"Tell me, for I have never come across it; at what period in our history did our people stop fighting oppression? Armed with little more than an enduring heart, an ear for music, and a longing for justice without which there could never be harmony, they have for centuries pursued a dream that will not die: the dream of a noble society. They have been - they still are - deceived and deprived, defeated and defamed. Yet they struggle on, however humbling, mistaken or misguided their efforts may at times seem to us."
The above is a quote from "The Land and Martial Law" by Jose W. Diokno. Diokno, a Filipino lawyer, champion of human rights, street parliamentarian was arrested during the martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos and held without charges for two years. Jose W. Diokno, a brave man believed in the steadfast courage of the Filipino soul. Many Filipinos believe he should have been a very good President.
In the midst of the present day widespread corruption and despotism in our country, the Filipino spirit which Diokno saw among his people may yet ignite the flame of passion for liberation from another era of economic, political and moral tyranny. Signs are a-borning. Young people with fresh ideas and pure intentions are getting involved in governance as shown in the last Barangay (smallest unit of government) elections. The not-so-young but with youthful idealism--like the Ang Kapatiran Party members-- going to the grassroots to conduct basic values and political education. The priest-on-leave and new Pampanga Governor-elect, Among Ed Panlilio, embarking in an audacious quest for honesty and pro-people, pro-God leadership. And many more... showing that the Filipinos are by nature, righteous, freedom-loving and a decent race.
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The disgruntled go to the streets, shout slogans throw a few molotovs at the cops lining Malacanang. Some flood the editorials with scathing lines of protest. You'd also see a few filibusters denouncing corruption on the Senate floor.
Then the next day, life goes on as though nothing happened. That's the problem in 3rd world countries. After all, what change can we expect in a nation where the people itself empowers cretins and miscreants to run daily affairs
You are right Jake. Majority of the Filipinos are powerless and become willing victims of scheming politicians.
Poverty is one big cause of powerlessness. They are powerless and poor because they are ignorant and without opportunity to improve their lot.
Poverty-ignorance-lack of opportunity-powerlessnes-poverty; and on and on in dizzying spiral, sucking everybody into its pit. It is a vicious cycle.
Where do we start? If we are not policymakers and executors of programs of government nor lawmakers, maybe we can start from our little spheres of influence--within our family, our household staffs, laborers, employees.... and so on.
Many first world nations are poorest in natural resources. Japan is all mountain. Saudi is mostly arid desert. Switzerland is all snowy alps.
But they're roaringly wealthy. The secret? It was revealed in an obscure doctoral dissertation at Harvard (read The Naked Economist).
It's human capital. First worlders have better quality attitude. That's it.
The dissertation revealed something else too. The attitide of first worlders followed two formulas observed among superior nations.
Formula One
Social Progress is InDirectly proportional to the length and intensity of Catholic Presence in the country (in other words, more church influence, less social political and scientific progress)
Formula Two
Social Progress is Directly Proportional to the lack of of natural resources. In other words, more natural resources equals more indolent people and ultimately lower progress.
Definitely something I see in this country.
Embedded in your 2 formulas Jake is the solution to our situations. We need a strengthening of our individual and social moral fabrics--the Catholic & other sect heirarcy can be in its forefront-- and the character change can result to more efficient and productive management of our resources.
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