for a cause.
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Scotty's Princess reply on February 29th, 2008:
Thanks for your comments Joy. Yeah, you’re right. Too many of us haven’t got the backbone to stand up and fight for our country. WE need not go to the streets and shout for change. We can do our share in our own little ways. I believe that change should come from within ourselves first. Before we try to see our fellowmen’s flaws and imprefections, why don’t we try to get a mirror first? We, as Filipinos, need to do our share, not tomorrow, but today and we need it badly NOW coz tomorrow might be too late…
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Galing mo Ellaine!
The government’s crooked ways have gone to my nerves time and again. I have altogether stopped watching the news because of this, I swear! It is utterly frustrating already. And I feel with you when you said ‘you feel worthless’, it does and it makes us Filipinos feel hopeless.
But at the end of the day all we can really do is pray and ask the Lord for mercy and grace. He is in full control of everything, even the rubbish government that we have.
With all that is happening, I could only say that it would only take a matter of time until something big comes up. (come on now, as if, anything is new anymore-anything that props up nowadays barely surprises me anymore) Okay, I’m going to stop now… I just might go on and on…. frustrating kasi tlaga no.
Great post sis! God bless!
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Scotty's Princess reply on February 29th, 2008:
Very well said, Sis Jen! You know I feel utterly disappointed and frustrated sa lahat ng nga nangyayari sa ngayon. Is this the kind of government that we can offer our children in the future? I wouldn’t be too happy if they grow up with the same kind of system that we have now. To see these corrupt officials living in luxury while too many impoverished people in the grassroots level of our society are in dire need of help,I can not help but swear. Are they taught by their parents the proper way? Are they taught that stealing is abhorred by our Maker?
The family as a basic unit in the society have big roles to play. Mothers should raise their children the best way they can. Never smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if they can well afford them. I am not a mother yet but later, I will teach my children to live within our means. Matutong mamaluktot kung maiksi ang kumot. Teach them that there are more important things in this world- morality, dignity, character. Fathers must spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion. Not just in your own homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. The parents should be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.
I still believe that the youth is our future largely because of the influences that they have- family, educators and teachers, peers,the church. Our country need us all.
I am trying my best to fight moral decay in the little way I know how because I know I won’t regret it when I become a mother one day. I will look back at my past miscalculations and wrongdoings and pray that my children will do better than I did. I think that would be parenting education at its best!
(Sis, I was thinking about your articles on parenting at your site marriageandbeyond.com, wink!)
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Am glad master Jessie posted your article…. Nice to know that there is someone like you whose been sensitive of these issues nowadays. Its an eye opener sis! Two thumps up… keep it up!
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Scotty's Princess reply on February 29th, 2008:
Te, actually kinabahan ako. Akala ko di papasa, hahahaha! Sabi ko nga kay Kuya Jessie sa text, kung di papasa sa writing standards nya, sa page ko nalang ipo-post to hehehehe! Well, I hope other bloggers, like you for instance, would be encouraged to write and post their entries here…
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I’m proud of being a Filipino and will always be proud of it no matter what happens and no matter where I am. It is disheartening to hear and watch news about all the things that’s happening in our country. But despite everything, there is still hope for our beloved Philippines. There is still hope as long as there are Filipinos like you Ellaine, me and others who are still concern of what is happening in our country. Just keep the faith and hope alive Filipinos.
Well done to Kuya Jessie for posting your work Ellaine. Congrats! :] Galing!
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Scotty's Princess reply on February 29th, 2008:
Very well said, Twinks!
There’s still hope. As long as we involve ourselves and not just shrug our shoulders off, there is still a lot of hope. I decided to write something like this because I need to do something concrete. We need our voices be heard. We have to pray, not so much for any political leader, but for ourselves. Let us ask for the grace of conversion, to change our hearts to do what we have to do but always out of love for the other. It is only when we have changed ourselves that our community, our country can change…
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Great post! There is always hope.. But changes should come from everyone..
Keep it up!
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Scotty's Princess reply on February 29th, 2008:
Pinaywife,
Yes indeed! Like I’ve said, our country needs us all. I want to make it known to the entire world that people like you, like me and so many FIlipinos out there, still believes in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out our ideas, and most of all, believes that we are very much capable of making a difference.
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Great post Leyn!
All you said are absolutely right!I’m one of “makabayan” na tao.. But most of the time I’m so frustrated with what happend to our country.. In addition to that, I want to add that Philippines has POOR WATER SYSTEM! It is not safe to drink the water in the restuarant, ggrrr! Oh well cguro may pag asa parin ang Pilipinas kung ang maging presidende ay may takot sa Diyos..takot magkasala..Sayang talaga ang Pilipinas..nasa Pinas na ang lahat..pero dahil sa mga corrupt gov’t. officials, walang nangyayari, mananatiling 3rd world country nalang talaga ang Pilipinas. But whatever happend to the Philippines, dito parin ako maninirahan at mamamatay! =)
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Yes Lermz! Knowing you as my very good friend since high school, you are indeed a true-blue Filipino by heart. You have every chance to go out and live a better life in foreign shores but you opted to stay and be with our beloved country. You deserve an award for that, hehehe!
Seriously, you hit it right! If only our leaders have enough decency to fear our Maker. Pero mga halang ang kaluluwa ng mga yan. All we could do is offer our prayers for their soul. Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good.
We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. AFTER ALL, THEY CAN NOT BE MORE POWERFUL THAN GOD!
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Believe it or not, you deserve to be a senator, lol.. nice post ate ellaine.. This is an excellent one..
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Scotty's Princess reply on March 4th, 2008:
Hahahaha! Joliber naman! Kahit nga barangay tanod di ako puede hahaha! Dakilang anak, ate, kaibigan, and later wife and mother hehe, puedeng- puede!
Thanks for appreciating this one!
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I am not a Filipino though I have lived and worked in Manila.
If I can borrow the admonishment that the present President of Indonesia lashed out at his people over the issue of rampant corruption, I believe that same can be said for the Philippines.
The Philippines, a country that is predominantly Catholic. Where has all that religious belief and upbringing gone to despite all the religious fervour and dramatisation that the Country reeks with?
Has the religious indoctrination afforded these lamentable results of moral and political ineptness in the Philippines. The same leaders at all levels of governance who are seen at their Churches piously washing away their sins against the electorate that empowered them to deliver them from earthly sufferance?
Don’t even think of suggesting that Education and a change of leaders will be the solution.
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jessie reply on April 8th, 2009:
Windmill,
Thanks for the comment. It certainly did contribute a lot to the discussion.
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