A Movement: Real Filipino Independence through Real Patriotism

"Isang pagpupugay sa mga naging dahilan ng kalayaang tinatamasa at sa mga taong patuloy na ipinaparanas ang tunay na kahulagan ng pagiging malaya."

("A great admiration to all the causes of the freedom that we enjoy, and to all the people who continually letting us experience the meaning of being free.")

Freedom when defined in the age of antiquity could be so different by how we define it nowadays. The cry of the people in the past for freedom might be about human slavery but in our age our cry might be about freedom to education. There are big differences now, but the cries for freedom still remain. The world had fought many battles, and had sacrificed many souls in the promise of freedom. Many passions and great names with the quality of patriotism were known and all boils down to the quest of true and absolute liberty. In a sense, we have partially stepped forward toward the goal. We have discovered brave minds who challenged the status quo to bring the next generation a better place to live in. 

Since the dawn of this century, wars and pestilences are declining and the sense of good life is being laid down as the main agenda. Many countries are now taking time to improve the quality of living and to safeguard the future of their citizens. 

Philippines, as part of emerging countries, that has a very rich and inspiring history, have come across with very gloomy and challenging journeys. Each focal point in our history gave birth to brilliant and courageous personalities whose intentions were purer and revolutionary; to make the pearl of the orient finally raise it's non-mediocre liberty.

The truth is, our dear country is not yet free in a total sense and it is in fact very far from true liberty. There are notions of colonial mentality which still weakens our real identity and even perhaps lead us to unconscious slavery. 

The only way to eradicate this notion is to improve our consciousness on "Real Filipino Independence" and to instill in the minds of men the "Real Patriotism". "Real Filipino Independence" is when Filipinos' inner emotions are not influenced and derived by the outside country around. It is when the decisions, either in the personal sense, or political and economical sense, are all serving the Filipino's purpose to achieve good life. If all Filipinos are not relying their happiness and satisfaction on other countries, then that is the time that we can call ourselves truly independent. 

Real Patriotism is needed to fuel "Real Filipino Independence", Patriotism in the past may mean dying for the country, hand a gun and shoot people who will try to steal our freedom but Patriotism in the present is of different delight, it is now trending to building love, content and value as Filipino living in this country. 

I have listed a few of my suggestions to express Patriotism and help Filipinos direct their thoughts to Real Filipino Independence: 

1) Real Patriotism is to be able to follow the Country's rules and laws with understanding and solidarity.

A country without a structure is a country at a lost. All things need order; our universe needs to be in order to maintain its balance. If it fails, then we will all be in chaos. If some Filipinos would follow a certain law and others violate it, then the movement of the country will be slowed. Violations in the rules might be rooted from ignorance or lack of education. This means that Filipinos need to give importance to education, we might have big flaws on our educational system, but knowing when to cross the street and when to use the overpass is not that difficult to learn, isn't? 

If all Filipinos will respect laws and rules of the country, then our country will hasten its progress as well as it can promote over all solidarity. 

2) Real Patriotism is being able to appreciate, value and support the art and culture of the country. 

A country without art and culture is dead. As an independent country, we should have a certain identity and pride. The arts and cultures are reflections of the rich minds of the people. If we were able to give value and pride on it, the potentials of improving it will get high. Hence, this can also be part of the quality resource of a country. This resource can be a trademark of a country which will boost the esteem of each Filipino. Try to recall how many times have you watched K-dramas than our own indie films? or perhaps, try to check our song list in our mobile phone to count how many songs are Filipino? 

3) Real Patriotism is being able to inspire the young minds to make a difference.

The future belongs to children, our role as adults is to pave a good path for our children to pass. It is important that we start honing and developing the understanding of young minds about different areas as well as the area on patriotism. At an early age, we can guide them to give value on education and the development of right character. Then, we could guide them to be a good citizens, having a high moral responsibility among their countrymen.

There are many initiatives we could do as an individual. To me, it is through right example and good environment fostered with love and support which will really make our young minds be ready for the holistic movement for the future of the country. 

4) Real Patriotism is to be optimistic about the fate of our country.

Nothing will work out if we always try to put or countries down. If we focus on the negatives, then our whole mental energies will be directed on it and it might collectively affect others on how they see our beloved Philippines. To practice patriotism is to consider the facts as challenges and always try to seek for improvements. Help in the process and try to consider the positive sides with the thinking of improving it more. 

5) Real Patriotism is to take care its Natural Resources and Preserve the Ethnic Footprints of the Land.

All our brave ancestors who fought for our freedom and died in our land were buried deeply with their passions and hopes. Our land, including its mountainous and rich islands are reflections of our own dignity. If we let our country lose its beauty and richness, then we are self-harming our own identity. 

6) Real Patriotism is to live in Integrity and Love with Compassion to All Beings.

Real Patriotism is fighting for freedom without being selfish. Freedom is being free from any controls, including selfish motives. Let us not let our patriotism be a blurring glass for us to see the real sense of being free. The real sense of being free is to be free from impurities and corruptions in the mind.

As you can see. i do not include some trivial things a country should have to be independent, such as secure high GDP, be excellent in information technology, etc., but i have included here the very basic things an individual can do to be really an Independent Filipino.

Philippines is on its far journey towards real liberty. As of now, we are still in the process of improving our consciousness along side with political and economical issues. Freedom will be like a "wifi" in the next decades to come. It may not be that soon, but we are not very far if we do not lose our track. Filipinos really need to be serious on addressing the factors that bind them to be slaves of other countries. Slavery at this time can fit in many forms, and our role is to transmit to our young generations the right understanding about what do we really mean about "Real Filipino Independence" and "Real Patriotism".

#DearJohn.
#nosred