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Friday, March 29, 2024

Ask yourself

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A question from Bob Ong’s book troubled me for days. The question was straight—and scary. He wrote in Tagalog, “Are you tired of being a Filipino?”

What can a millennial say? I am full of hopes for the Philippines. I respect business, media and government leaders. Everytime the national anthem plays, I sing it with full conviction. Yes, I am proud to be a Filipino.

But this pride is being challenged. The ugly side is revealing itself to me. 

Let me share the following:

One day on my way to Sta. Mesa, a boy of about seven climbed into the jeepney I was riding. He reached out to each passenger a small envelope to ask for money. His face was gentle. You would be swayed. When no one gave him the alms he wanted, he immediately jumped off the jeepney and sneered at the passengers: 

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“T*ng-ina niyo. Ang dadamot niyo.” 

Everyone in the vehicle laughed; I did, too. But why were we even amused in the first place? 

I am sure all commuters have experienced this. In this country, beggars are commonplace. They come in all ages: there are babies and there are senior citizens. Unbearable! What should have been a productive workforce has been reduced to helpless dependents.

There was even a time when I saw an American begging with his greasy clothes. This made me ask, is coming to the Philippines a curse that will make you poor? 

Maybe it is also for this reason why a large number of talented Filipinos have already gone abroad. Maybe they have lost all hope they could improve their lot in this country.

Just watch the news. You have narco-politicians, cops, celebrities involved in corruption, murder, theft, etc. That stabbing incident of an 18-year-old architecture student by two thieves in Taguig is also a nightmare. This is what life has been here, with Filipinos killing and stealing from each other.

News can indeed make you do a face-palm. One morning when I turned on the television, a “news” item ruined my day.

“Actress A, nagpablonde ng buhok.”

During a crucial time like this,why is this story even part of the news?

Let’s just not blame the media. I’ve noticed that many Filipinos are content with subscribing to the latest telenovelas and their favorite celebrities that they would buy each detail of their careers. It is a sad truth. Many of us do not have the drive to go the distance. We are happy watching those who do.

These are just examples of what an average Filipino sees every day. They may be amusing to hear, but there lies the problem. We see these are normal and do not do something about them. 

So back to my favorite author’s question: I am tired of what a Filipino’s life has become, but I am certainly not tired of being a Filipino. Sure, we see the ugly side all the time, but it does not mean we must lose all hope. 

Cathrine Gonzales is a journalism senior at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. 

Manila Standard accepts contributions, on any topic, from readers between 18 and 35 years old for the column Our Voice. Essays should not exceed 800 words. Send to adellechua@gmail.com. 

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