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IN a
conversation during a diplomatic gathering, the Italian
ambassador commented that it seems that every week is
Holy Week in the Philippines.
Asked
what makes him say that, the ambassador pointed out that
there are so many flagellants in the Philippines. I said
that I have not seen even one, and the ambassador said
that every day front pages of newspapers carry
commentaries and interviews of people lambasting and
whipping the presidency and all government officials who
have earned the ire of the opposition, and these news
items are carried all over the globe. He said Filipinos
seem to enjoy demeaning themselves before the world. He
added that in Italy, bad news are usually found in the
inner and back pages of dailies. In the Philippines bad
news is front-page news. Is this a sign of our
diminishing patriotism? Or our dismal view of ourselves?
****
IN the
column “Inside Congress” of Efren Danao (The Manila
Times, April 30, 2008, issue), an essay written by a
Korean student was reprinted, which says in part:
“Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the
Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the
problem in the Philippines? I do not think so. I
strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love
for the Philippines. . . . After the Korean War, South
Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. .
.the entire country was destroyed. . . and we had no
natural resources.
“Koreans
used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were
very rich. . .we envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted
to be well-off like Filipinos. . . . Korean government
was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your
imagination, but
Korea.
. . really did their best for the common good with their
heart burning with patriotism.”
Patriotism. This is the key word that lifted South Korea
from despair and straight up to be with the world’s
leading industrial nations. Koreans left their country
to work abroad so that they can send money back to their
families to contribute in the building of factories and
business enterprises. Professionals, including
engineers, worked abroad to improve their knowledge,
then went home and helped in the building of an
industrial giant that is Korea today.
To the
young Korean student, “Love of country” are words that
Filipinos should learn to have in their hearts, because
these “make changes possible.” It is not too late to
learn.
****
IN all
the hostility that some members of the Senate have shown
against the President, there is nothing more repugnant
than their reactions to the announcement of the
blue-ribbon committee chairman that they will end the
hearings and come up with a report of their findings,
further indicating that there is no evidence that links
the President to the alleged irregularities in the
ZTE-NBN deal. Maybe in not so many words, but these
solons expressed their disappointment at the outcome of
the hearings which took so much of their time, and
almost voiced their dismay that the President did not
provide more damaging information to crucify herself.
The public is now aware who to vote in the next
elections, and whom it should trust.
No, the
public was not “outraged” but relieved that the
President was vindicated of alleged wrongdoing. The
public was most offended by the statements of many
senators that they should close the hearings, but not
write finis to it because they are still seeking ways
for new witnesses to compromise the President and
destroy everything she has built and accomplished for
our country despite the open hostility of some members
of the Senate and other prominent personalities and many
members of media.
****
SOME
people are asking: Are senatorial elections now open
country without regard for qualifications and
capabilities, just as long as one knows how to hate?
Always, love is far better. |
