Filipino People Are Evil! (A horrible remark)
It is already June 13th, which also happens to be a friday, but the subject of this blog is not really about friday the 13th but rather about this much talked about “Independence Day”. Filipinos from all around the globe and certain parts of the country have simultaneously raised the Philippine flags and have proudly showed to the world that the Filipino people are the strong forces that have made the Philippines a country that it has become now.
Prior to this independence day that all of us are enjoying right now, lots of battles and blood have been shed, many of our forefathers have sacrificed their lives in order for us to enjoy the freedom and democracy that some of us right now are taking for granted. To show your love for country, you don’t need to become a prominent political figure, a rich person, or someone who has great power. Anyone, it doesn’t matter who you are, have the power to show their Filipinism by doing small things. If you add up the small good deeds that you do, it will pile up to a greater kind of positive thing.
I have heard lots of people who are losing hope for this country made negative comments. They said most of the government officials are corrupt, that the only people who are getting richer and richer are those who are already rich, that the only hope for everyone to have a better job and future is to go to other richer countries. Yes, sometimes I feel that too and I could not disagree more, because like most of them, my family have been a victim of this echoing poverty as well that most of our countrymen are still suffering from.
One thing that strucked me most though was the incident and a conversation that happened between me and my cousin. She was working (she still is) as a Medical Representative. Her job requires her to travel all the time. She did not have a provided car by her company (she still don’t have), therefore she has to take the public transportation. It actually happened a few years back. The jeepney operators and drivers have embarked on a massive “Tigil-pasada” campaign, due to the increasing prices of oil and gas. Because of that, she did not go to work that particular day for fear that something bad might happen while she’s on the road. Aside from that, it would be difficult to find a ride because 85 percent of the drivers and operators have joined the rally. She made this horrible remark “demonyo talaga ang mga Pilipino!”, sorry for the term, folks. I was speechless for a moment and did not know what to say because I didn’t want to offend her by reacting violently. If you were in my shoes in that very moment, what would have you done or said?
In my case, I have explained to her that the things these rallyists are doing are not only for themselves, they’re fighting for something that all of us will benefit in the long run. I also told her that we should be thankful instead because there are still people like them nowadays who are standing and fighting for those who can’t. From the looks of it, what these people are doing is not easy. It takes a lot of guts and sacrifice in order for them to do what they do. For me, they are the remnants of our hero ancestors who have put aside their personal safety and interests for the sake of other people, and should be applauded and be given due respect. I was hurt and angry with her remark. I could have easily told in front of her face “You are Pilipino, does that mean you are “demonyo also?”, or since when did you become an “American?”
The message that I want to send to my fellow Filipinos is simple… Let us change the way we think about our country. We should be more positive about it, love it with all our hearts, and don’t lose hope… Our country may not be as prosperous as other neighboring countries, but this is what we only have and we should be proud of it. “Let us show some respect for those who died in order for us to live”. I’m Proud to be Pinoy!
