125 Years Free

25 years ago, my dad and I sat along the edge of the barrier along Roxas Boulevard fronting Quintos Street. Along with the sea of humanity behind us and beside us, the centennial celebration started with a solitary red firework the flew from one of the barges and slowly trickled down the black Manila Bay sky. Following that was a magnificent spectacle of different fireworks that still wows me to this very day. It was well worth the wait and long commute. Too bad there were no mobile phones or digital cameras, but it doesn’t matter. That event, even for a bit, made everyone feel proud to be Filipino.

As we commemorate the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence today, it's important to pause and consider what true freedom really means. The war for freedom within our society and ourselves may have been won on the battlefield 125 years ago, but it hasn't ended the fight for independence. Many generations have come and gone, and it is time to face the contradictions and flaws that keep our country from progressing. We can only properly respect and appreciate the sacrifices of our ancestors and pave the road for a better future by engaging in self-reflection and making a communal commitment to change. A true, actionable, and scalable at that.

Independence should not just be a mere illusion. In our search for independence, we frequently discover that our behavior is self-destructive. Instead of uplifting people, we criticize and malign them. Instead of delivering words of encouragement, we spread rumors (A.K.A. Marites). We tend to see flaws rather than the good this neighbor has done. These tendencies are more suggestive of a cycle of negativity that impedes our advancement than of a society that is truly free. It is time to abandon these habits and adopt a caring, more helpful attitude toward one another.

To embrace this shift, integrity should be nurtured. It is impossible to talk about the difficulties the Filipino people confront without bringing up the subject of lawfulness. We must face the depressing fact that many of our fellow citizens find it difficult to uphold the legal requirements of our country. There is a central tendency to look for help or padrinos when dealing with government transactions, for one. In other instances, most drivers along the North or South Expressways occupy the left lane which is an overtaking lane. They stay there with the thought that “Hey I’m going at the speed limit so go line up behind me”. No consideration for other road users at all. When the stoplight turns yellow, most interpret it as “Go Faster”. And where else in the world can you find drivers who do not prioritize pedestrians? But when we travel to other nations, we strictly adhere to laws and regulations. This inconsistency demonstrates a disregard for our own nation, its laws, and its citizens. We must work to change this and foster a society that values honesty and responsibility.

Moreover, there is this distinct oxymoron with our religious beliefs and the way we act. As a largely Catholic country, our ingrained religious traditions should direct us towards morally upright deeds. The paradox is that many of us Filipinos attend church, pray, and participate in religious rituals while yet acting in ways that go against the principles we profess to embrace. It is crucial to close this gap between faith and deeds, allowing our religious beliefs to motivate us to improve as people and positively impact our community.

To claim to be truly free, we must change as a society. We need to get rid of the bad habits that hold us back and replace them with compassion, kindness, and respect. Let's encourage one another, acknowledge one another's accomplishments, and be there for each other when we fall. Let's uphold the law, realizing that doing so is not a show of weakness but rather of our dedication to a just society. Allowing our faith to influence our moral compass and direct us toward kindness, let's incorporate it into our daily lives.

As we celebrate the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence, let us not forget that true freedom is not only obtained through political liberation but also through a profound transformation of our society and ourselves. This contemplation serves as a reminder of the areas within our Filipino identity that require improvement. It serves as a call to action, asking all Filipinos—students, teachers, politicians, police, armed forces and Filipinos from all walks of life—to promote harmony, compassion, and honesty. We can create a better future for our country by tackling these issues and working toward good change, genuinely respecting the sacrifices made by those who fought for our independence.