There will always be Easter for Filipinos

French writer Francois de Rochefoucauld once said that the last thing that dies in man is hope. He probably is talking about the Filipino — because if there’s any characteristic at all that enables the Filipino to survive even the most trying circumstance, it’s his great capacity to hope, his unswerving belief that things will always get better no matter what. As a matter of fact, global surveys have revealed that compared to others, Filipinos are among the happiest people not only in Asia but the rest of the world.

Despite the difficulties we face as a nation today, many Filipinos, especially those who have been living abroad, have the biggest hope for the Philippines. Most of them who have lived in many places all over the world are slowly coming back, appreciating what some of us take for granted.

Those young people who are coming back home after living abroad for many years can in fact make a big difference having a global perspective. Many of them after studying abroad can bring new ideas and knowledge they have acquired, which could help the Philippines take its rightful place in the global arena — at par with the rest of the developing world.

It’s so ironic that Filipinos who have lived in the Philippines most of their lives take this country for granted. They look at the trees and not the forest — thus failing to appreciate the many things that this country has been blessed with. For one thing, the weather alone is something that people should be thankful for.  

A lot of Americans pay a premium just to be able to live in Hawaii and Florida and enjoy the sunny and temperate weather in tropical countries like the Philippines. One foreign visitor described the Philippines as “a piece of heaven,” and even the Chinese foreign minister who visited Cebu recently couldn’t help but be impressed, calling the province a “unique corner of paradise.”     

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano was not kidding when he said that 250,000 locals will tour the country during the Holy Week. Judging from the traffic going to so many places especially in the south, it looked like the actual figure for local tourists is really 300,000 — perhaps the highest number in any single month for domestic travel. As a matter of fact, airlines confirmed that all their flights going to favourite travel spots like Bohol, Boracay and Palawan were fully booked even before the onset of the Holy Week. Even trips by land to Batangas and Mindoro were full. It’s that time of the year when Filipinos get to appreciate the blessings of their country. 

More than eight million Filipinos take the opportunity to become tourists in their own country, and the number has been consistently increasing during the past three years, with figures hitting as much as 10 million locals enjoying the sights and sounds of the country. The increased number of domestic tourists is an obvious proof that the economy is getting healthier. Skeptics and cynics will always find something negative to complain about. Of course, the effects of the economy are not trickling down fast enough, but at least it’s reaching out to the lower levels of society through domestic tourism. Getting the economy into top shape cannot be accomplished overnight.

This is probably why we continue to have a political divide. But fortunately, there is a persistent feeling of hope by many people that one day, this country will rise up from the political and social morass it is experiencing. People are getting tired of “trapos” — traditional politicians with their incessant wrangling for more influence and power. After all, we all must realize there is a bigger world out there outside of politics.

Perhaps this indomitable spirit — this unwavering hope for things to get better no matter the odds — comes from our strong Christian faith. As Max Soliven used to say, the Philippines is like Ivory soap — it will always float.

Today reminds us of the example of Jesus Christ who suffered every kind of pain imaginable as He lay dying on the cross, but conquered death on His resurrection. Christians all over the world celebrate Easter because it restores their faith — and it is this kind of faith that continues to keep hope alive in their hearts, believing that the promise of a new and better life will surely come. As Brisbane’s Archbishop John Bathersby said, Easter is a time that is all about hope, a proclamation of God’s undying love made manifest in the resurrection of Christ Jesus.

 For many Filipinos, the miracle of the resurrection is the light of hope that keeps them believing that one day, this nation and its people will be transformed to what it should be — a rich country, blessed by talented and brilliant people. As Easter is all about new lives and new beginnings, Filipinos know that even when the situation seems gloomy, their strong faith and hope gives them the assurance that as certain as the sun goes down, it will  surely rise again the next day. The time will come when the people will rise above the divisions they are going through today ­— because as long as faith and hope continue to burn in their hearts, there will always be Easter for Filipinos.

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