Wishes for dear country

Weeks into the New Year, one may ask if it is too early to gauge what has stayed the same and what has changed. Have we really bid adieu to what used to be and waved hello to the dawning of 2002?

One word that could best describe the year that was is "crazy" — at least in general. The showbiz brouhaha, deaths of some celebrities, the unexpected change in leadership, the Labor Day masa action that fizzled out, the circus of corruption and deceit— 2002 comes in with a deep and loud sigh for many of us. Yes, every new year brings hopes and wishes for better things.

I again made a trip to five universities to ask students for their New Year’s wishes.

Their wishes were for our dear motherland and its government. And you know what they say: when you unselfishly wish for others, it will probably come true.

The responses filled me with an immense amount of hope; my peers had good and noble wishes.

I realized that we aren’t simply a generation of text, coffee or gimmick addicts. We really have something to say. If only our local officials read the following and consider, I’m sure they could pick up a thing or two on how to govern the Philippines effectively.

Nicolette Bambao, 19, third year Management student, University of Asia & the Pacific: This year, I wish that the leaders of our country would put aside their selfish motives and even for a short while think about the interest of our ailing nation. I also wish that the rich and affluent Filipinos would find it in their hearts to willingly help our less fortunate brothers.

Instead of lavishly spending precious dollars abroad, they could look into local ventures which could generate jobs for our impoverished country. Perhaps they could donate to scholarship foundations which would give deserving students the opportunity to go to college.

This may be too much to wish for. But I still believe that there is goodness in the heart of every man. I just wish for an awakening.

Meryll Yan, 18, Communication Arts-Legal Management, De La Salle University: I wish that, first, the Philippine government takes concrete steps to help realize the dreams of the less fortunate. Second, I wish the government will preserve the beauty (whatever’s left of it) of our country. Lastly, I wish that the Philippines becomes a nation every Filipino would want to spend his or her lifetime in.

Fritz Espinosa, 19, University of Asia & the Pacific: Having seen a tumultuous 2001, I could only wish for Filipinos to reconcile their differences and foster peace and harmony. I also wish for economic stability for the Philippines and other nations.

Alych De La Costa, 18, Interior Design, University of Santo Tomas: I wish that our government becomes selfless and that its officials rule with complete honesty and dedication. I see that the root cause of our country’s problems is greed. The Philippines can never be too far from development as long as people have faith and show great support to the government. Truly, 2002 will be a year of catching up.

JC Alcazaren, 21, BS Biology, UP Diliman: I wish that government officials would begin to act like men and women of dignity, humility and compassion. I wish that they would become role models for young people—maintaining the moral and intellectual high ground necessary for a leader. Most of all, I wish that a select few would realize that they were not really meant to lead. Please! If you’re not cut out for the job, be gracious enough to admit it.

Lyzen Zapanta, 19, Communication Arts-Advertising Management, De La Salle University: My wish for 2002 is for a strict and proper implementation of intelligently shaped laws. Unfortunately, some of our laws are like couch potatoes and aren’t responsibly implemented. Examples of these are the solid waste management law and the jaywalking law which can solve our country’s problem with garbage and traffic. For these problems to be solved, we have to bear in mind that laws are made to be implemented and not just to be put on display.

Coreen Copuyoc, 19, BS Biology, Ateneo de Manila University: I wish for the acceptance of GMA’s leadership and the cessation of political bickering. I believe that the government should focus on economic recovery to soften the effect of the current worldwide recession.

Paolo Cabañero, 19, BS Management, Ateneo de Manila University: I wish that criminality and dirty politics be cleaned up. I could wish for nothing more than good government and the end of lawlessness. Of course, I also wish that every poor family would be able to receive the help they deserve from the government in terms of clothing, shelter and food. I wish for peace to reign over the country. May 2002 see the beginning of a beautiful Philippine society.

Krista Gutierrez, 21, BS Biology, University of the Philippines-Diliman: My wish for our government officials is to put the people’s needs above their own ambitions and to set aside their differences so they can finally start making real changes that will solve our country’s problems. I hope that this year, our government officials will live simple lives and their reward wouldn’t be fame or riches but making a genuine difference. My wish for our country is for us to stop letting our differences divide us. I wish for peace —in Mindanao, between government parties, on our streets, in our homes and for all of us.

Herbert Hernandez, 20, Advertising Arts, University of Santo Tomas: First, Since our political status is unstable, I wish that politicians would stop bad-mouthing one another. Instead of destroying another’s reputation, they should focus on building a peaceful nation. Second, I also wish that we Filipinos start trusting our own government. Let us let them to do their part. People must stop misjudging our officials for it wouldn’t help in the betterment of our country.

Government should not be considered as entertainment. I wish that in the field of broadcasting, political issues are handled seriously. Media play a big part in molding people’s minds. So I wish for clean and informing media. Lastly, I would certainly wish for nationalism to consume Filipinos. I can’t help but notice that the local industries’ efforts are taken for granted when we know that a lot of us Filipinos actually excel in a lot of fields.