Our Nation’s Two Great Revolution

Just like others, we have our flaws and weaknesses as a nation. These weaknesses get in a way of national progress and peace.

Is there really something wrong with us Filipinos? Why can’t we seem to put our acts together so that we can progress as a nation? This has been the dilemma we have been facing despite of success of two revolutions of our country has gone through. The Philippine Revolution of 1896 and the bloodless EDSA Revolution in 1986 are two great events that bind us as a nation and tested our faith and courage in fighting for our nation liberty. The Filipino race made history in several events which took place in our country. Surely, we have learned and gained insights and lessons from those events that should have made us a better people. But why are there still flaws in our society? Why can’t we seem to direct ourselves towards unity, peace and prosperity? Why can’t we reach progress despite our solidarity and concern for our mother land? These minds were boggling too many questions that keep on hunting us. Research based recommendations and possible solutions have already been offered by experts but they still fall short of expectations. Do we need another revolution? So that we will bind us together as a nation? What kind of revolution do we need this time to push for a genuine breakthrough?

As a concerned and responsible citizens, we have to work and act towards the eradication and redirection of these weaknesses. These includes personal discipline and active involvement in activities, projects and programs which poster and promotes positive values and in the end, address the problems of the nation.

Our National Symbols

The Philippine have many national symbols. This symbol tells many things about our country and people. We have ten (10) national symbols in our country; first we have our National Flag, it symbolizes our independence as a Filipino we should love and respect our national flag. Second, our National Anthem which is the Lupang Hinirang we sing it school every morning as we raised our flag and also sing it during important national occasions. Third, our national tree Narra it is a sturdy and we can produce very good furniture from it. Fourth, our national flower Sampaguita symbolizes the purity of our Filipino women and it has a fragrant it is a small and white flower that can be made into beautiful garlands that sometimes we offer to our foreign visitors. Fifth, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national hero. He died for his love of our mother country---the Philippines. Like, Dr. Rizal we must show in our own way our love for our country. Sixth, our national fish Milkfish, it is a delicious fish that taste very good. Seven, our national animal Carabao, it is an industrious animal and it helps our farmers in the farm. Eight, our national language Filipino as a Filipino we must master our own language and be proud to speak our national language, as what Gat. Jose Rizal state “ang taong hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa mabaho at malansang isda”. Ninth, our national bird Philippine Eagle, it symbolizes high hopes and dreams for our country. Tenth, the Saya and Barong Tagalog our national costumes, we should be proud and wear them during important occasions.

Museums, libraries, historic sites, theaters, and art galleries are places that preserve and interpret our country’s national symbols. It is a place for information that showcases our national symbols and pride. We must patronize and appreciate our national symbols, and expressed our profound love for our country.  The attainment of national development is a goal which every Filipino envisions. However, to realize this dream we should learn the essence of love for our country. This calls among others, the appreciation of our national heritage which consists of the culture of our ancestors had passed on to us. Beneath our regional and cultural differences lies a common thread which binds us as a nation.

Filipino Communities

A community is a will of God. God created the people to be social human beings. It is in their nature to live with others. As such, it is in their nature to create a social group of community.

The Philippine is an archipelago. Our country is surrounded by different bodies of water. The Philippines has many islands. It is divided into three parts. The first part is Luzon which is the biggest. The second bigger part is Mindanao and Visayas is the smallest.

The Philippine is composed of different Filipino communities. These communities are groups of people living together in a place. They are scattered around the archipelago. The people in each community have many things in common. Their dialect is the same; they shared values, beliefs, attitudes and traditions of the people belonging to a Filipino community. The Filipino community has a unique culture around the world and no one’s country has the same cultural pattern as we have. The basic aspiration in creating a community is to uphold the dignity of every human person and of the people as a nation. All things, activities and ways of living in the community must be done for the good of the people.

The Filipino communities have different environment. Some communities live in the highlands for examples the Barrios in which the mountains provide them with everything they need to live. And others live in the lowlands; they find their food in the city. Luzon and Visayas can be found both in the highlands and lowlands while Mindanao can be found also in both lands but some live in boat houses where they depend on the sea for their living. And every Filipino community composed of families. These families may differ in size; small or big. In the cities they are usually composed of small families while in the Barrios consist of big families.

The Philippine is composed of many communities. It may differ in various ways, environment, and means of living and also have different dialects. However, they remain united in spite of their differences. They know they only have just one country--- the Philippines.

