Saturday, February 25, 2006
People Power
I'm doing our project in economics - or at least, i'm pretending to do it.
It's all about Philippine Trade Relations with the EU. I was looking for info and stumbled upon this from the DTI website (I partly work for this agency all because of the essay thing before.. haha..)
Why the Philippines?
Quality Manpower and Resources
The Filipino workforce is one of the most compelling advantages the Philippines has over any other Asian country. With higher education priority, the literacy rate in the country is 94.6% - among the highest. English is taught in all schools, making the Philippines the world's third largest English-speaking country. Every year, there are some 350,000 graduates enriching the professional pool.
For real? Please tell me I'm not hallucinating.
I have this unwavering faith in my people, but seriously, where is the 94.6% you're talking about? Where are those 350,000 graduates "enriching" the professional pool?
So no classes yesterday- because of the state of emergency.
Apparently,most of those who belong to the 94.6% are not exactly the smart, sane bunch that I imagined. They just happen to know how to read and right.
Why the Philippines?
You see, all my life, I have never wished to be something else like American, Japanese or French (although I am in love with their culture). I have always been proud of our heritage, and I'm even prouder to have grown with a family that treasures Filipino values and idealism.
My grandparents and relatives would always recount their bittersweet days during the martial law. I am so proud to know that my parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles have been part of the thousands who marched in the streets for democracy.
I have an uncle who got kicked out of school because of student activism.
wagi diba?I envy my older cousins everytime they recall how they viewed the EDSA revolution, perched on their dads' shoulders. People Power to them then meant nuns and soldiers holding hands in prayer. Teachers, construction workers, drivers- everyone then knew that they had an important role to fill, and they were doing something really worthy.
In my family, I have been taught to be fully responsible as a young citizen. I may not exactly be a model student, but at least I am aware of how much i owe my country. I was more idealistic when i was younger. Back then- entertainment meant the news and quality reading meant the Constitution and The Revised Penal Code.
That was a long time ago.
Now, I'm a bit older, and just as I thought that I know more, things don't make much sense to me anymore.
I used admire people like Satur Ocampo, Randy David, Teddy Casino...
But do they know better?
Is there really a cause?
Are they really fighting for democracy?
Or are they merely abusing it?
Two years ago, i made a promise to myself-
I shall never march in the streets again,
unless I see that it's for a cause truly worth fighting for.
C h i n i k a n i M i m o s e n u n g b a n d a n g 8:28 PM
