This is the Philippines, three times colonized by various imperial powers for four centuries. Never the oppressor. Always the oppressed. Victim of cultural inferiority. The country which until now never really appreciated its own culture and historicity, hence adores the culture of the west with utmost guilty pleasure.
This is the Philippines where Hayden Kho can do feminine desecration and come out in public with his own brand of perfume as if he's one of the most fragrant guys on earth. Where Raymart Santiago and Eduardo Atilano can beat an old media man at the airport and have a primetime TV show after 6 months. Where a president accused opf plunder, sentenced and overthrown from office can become a presidential candidate again and almost won now the proclaimed mayor of the state capital. This is the Philippines. a country which never get tired and will never get tired of Kris Aquino's real life drama. A country very much different from that of Australia, France, New Zealand or Sweden. This is the country where Nancy Binay can win a senatorial race and tramp Milagros Magsaysay and Risa Hontiveros on a national election. A country in need of axiological more than political and economic reforms.
There are times when no one can blame you for being too hopeless, you feel you have all the reasons to pack your stuffs and migrate to another country where opportunities for financial and professional stability are lurking.
A little sense of foolishness can be found in our frenzy for the election season. We love voting for law makers who will legislate the regulations of the land but it seems that very few of us have the interest in obeying laws. No less than the largets religious institution in this country misreads the provision on the separation between the Church and state. Until now, the battles is neck to neck between prolife and pro RH with both political and religious color. The media, another outfit which seem to disregard the Fair Elections Act Sec 6.7-6.8 when MMK Kampanyaserye hit the television serving the interests of the candidates whose very lives were portrayed in the episodes within the campaign and pre-campaign seasons. Th elikes of Grace Poe Llamansares played by Erich Gonzales; Alan Peter Cayetano played by Gerald Randolph Anderson Jr.; Leni Robredo played by Kaye Abad and just two weeks before the election, the life of Jackie Enrile's octagenarian father Juan Ponce Enrile in a two part mini series played by the charming Enrique Mari Gil, all benefited from the show.
I will never find an answer as to why the Philippines is like this. None of us will ever make it alone. Yet rather than asking the questions from where these things originated, the country should start working on a solution to definite sociological problems. And the senatorial election is very much an influential factor to finding an answer. Imposition of laws that can forge order and proper discipline are engines of sophisticated political anbd economic prosperity. If we have the right persons in the government, hotly now, the senate, then we can be a bit secure that necessary laws will be enacted and implemented.
The first thing, incumbent senators must allot a budget for their crash course in European and Asian Studies. Visit the nations in Europe and Asia which are ahead of us like the United Kingdom,Singapore and South Korea then study what measures are applicable also in the Philippines. Scrutinize it. Do not just experiment. Becasue we are wasting a lot of money in testing a system which is not 100% sure to be working. Create jobs and opportunities. Make our people healthy not just fed and then they will be ready to be educated. Voters education should top the list if we want to avoid another Nancy Binay the next time to enter the picture.
Whenever I see the faces of my once brilliant professors and my mentors, I know there is hope in this country. That though Nicanor Abelardo, Raul Manglapus, Claro M Recto, and Ninoy Aquino had long gone by there is assurance for some individuals like them are still alive. Whenever I see photos of me with youth participants who attended my powerpoint lectures on youth leadership, I know there is a spark of brighter tomorrow in this archipelago. I am always encourage to continue doing what I do to the kids who will one day take over our posts or perhaps one day be the names to shade in my ballot.
I'm sure I can do no more with the folks who championed Nancy Binay a senate seat but there is a lot to be done forming the intellectual makeup of the youngsters who are potential leaders of the destiny being honed. And if ever the Philippines has her own destiny to boast, then I like being part of its fulfillment. Even if it means a stockpile of powerpoint CDs and workshop modules.
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