There Is Definitely Hope For ‘Pinas

    Some may say that hope is for dreamers but I’ll never be ashamed to admit being one. Aside from the ones dreamt at daytime and even the wet variety, I still dream of a happy Philippine nation. It need not be of utopian proportions, but adequate  food, education, security, basic necessities and happiness would do.

    I just finished reading Conrado De Quiros’ article entitled "Past, Present and Future" and I can’t help comparing him to Gandalf (I might run the risk of being branded as a fan, but who cares?). Like him, I have never lost hope in the Philippines, in spite of its people’s depravity. I would sooner emasculate myself than lose hope in this country, so that’s saying a lot.

     In his column, he proposed three simple things to solve the majority of problems in our country, not least our sense of self. First, he said we should look into our past and study History. Besides dates and names and the good old cliché "studying History will help avoid committing the same mistakes" (it’s true though), studying our past gives us an identity and pride, notwithstanding the traitors and harlots who ran the country down. The current regime even brazenly discouraged commemoration of the revolution that propelled it into position.

     The second is to alleviate hunger. This is achieved by self-sufficiency and not importing our staples. Great economic nations give high priority to their Agricultural Sector through subsidy. Never mind that it costs more. At least the consumers pay lower for food. That’s aside from the Geopolitical pressures that entail importing necessities. 

    Last is Education. We can never give enough emphasis on the importance of Education. Education is something beyond grades, or transcripts. Beyond Summa and Magna Cum Laude. It’s something beyond knowing Articles and Provisions by heart and memorizing equations and bodily functions. Education is Character and Values. It’s appreciating life and strengthening talents. Education is doing what’s right and what you’re supposed to amidst adversity and temptation.

      I know there are those who doubt, especially after the passionate wordings about Education. Everyone has every right and reason to be skeptical about turning this shabby excuse of a nation we call the Philippines, what with all the crimes, decadence and avarice this country has been witness to. But why not put faith in the Filipino people. Pessimism comes from seeing the horrible state of the country. Taking in all the crap is so dismaying, no one wouldn’t be negative. But why not look at what’s beyond the dismal state? What we can do for the better? What the frayed shoe would look like after a hundred strokes of brush after applying biton? Think positive for a change. Good thoughts attract goodness, so they say.