SECRETARY TOTING BUNYE: One concrete thing we can do is to stop disparaging our country, our leaders and one another. While it is the right of each person to express his opinions, these opinions must be made responsibly and constructively. We must get rid of our crab mentality, of regionalism and the "tayo versus sila" mindset. We only have one country, and what happens to it is not wholly dependent on the government or our leaders, but on how each of us conducts our personal lives. There must be a return to basic values, decency in dealing with each other and inculcating in our children a love of country and a commitment to its future as a nation. I also recommend reading and practicing the 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country written by Alex Lacson – it’s a slim volume that is easy to read, but takes some sacrificing to practice.
JUNJUN CONCEPCION, barangay kagawad, Maybunga, Pasig City: In the wake of economic chaos, miseries, political struggles and socio-moral devastation, we should be united for the common purpose of helping to improve the lot of the masses. To define our role today, we must speak not only of our courage, integrity and loyalty to democracy, but our compassion for our fellow men. We must stand in the frontline of true service and have to endure great sacrifices to help the needy, the sick, the poor and the hopeless, and the victims of injustice. The road will not be easy, but if we work together, we can help build a new Philippines.
Representative RICKY SANDOVAL, Malabon and Navotas: We all need to bring back our love of country and faith in the Filipino. If we feel proud of being Filipinos, we can get out of our comfort zones and try to maximize our potentials to make the Philippines a better place to live in. All of us can succeed, individually or collectively, in varying fields but it’s up to us to make it happen. We can also rebuild our nation by believing that there is hope for each one of us. Hope is ultimately the reason we all keep struggling to make something out of our endeavors. It gives us the joy of anticipation for better opportunities.
MIKA SANTOS, student, 23rd SEA Games athlete: It’s simple, and a lot easier said than done, but every Filipino should learn to love his country. Although it seems difficult because of the political and economic chaos, Filipinos should be reminded that this country is their home, and there really is no place like it. Loving your country means knowing your purpose. If we used our talents and skills (and we are a nation undeniably blessed with talent) for the good of the nation and nothing else, we would get somewhere. There is hardly any unity among Filipinos, but if we do love our country, we can make good things happen.
I’ve been to several Asian countries and I cannot help but admire the uniqueness of each culture. And then they ask me what’s it like in the Philippines, and I can only say, "We Filipinos are very influenced by Western culture, especially American culture, but what I love most about my country is the warmth and unique sense of humor of the people. And I believe we have some of the best beaches and underwater sceneries in the world." It’s a matter of recognizing the things we love about our country, and why it still is worth fighting for.
MAJA OLIVARES-CO, interior designer and farmer: Philanthropy has always seemed like a big word exclusive to the wealthy few who are able to give large endowments to institutions or foundations. In truth, it simply means "voluntary promotion of human welfare." In a nation plagued with corruption, poverty and a bleak future, any small regular philanthropic gesture will amount to something, especially if done collectively. We all have the option to give directly to the intended beneficiaries. However, this could end up as a mere doleout instead of promoting sustainability. Cliché as it may be, the youth are the future of this nation. It is important that we all pitch in for their education and prepare them to live productively. There are many foundations that quietly work on education and livelihood as their mission. For as little as P1, 000 a month, many good things can be done for the betterment of our youth! We don’t need to be a Brooke Astor, Evelyn Lauder or Bill Gates to make a difference. Find your cause! It is time we rose above our conflicts in politics, religion and class for the sake of our children’s future.
SENATOR MANNY VILLAR: We all know that the worsening unemployment rate is one of the perennial problems our country is facing today. There is a scarcity of local job opportunities that many of our countrymen have opted and are opting to seek employment abroad. There is nothing wrong with that – it’s their prerogative – but this mass exodus of Filipino professionals has triggered the issue of brain drain. Whenever I have the chance to speak to young people, especially graduating students, I tell them that since jobs are hard to come by, they should be enterprising and entrepreneurial. As an outspoken proponent of entrepreneurship and the principles of sipag at tiyaga (hard work and persistence), I believe that entrepreneurship has the potential of solving our country’s economic woes. Instead of joining the ranks of employees, our people can strive to be employers by being entrepreneurs. I am even proposing that entrepreneurship be taught in schools extensively. Entrepreneurial education infused in our school system would remove the old archetype of Philippine schools preparing students to be employees. I believe that entrepreneurs are made, not born. As entrepreneurs, we Filipinos can better help in nation building and economic development.
Atty. AMELIA ROMERO-ABLAZA, honorary consul, Republic of Guatemala: Because of my position and the responsibilities it entails, I would speak positively about our country whenever I talk to others whether here or overseas.