National Pride has been Sucked out of Filipinos
The Universe
(February 15, 2004)
THE exodus continues. Thousands flee the Philippines every year to work abroad and become citizens of the country that employ them.
They are willing to endure any hardship, travel any distance, suffer humiliation at the hands of cruel employers and feel the pain loss of their children, husbands and wives. They are the heroes of selfless sacrifice, sending billions of dollars back to their families
Incidentally, these billions are keeping the Philippines economy afloat in a sea of political corruption. Few overseas Filipinos will vote in the coming election in May they are so disgusted with the ineptitude of government to provide basic public services, employment, and an end to violence in the Philippines. That may be a sad failure of civil duty and a lack of national spirit but understandable nevertheless.
They want to become citizens where they are valued. National pride wears thin when poverty, corruption, police harassment, political stagnation, violence, low wages and life-time unemployment are all that awaits them in the Philippines. Once abroad, with decent wages, they work hard without complaint.
So what a shock it is for Filipinos to learn that a famous movie actor, leading presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. is striving to prove he is a natural born Filipino and desperate to shed any vestige of American ancestry.
The once joyous and proud Filipinos, capable of incredible patience and endurance, have been exploited by the shameless selfish elite and dynastic families. The poor get an education as best they can and then a passport. They have had enough.
There are formidable social issues facing any elected president and not many have the credentials to address them with integrity and sincerely. Democracy in the Philippines is the rule of the rich for the rich by the bought votes of the poor, paid for with the national taxes.
Changing this grossly unjust social situation seems a long way off. 80 per cent of the population is Catholic and the majority actively practice their faith but is more devotional than transforming.
The Catholic hierarchy has used its influence to guide government policy (it opposes the death penalty) but it has yet to bring strong social and moral values to bear sufficiently to change the status quo.
Some bishops have been outspoken in criticising political corruption and addressing national issues but now the Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has ruled that the church will speak with one voice on national issues. We pray it will be loud and clear and very soon.