Our Country’s Situation

Any country beset with problems it may either conflicts or injustice. Peace is only possible if there is justice. This has been overused saying but it is important for us to reflect and examine our own situations against these statements. There is much to be desired in our Filipino society before we can attain our common aspiration of a just and humane society. There are three aspects of our society, namely: economic, social and political issues, that determine for ourselves how far or how close we are to our society.

Let us first talk, to our Economy our Philippine Economy, our country is experiencing economic crisis in almost simultaneous price increase of basic commodities, and in the increasing rate our of  unemployment due some, no not some but many business establishments closed due to bankruptcy. And most of all the foreign capitalists control the Philippine economy through exportation of agricultural products and on the other hand we import from these countries expensive industrial products. Our economy Poverty is the most serious problem of our nation. There were millions and billions people who suffer for poverty. Unemployment, in the midst of this crisis, many Filipino workers is forced to look for a job aboard.  Housing, majority of the poor do not have a house to live in.

Filipinos social problems, we as a nation has a problem in terms of our social problems one of these problems are the Population Explosion every now and then our population turns to bigger and bigger. Every second there were new babies born to be a part of our nation. But the question is that why there are lots of parents who wanted to make a baby when they both know that they cannot give the full needs of their children especially in the field of education. Education as we Filipino for us, many of us think that education is wealth; these are the treasure we can keep in ourselves forever. As what I read in a newspaper, according to a World Bank report, there are three causes why children cannot continue schooling: (1) hidden expenses in schooling such as uniform and materials; (2) more pressing need to assist the family in its financial problems than schooling; (3) children’s lack of interest.

These are the some problems we can encounter during schooling. 

Our country’s political situation, Politics in the Philippines is controlled by traditional politician who are wealthy and fame. Most of our politician in our country is wealthy persons they have the power to rules in his/her city/municipal. And of course the conflict of the government officials and the rebels like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and many others. The Filipino soldiers sacrifice their life and most especially their families who have no choice but leave their homes to fight against our country. Even though at times we don’t or we keep on asking ourselves what they are fighting for?, are they right? Who’s telling the truth and who’s not? And the last is the destruction of the environment; we experience storms, global warming and many more in our country.  We should take good care of our environment, we should not throw our own garbage, and we should not cut off the trees so that we will not experience great floods in our country.

Overcoming the obstacle presented above we need serious and responsible action not only from the government but from each other. The government alone cannot improve our present national situation. It has its limitation which only active, responsible, and committed citizens can fully complement. The resources of the government are not enough to meet all our needs. Each citizen must learn unleash to his/her own energies and creative powers to attain the shared vision of our Philippine society that is truly humane.

Beautiful Places in the Philippines

God has provided us with everything we need to live a bountiful life. Being blessed with the beauty of nature, our environment we have to realize that is our responsibility to take care of everything that God blessed us and promote its preservation.

The Philippine is a beautiful country. It is called the “Pearl of the Orient Seas”. We should be proud of the scenic places found in our country. Many tourists visit our country to see these attractive places. These special places where given to us by our Almighty Father, we are very lucky for having them. Mayon Volcano it is famous for its almost perfect cone, located in Albay. Rice Terraces can be found in Banawe Mt. Province, it looks like “stairway to the sky”. This unique place for planting rice is considered the eight wonder of the ancient world. It is said that its water can last for the whole year round. Casagwa Church, this place can be found in Albay. This is the remains of a church which was buried in ashes when Mayon Volcano erupted long ago. Chocolate Hills, beautiful spot consists of small hills that look like chocolate from afar, it is located in Bohol. Taal Volcano located in Batangas and considered the smallest volcano in the world. Maria Cristina Falls, beautiful waterfalls located in Lanao Del Norte, Mindanao. National Parks, Philippine also has attractive national parks, and they usually big places like Lineta, the most noted park in Manila where we find the Rizal Monument. It is here where Rizal executed by the Spaniards. Fort Santiago is also noted park in Manila we find here where Rizal was imprisoned. Manila Zoo which we find various kinds of animals. And the Nayong Pilipino also a wide park, many small replicas of different spots in the Philippines can be found there.

Our country’s natural resources has for a long time seemed unlimited. Our forests and mountains were among the richest sources of first-class lumber and mining products, while our seas and rivers abounded with numerous forms of marine life. Unfortunately, this is no longer true today. Years of abuse have resulted in the destruction of our natural resources. The whole of our planet is endangered. In response to this, we should develop the attitude of stewardship. We should realize that the earth’s resources are limited, and that we are merely caretakers of our nature. It is in God’s gift to us, and we should not abuse it. Rather, it is our duty to ensure that these resources are not wasted but preserved.

