Nathan

Philippines

I remember posting about being proud to be a Filipino some time last year. With the recent death of a Filipino world icon, we all seem to regain what lost pride we have for ourselves as a race. We have once again united in mind, heart and spirit. I was lucky to be able to get a glimpse of the cortege when it passed through Ayala Avenue last week. Here are some shots from my mobile phone camera:

Only a handful, if not no one, would receive such warm and united support anymore nowadays especially for Filipino politicians. Cory has certainly touched many lives. She, herself has led this country with honor and pride, as a living example of the principles she speaks. She is by no means a saint, and of course errs as a normal human does, but she has continued to serve as an inspiration for the millions of Filipinos here and abroad. Cory has been an icon of Democracy. With her husband Ninoy shedding life for the Filipinos, she feared not, but continued to be a living legacy to fight for our rights especially during the Marcos regime. Some, given that pressure, would fall. But she has shown unwavering faith and determination to continue the task set forth by her husband – to free the people from dictatorship, and live under a democratic banner. Both her husband’s sacrifice and her devotion has ushered in a new era for us, serving as a driving force  for the EDSA People Power to finally become one voice and one heart.

We will forever be grateful to the Aquinos. Their sacrifices have been great. And having served as wonderful examples of how we ought to be as Filipinos, they have given identity and pride to our race. As Ninoy died saying, ‘The Filipino is worth dying for,’ Cory lived saying, ‘The Filipino is worth living for.’ Indeed, we Filipinos continue have something to be proud of. (I remember my last post a year back on a different kind of pride http://www.martianfootprints.com/2008/07/proud-to-be-a-filipino/.) Where in the world can we find such overflowing support  and solidarity in numbers just for a cause? We are slowly becoming agents of change in our country. Yes, we have a lot to be ashamed of (just like the $20,000 tab of the government entourage at Le Cirque last week), but more than that, we are given the responsibility to move forward, to build on this pride to become greater. We have something to back us up, and something to move onwards from.

As fast as we are to be unkind to the injustices of the present, it is as fast that we tend to forget the pangs of the past. It is my fervent wish that we do not easily forget what haunted us in the past, and not to give faith to those who continually stay in power even though they have caused more pain and harm than good for the country.

Related posts:

1. Filipino Educator Named CNN Hero of the Year Indeed, a hero is within each and everyone of us....
2. Political Campaign Overspending is Pure BS I don't know how it is with other countries, but...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.