"These things happen. We survive, and deal with the damage, with the help of the international community. Along the way, there will be chaos, and infuriating reports of corruption and ineptitude; there will be storms of blame, but we get up and collect ourselves."
– Jessica Zafra, When Haiyan Struck
Sometimes I wish the Filipinos aren't so relient. Sometimes I wish the Filipinos don't believe too much that we are resilient. Sometimes I wish we don't adapt to external factors so well. Sometimes I wish we aren't likened to bamboo so strongly that we live up to it unconsciously. Sometimes I wish we don't bow down so easily to powers that be. Sometimes I wish we don't feel so victimized when we become so helpless. Sometimes I wish we stop putting up with the terrible things that befall us. Sometimes I wish we'd just snap and say, "That's it. We've had enough."
Because how fares the populace that sways as the breeze dictates? Can't we be represented by a metaphor of a stronger tree that stands firm come winds and hail?
I've read an opinion piece some weeks ago about how this nation venerates the heroes who died in the hands of the enemies, instead of heroes who fought and defeated the enemies. Why are we so keen on becoming martyrs? Why do we place others so high above us?
I know it's the ultimate sacrifice, to die for the motherland. ("...Ang mamatay ng dahil sa'yo.") But can't we live first? Can't we fight and put the oppressors in their right place? Remain standing, instead of bowing all the time? Can't we go, bitch, please?
It was this bitch, please mode that got me applauding Senator Santiago's questioning of the alleged Pork Barrel Scam mastermind during the Senate probe a week ago. She's like, "Stop making us look so bloody stupid. We're smarter than you're making us out to be. Frickin stop treating us like idiots and give us the truth." It was my frustration, everybody's frustration, that the Senator put into words, into un-patronizing questions, into the grilling.
I wish I could live to see the day when it's the abusers that will tremble at the prospect of doing something wrong to this nation.
But, right now, even my eight year-old brother is already fed up. "Gusto ko na lang maging dayuhan," in that strange "malalim na Tagalog" of his.
Lo the rant of the baffled and frustrated apathetic patriot with a misplaced sense of nationalism.
Lo the rant of the baffled and frustrated apathetic patriot with a misplaced sense of nationalism.
