Filipino Patriotism
Posted on Monday, 30 June 2014
Filipino
Patriotism
By Apolinario Villalobos
Patriotism is nationalism – love of
country. The extreme manifestation is fighting to death for the sake of one’s
country. Filipinos are proud to use such adjective for themselves. Such show of
patriotism was done first at the shores of Mactan Island in the province of
Cebu where the Spanish Magellan was slain by Lapu-lapu, a local chieftain. The
manifestation went on with the fight against Spain whose “conquest” of the
country was made possible with the use of the cross. Later, the Filipinos
showed this zeal against the Americans and Japanese.
Today, the patriotic fervor of the radical
Filipinos consistently shows their disgust for the Americans whom they accuse
of discreetly controlling the Philippine government. Unfortunately, this
unrestrained outpouring of emotion results to vandalism. These are seen on
defaced walls, bridges and fences spray-painted with communistic slogans,
anti-American and anti-Filipino administration messages, not to mention the caricatures
of hated local officials and whoever American president is sitting at the White
House.
The radical groups keep on holding rallies
at the US embassy and set aside the crucial issue against the intrusion by
China of the West Philippine Sea. They do not hold rallies against the dumping
of electronic waste in the country by other countries, the factories that dump
waste into Pasig River and Manila Bay, the issue on Manila being developed by
foreign drug lords as a distribution hub in Asia, and the constantly rising tuition fees and
prices of basic commodities, to name a few. These groups that carry red banners
and streamers painted with hammer and sickle disrupt traffic on their way to
Malacanan and US embassy…all because, they thought, they are patriotic, and to
which I must honestly, though, partly conform.
For a change, why can’t these groups call
the attention of local governments on the stinking public toilets and waterways
clogged with garbage in their respective domains?…the beggars who literally
convert sidewalks into makeshift homes and who should be given assistance by
their respective social welfare offices?...the street urchins who are supposed
to be rounded up and sheltered in juvenile homes?...the Badjaos who should be
trained on livelihood endeavors rather than be tolerated begging in the
streets?...and many more issues that could better occupy their time than
harangue the Americans?
As a Filipino, I am also affected by the
so-called “mismanagement” of our country resulting to the rampant corrupt
practices, so deeply rooted that solutions seem to be no longer in sight. As an
individual, though, I must admit that I am just an obscure voice in the
wilderness of discontent. I want to be part of a movement for a patriotic
advocacy, but how can I be encouraged to do it when all I see are groups that
see violent acts as the only way of being heard? Never have I seen an attempt
for restraint on their part. It seems that the more violent and provocative
actions they have, the better for them to attract the attention of the
media…hence, the better for their cause.
Filipino patriotism should be tinged with
values for which we are known. We are a non-violent and resilient race and our
values should be manifested in all we do…including protest actions.
Discussion