A Bucket List for Pilipinas

The last 500 years depict the periods of upheavals and struggles for the Filipinos. The eras of the Spanish conquistadors, Japanese militia and American colonialism reflect the resilience and heart of a nation relentless in the fight for its independence. For the past centuries, Freedom was the battlecry.  And freedom (from foreign occupation) was achieved. When the Marcos dictatorship was overthrown by a revolution of the people, the Filipinos began to see a different but bright future for them. It was 1986 and they had reason to be hopeful. Democracy established itself as a pillar for new nation-building.

Today, as a child of Pilipinas, I see democracy slowly ebb its way out of the system founded with such optimism and idealism. I see a nation still gripped in the throes of corruption, poverty and an unfeeling bureaucracy. Social inequality, or income disparity, remains evident. There is still much to be done. And we cannot solely pin our hopes on PNoy and his campaign of new government. We also have to prove ourselves the concerned Filipinos just as PNoy has to prove himself an able leader.

1. Corruption bogs down the Filipinos. It is public enemy no. 1. Taxpayer’s money must be spent where it is due- infrastructure, social security, health care and education. Our legislators must not be held in the neck by lobbyists with deep pockets or even by their own self interests.  Pork barrel, Jueteng operations and any illegal practice must also be put to a stop. Government must stop selling itself short at the expense of 90M Filipinos.
2. A stronger economic policy wherein the peso remains competitive without being undervalued and industries are infused with enough capital and support for increased leverage in the global market must be created .In a slowdown of global growth, Asia (apart from Japan) has been coming out victorious.  Even the local currency has shown positive gains. Let the Filipinos relish a stronger peso accompanied by a trickle-down of national wealth to the poor households.
3. Apathetic citizens must be invigorated with a sense of nationalism for Pilipinas. This time, the power will be in numbers. There will be no change if people refuse to act on change.  As my sister once said, “the biggest evils come from good people doing nothing.”

Today, Pilipinas faces deep cancers which are challenging to cure and band-aid fixes should not be the recourse. Juan de la Cruz must once again realize that only he has power to truly heal the maladies that plague his home. He only has to keep hoping, fighting for and loving that country with the vibrant history.