Season of love

On February we always celebrate the season of love as a reminder of St. Valentine’s virtues. As usual, restaurants are fully booked, flowers are given to females and chocolates are being sold like hotcakes. Yet, we often forget the true meaning of love.

I was taught during my formative years that God is love and everyone is born out of love. To love is to give unconditionally, to care for, and to sacrifice. My first love was my parents whom I saw toiling day and night to provide for my needs, as an only child. Falling in love with a person is a different feeling, like going down a pool slide and taking in all the adrenaline. It’s best when it has just started but the way to sustain it is a challenge. But what transcends beyond relational love is one that is for the country.

Jose Rizal is my ultimate church when it comes to loving the Philippines. He spent more than half of his life going around places to take in all that he can learn so he can help his fellowmen. He understood the plight of the masses and made do with his own means whatever it was necessary to alleviate the situation. Never mind the many girls he dated, that was not even an issue. We look at the other side where he poured out his life for the country.

We are now at a crossroads, looking for the best choice to sit in as leader. Apart from competence and track record, it is also important for the next president to have love for the country. It goes beyond the platform of unity and any economic roadmap because love can move mountains.  Yes, it is a cliché but true. Notice how many people succeed in life because they chased after what makes them happy. Going after their passion, and not generational duty makes one fall in love even more. The harder they fall, the sweeter the role becomes.

By now, we have yet to see how one is truly in love with dear Philippines. That love isn’t even translated into the number of attendees in a sortie, no the influx of reactions on social media. It is real action, real work. One should weep for its people and the financial deep hole that we are in. Honestly, we are not in a stable position. One pandemic and many other issues skyrocketing our debt is affecting way too many Filipinos. Imagine, my son’s children and grandchildren will pay for that.

How is it to love the country then? Apart from action and work, is it the ability to empathize with others regardless of social class? It is a rather easy thing to understand but a rare trait to find.