Not on One Man's Shoulders

It's been more than a hundred days since our eventful national elections. 100 days after and the country has already been placed in the global spotlight. 100 days after and people are beginning to grumble.

The grumbling does not surprise me. I was born in the 70's so I've had my fair share of presidents. And I've seen how they've muscled their way into power or how the public raised them on a pedestal declaring their chosen leader as the nation's savior.

Savior?! What?! As a people, why do we cling to the drama? Why does the Filipino look at himself as a damsel in distress always needing someone to sweep him off his feet and save him? Oh for crying out loud!

We as a people have had the same problem regarding our leaders and how we see ourselves - it's that we expect him or her to change our lives in an instant. Bad news, bros, that will never happen. Because our "salvation", "freedom", and the improvement of our lives cannot be depended on one person alone. With islands reaching 7,107 and a population of more than 90 Million, it is impossible for one man to bring our country together. Instead of placing the burden of kinship and deliverance on one man's shoulders, we should take it upon ourselves to reach out and yes, touch somebody's hand to make this country a better place - not only for foreigners, not only for the rich, but for the masses and for the children - our future.

So what do we do?

Let us not quibble unnecessarily. We have enough diseases that could kill the lot of us, so we don't need violence to shed any more blood. Let's talk. Let's share our feelings. Let's make an effort to build bridges instead of burning them.

Treat each other as if he were your brother/sister. Whatever religion you're in, these are the basic tenets - love and respect your God, neighbor, and the land you live on. As individuals, we will have differences, instead of hurting each other for being different, let us embrace this diversity.

Let us follow rules. Rules are there for a reason. Fill up necessary forms. Follow traffic regulations. Queue up (huwag sumingit!). Let us step away from the padrino/palakasan system.

Take care of our precious planet. We have only one. Let us not wait for foreigners to clean up our esteros. Let us not wait for the LGUs to start clean up drives. Let us pick up our own trash, and avoid littering altogether. Reuse, Reduce, Recycle!

These are things that we can begin with. All it takes is a simple step. And yes, there are things that our government can do for us, but we must also remember that we as a people have a role to play and the responsibility is ours by birth and by right. To quote the late president John F. Kennedy, "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."



Sharing JFK's speech: http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/John_F_Kennedy/5.htm