June 12 signifies the commemoration of our independence from the control and orders of some external forces. Although the first Philippine Republic was very short lived, it has left a legacy which we will cherish for as long as the world will exist.
Aside from the parade and other nationalistic activities and the holiday from work and school, independence day should be a reminder for us to measure whether or not we have truly achieved independence. Independence is not only limited to the absence of actual usurpation by a foreign power into our territorial jurisdiction but must also be viewed in relation to some indirect manner of controlling us, sometimes without our knowledge and sometimes with our consent. Independence must not also be limited to the collectivity but also individually. Independence must be holistic.
The neo imperialistic policies of other states have pervaded us to the extent of diffusing our own identity. Why are the youth so into Justin Bieber? Why do Filipinos prefer foreign products? Why are the names of Filipino babies foreign sounding? Why are the books we read and use in school authored by foreigners? These are some of the salient manifestations that we are not yet truly independent. When I say the latter statement, I have considered every other arguments so as not to sound hypocrite.
If we reconsider our forefathers' objective in seeking the independence of the Philippines from the Spaniards, the Japanese and the Americans, it would point out to one thing--IDENTITY! We wanted to assert our identity as Filipinos (or whatever we were called prior to that name). We wanted them to know that we can stand on our own, that we can govern our own affairs and that we can be at par with the others. The recent developments in the political, social and economic arena have ostensibly led us to give up some of our identity. The internet for instance is a melting pot of information--both good and bad. It is also the primary source of influence which slowly erodes our identity through the easy access to foreign materials which are labeled "better" than our own. The educational institutions which should be the principal molder of our children's nationalism sometimes are also the primary cause why they lose their identity. Nevertheless, it is recognize that the doctrine of auto-limitation is operative in our jurisdiction, thus, whenever we allow foreign powers or authorities or organizations to occupy some of our territories or exercise jurisdiction in some of our political, economic and social spheres, these acts are not necessarily void but are valid as long as they do not violate any provision of our laws and Constitution.
According to last Sunday's message, we can also never be truly independent if we do not have a Supreme Being to whom we can entrust everything which we deem impossible to do within our human capacity. To this end, independence really lies within us. If we individually develop our identity as Filipinos, as lovers of freedom and democracy and of our country, as protectors of our liberty and as a good citizen of the international community, no foreign influence no matter how strong will be able to change what we are. The individual perspective if brought in the collective arena will display our Filipino nation's insignia--we are brown, we are short, but we are brave, we are independent.
Adsum
June 14, 2011
10:44 am
