I feel this pride whenever I listen to the poignant and soulful music of our great composers and musicians like Ryan Cayabyab, Coke Bolipata, Louie Ocampo and Joey Ayala. And when I detect the passion in the work of accomplished Filipinos who have lived abroad for many years, but who continue to relentlessly pursue and promote Filipino culture and the arts like Jorge Ortoll of the Mayi Theater, Michael Dadap of the Children’s Orchestra Society, NY, and Josie Natori of the Asian Cultural Council. I feel it whenever I listen to the words of musicals like Alikabok, a story about a heroine during the Philippine revolution, or movies like Marilou Diaz Abaya’s Bagong Buwan which will open the Asian Film Festival at the Asia Society Museum, New York, in July.
I feel this pride when I have the privilege to participate in promotional programs for our country abroad and the Philippine delegation, with little flags on our lapels, act and speak in one voice for God and country. I feel it whenever I am with impassioned nationalists who cry out in longing and give of themselves selflessly for a better Philippines. There are so many and they inspire me. I feel proud whenever Filipinos defy the negative forces that surround them, when they excel and are recognized. I feel great whenever I catch the Department of Tourism’s "WOW" ads on CNN. And when abroad, I meet Filipino cruise ship personnel, seafarers, nurses, musicians, nannies – enthusiastically offering the best services in the world.
I feel this pride whenever we have a chance to relive our past heritage – whenever I visit a restored house or building, or visit one of our beautiful natural sites. And when I am in Corregidor, which is a great historical legacy built out of the dedication and work of the late Col. Alfred Xeres-Burgos. Thank you, Colonel. It was a great privilege and honor to work with you.
However, my revelry is too often dampened by reality. I do not feel proud when we make every human effort to destroy what we have been blessed with: our natural resources, our heritage and culture, our reputation as people with honor, our work ethic, the earnest and trusting nature of the Filipino, and our potential to succeed and to prosper. I do not feel good about being a Filipino when ego, greed and selfish objectives take precedence over the common good. I am embarrassed whenever an event or a business transaction is accompanied by conflict and controversy. I do not think it is easy to be Filipino when, instead of having wind behind our sails, we are burdened by an anchor that drags us down. I do not feel pride when the majority of our fellow Filipinos suffer from poverty, absence of public services and hope.
John N. Schumacher, S.J.’s book, The Making of a Nation, describes the Philippines in 1895 as having a "bludgeoning economy…but where the instability of the ruling parties (Liberals and Conservatives) in Spain made it impossible to develop any consistent policy for the overseas colonies. Worse, both parties used the Philippines as a dumping ground to reward party hangers-on with jobs, each ready to line their pockets with Filipino money. Far worse in many ways than the corruption of the government was its inability to provide for basic needs of public works, schools, peace and order, and other prerequisites to even a semi-modern economy."
Since nothing much has changed since the 1900s, it is possible that we have not yet attained the deeper dimension of true freedom that we, on Independence Day, should be celebrating.
Perhaps we should retrace our steps to Jose Rizal who desperately sought an understanding and knowledge of ourselves to help determine the pattern for the future. He believed that "knowledge of our history will offer the key to national identity and corresponding orientations for future development."
Independence Day should reinforce our desire to be free. Now that we don’t have a foreign colonial enemy, we must break away from the self-imposed bondage of our own inner enemies that we have accepted and indulged in for too long.
An inspiring experience of the Filipino spirit which I found to be free can be felt at an impressive must-see exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum Manila on Roxas Boulevard. "Quiapo: The Arts of a City District" is a journey into our historical past and shows us the dynamism, entrepreneurship, creativity and progressiveness of Filipino individuals in business, literature and the arts, and spiritual life, resulting in an infectious vibrancy which we can emulate for our future.
Alikabok the Musical by Ryan Cayabyab and Noel Balmaceda, directed by Tony Espejo will have its gala night on Aug. 7 to benefit Asia Society’s Filipino and Proud programs. To reserve tickets, call Asia Society at 752-43-74.