One hundred thirteen years of independence and what have we achieved?

I always find myself spiritless when celebrating Philippine Independence Day, a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. I honestly feel that the celebrations are quite dull. There seems to be something missing as we celebrate this special day. Unlike in other countries, like when the French celebrate Bastille Day or when the Americans celebrate the 4th of July – the whole country and the people beam with excitement, exude a strong sense of nationalism and great pride.

The regular flag raising ceremony and boring speeches thereafter just doesn’t do the trick. Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and even Halloween seem to be more popular than this important event. What are we doing wrong?

Truly, we need to go back to our history to fully understand and appreciate it. In order to deepen our sense of pride, we need to educate ourselves and our fellow countrymen. But how can we do it when the Philippine history books seem to lack in circulation. In other words, there are beautiful Filipiniana books but are only available to the rich. Majority of the people have no access to them. The only popular books available were written between the mid-sixties to the seventies by Zaide, Jose Arcilla, Teodoro Agoncillo and a newer account by Alberto Viharin. Although the authors have given a good historical account of the Philippines (until the eighties), why are these the only ‘good’ textbooks available? Why can’t we produce a variety of books that talk about Philippine culture, heritage and history and make them available to the masa? Why can’t there be other supplementary books (with pictures or illustrations), even comic books for that matter? We need to let the young read more about our history in order for them to feel it and live it.

What has our historical commission done to strengthen Philippine history aside from closely monitoring the way we sing our national anthem and the way the flag is respected? What have DepEd and CHED done aside from proclaiming Linggo ng Wika? Where are the museums, the markers and the monuments that help build a better understanding of our country? Where are the posters and the tarpaulins to teach us more of our history and our great heroes? All we see nowadays are the tarpaulins of local officials with their smiling faces flaunting their so-called achievements posted all over the city. Susmariosep!

If we want to build pride, our government must do something about it. Right now all we see, hear and know is the story of People Power at EDSA (which is overly celebrated and retold on television) but the People Power Revolt 113 years ago has truly been forgotten.

Ironically, our countrymen were better off 113 years ago. They had a higher and more divine sense to protect and build this nation. In our present times, we have allowed our country to deteriorate, allowing thieves to steal our country’s wealth, resources and pride. They are very unlike the Katipuneros who fought to their last breath for country. Today, our leaders fight for their own survival. They think of themselves instead of country.

After over one hundred thirteen years of independence the Philippines is still struggling to attain its ground toward developing a strong, stable and progressive nation. The quest for real independence is an evolving pursuit. We should immediately resolve the political issues affecting us. If there is a need to refresh the leadership in the local and national level, then let’s do it immediately! Otherwise we will see the breakdown and total collapse of the government systems.

My father wrote a heartrending column in the early ’90s entitled: A portrait of the Filipino as hero: In search of himself. I feel that his words will reverberate in our minds and challenge us to get back on our feet:

There is something about June 12^th, that neglected day, which brings out the cynic in the Filipino. It is regarded as the moment for dreary speeches reaffirming the same old platitudes. “Independence, we tend to scoff. “What independence? We have not freed ourselves of colonial mentality – we haven’t even freed ourselves of our faults.”

True, none of them could be classified as “intellectuals.” Perhaps this was why, unlike our filosofos who delight in engaging in seemless coffee shop gossip and endless discussion and debate, those Katipuneros were doers and not talkers.

On this day, what sort of Katipunan does President Cory envision? A league of talkers – or those who dare and do?

Apolinario Mabini, whose memory is maligned by that corny sobriquet, “The Sublime Paralytic,” was certainly not paralyzed by shibboleth, but possessed a bold spirit capable of soaring far beyond the bonds of his infirmity. In his True Decalogue, penned in 1898, Mabini handed down a legacy which we seem to have forgotten. I commend it to us all now in these confused and confusing times:

“Thou shalt love thy country after God and thy honor and more than thyself; for she is the only Paradise which God has given thee in life, the patrimony of thy race, the only inheritance of thy ancestors, and the only hope of thy posterity; because of her, thou hast life, love and happiness, honor and God… Thou shalt strive for the happiness of thy country before thy own, making of her the kingdom of reason, of justice, and of labor; For if she be happy, thou, together with thy family, shalt likewise be happy.”

Somewhere along the line, we lost our way. This day will not be lost if we resolve to retrace our steps and find the true path again.

Is there anything new under the sun? Without the sacrifice of those three martyr-priests, without 1872 (Rizal pointed out) there would have been no Plaridel or Jaena or Sanciangco, and those brave groups of Filipinos in Europe who fought in the “propaganda movement” and struggled for national identity through the media of literature and the press. Without the death of that reluctant rebel Rizal, by firing squad, at the Luneta, on Bagumbayan field, there might have been no revolution, only a frustrated Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo pondering fruitlessly what might have been.

Without Ninoy Aquino’s date with an assassin at the airport tarmac on August 21, 1983, there would have been no EDSA People Power Revolution (the first kudeta of the 1980s) – and there would have been no President Corazon C. Aquino. Every cause has its effect.

What “cause” can we embrace today that can give meaning to our disappointed lives? Until the Filipino’s search is completed, until he finds himself, we will have neither happiness nor rest.

We are meant for higher things, I can feel it with every tingling fiber of my soul. We can do it, if we only relearn to dream, to hope – to dare and to aspire.

I pray that God will guide our new leader, redirect him to gain more courage to face the challenges and inspire him to make the right choices for the country!