Judge Jose T. Apolo has written a beautiful little book entitled: Quo Vadis, Philippines? — “Where are you going, Philippines?”
It is an effort to present solutions to our great national problems of peace, justice and poverty. . . . to make this country one family, one undivided nation, one in mind and in heart. His sub-title is: “A Call to Love through Sacrifice.”
It is a plea for People Power, within the ambit of law . . . . recognizing that the change must come from the ground up, and not from the top down. . . . from a deep conviction in the minds and hearts of the rank and file of our people. . . . from a willingness to reach out to one another... from a willingness to share what we have with those in need. . . . from united action.
On the front cover he writes:
“Our country is like a fruit bearing tree crowned with leaves of beauty — but within her trunk live the tree killing anays of graft and corruption, dishonesty, dirty partisan politics, insatiable greed, violence, crab mentality, Godlessness, and the culture of death.”
The book is a service to the nation, for at least these four reasons:
1. It tackles the principal problems of our country. . . .At least it will get the reader thinking about what he can do, personally, to help solving them.
2. It is not only honestly critical, facing reality. . . it proposes practical solutions.
3. Judge Apolo is ideally prepared for this. . . . in his experience as a judge he has gained intimate knowledge of how these national problems affect the common man.
4. It is a voice for the voiceless. . . . it expresses the quiet thoughts of many Filipinos who have no way of communicating their ideas to the rest of the country.
The book Quo Vadis: Philippines might not be able to achieve any substantial national change, because it will not have that much circulation. But it could affect journalists, TV and radio producers, politicians, and government officials in high places.
Of course it is discussing common problems that everyone knows. . . going over ground that has been presented a thousand times. . . but it would contribute strongly to the tidal wave of discontent that is sweeping the nation.
The deep resentment of our common people for the ghastly greed of those in power is real! It is a strong undercurrent, like a surging sea, about to envelope the offenders. The national change of heart must include those who have, as well as those who have not.
The hope of Judge Apolo is that — by the grace of God — the universal change will come spontaneously, like the two million people on Edsa in 1986, stopping the tanks with their hands, without one drop of blood.
If we could rise as one to stop the evil of dictatorship and to restore freedom. . . . we can also rise as one to stop the evil of greed and to restore love.
The national virtue of the Filipinos is hospitality. But it is more than that. It is generosity . . . a willingness to share whatever we have, even with strangers. . . . It is a willingable ness to give . . . . It is love. All the world wonders at this — the kindness of the Filipino.
If we turn that beautiful virtue into compassion for each other. . . into sharing with each other. . . . into love for each other. . . . that is the national change that would solve all our terrible problems, without violence, without revolution, without shedding one drop of blood. We would stop greed the way we stopped the tanks.
At least it is a dream . . . . And everything that changes the world begins with a dream in the heart of a man.
“Quo Vadis: Philippines” will be available at all National Bookstore Outlets in Metro Manila, and in their provincial outlets in the later part of November.
Also at the publisher’s office: 4368 Rosemallow Road, Sun Valley, Parañaque City; telefax: (632) 8231330.
It is soft bound, 138 pages, P250
And it is worth reading!
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