Filipinos are Creative People

We Filipinos are known for our positive outlook in life despite the many obstacles we encounter. One reason for this attitude is that we possess talents that help us face our own problems confidently. We are able to improvise and utilize scarps and discarded materials in order to come up with innovative devices or inventions. But the most responsible for this optimism is our creativity. Creativity refers to the ability to see things in new and unusual ways, and therefore the individual allows coming up with ideas that no one lese sees. The key is to transform creative potentials into productivity which results to discoveries, initiatives and other unique and novel products.

It is known to many that everyone is capable of creativity, because a creative mind is able to visualize the dreams and ideals of a life better than which presently exists. Of course, the road to success is full of failures and disappointments but creative minds do not hesitate. Their minds speak and will their fellowmen with an attitude of willingness and respect. A creative mind is also imaginative it discovers many things. It uses the knowledge to dreams ideas that are not only novel but are workable as well. It takes risks and invests in transforming thoughts into reality: It creates tools, equipments and other products that provide mankind a better quality of life.

Still, to be truly creative, one needs to be focused on specific personal and national goals. Without these, there would be no reason for one to put one’s creative ability to work. In other words we need the kind of motivation that would push us to do what we should do.

We are truly a creative people. This is evident in the many fields of endeavor that we venture into, resulting in productivity and innovation. As concerned citizens, we should unleash and enhance the creative spirit of the Filipino. We should use it as a tool for national recovery. Let us therefore utilize this resource so we can help ourselves and our nation is solving economic problems.

Education means improving the Quality of Learning

Aim high so that even before you reach your goal you will have done much for

yourself and other people.

We all know that education is very important to each one of us because only education is the greatest treasure a parents can gave to his children. Examples of these principles are to learn new things and to observe and experience all the things around us we need to study so that we can know and explain it briefly. (2) Like now in our century/years there are many new technologies in learning by which we got more information and knowledge. There is no stopping this global development in this emerging new would. It can only be met and welcomed with new ways of thinking which in turn, must be mustered  though new ways of learning. (3) Both thinking and learning go hand in hand or they must be equal to the challenge and all the opportunities of the unfolding global would. (4) That education must serve society as an instrument of fostering the creating advancement, and disseminations of knowledge and that the triple goals of equality, relevance and excellence must prevail in policy making, planning and excellence. (5) We must pursue the ultimate goal of education, which is to enable our children to attain the fullest realization of their potentials and their dreams.

We should realize that education contributes to the liberation of people and their full development. It is very essential to achieving progress and to the building of a democratic society where people can participate consciously and critically in national decision making.

Filipino Values and the Elderly

Filipino possesses a genuine and deep love for family. This involves not only the parents, children and siblings; it also comprises the grand parents, aunts, uncle cousins, grand parents and other relatives. For us, one’s family is the sources of personal identity, emotional and materials support and one’s main commitment and responsibility. And this concern for family is manifested in various forms, one of which is the honor and respect given to parents and the elders. We tend to act in such a respectful manner because we possess values that guide us to do so, that is why it is inherent in us to treat the elderly with love, care and respect. Caring for the country’s senior citizens is deeply rooted in our Filipino culture and tradition.

The desire to care for our elderly comes from our gratitude to our parents for the love and care they showered us and the things they have done to us. As we grow up, they nurtured, educated and guided us. They gave us all they had. While in the prime of their lives, they even made sacrifices towards the building of our nation. Their contributions were not for themselves done, but for the present and future generation.

We should not only recognize and accept this, but also strive to do the same. But for our actions to be truly meaningful, we must give voluntarily. Let us remember that love and respect must prevail in treating and interacting with our elders. This is the Filipino way.

The Filipino Traits

We, Filipinos have many good traits that were taught to us by our ancestors. We are hospitable; we accommodate our visitors with warmth and generosity. We are industrious people, we don’t want to waste our time and we love to work. Polite, we respect our older and we use “po” and “opo” when we talk to them. Thrifty, we Filipinos know how to save; we don’t waste time, money and effort. Cheerful, we are cheerful, we always smile at people and we try to make friends with others. Close family ties, we love our family, we respect each members of our family and we always get together especially during special occasions and Sundays. Honest, we always tell/speak the truth and we accept our mistakes. Nationalistic, we love our country and we respect our flag, we patronize our own products and our duty to help our country to become progressive. God-loving, we are religious people, we love our God very much and we pray and thank him for all the graces he always showers to us. Artistic we excel all forms of art, sing, dance, act, and draw and paint too.