Grateful for the country’s blessings

Filipinos are known to be one of the most cheerful people in the world, able to put on a smile even in the face of adversity or affliction. This was confirmed once again by a recent Gallup survey listing the Philippines as the 8th country whose citizens display the most upbeat attitude. More often than not, Filipinos always make it to the top 10 of “happiness surveys” despite the poverty, hardship or other problems they may be experiencing — which actually reflects the kind of optimistic outlook that shows happiness is not all about fame or fortune.

This happy attitude is precisely one of the things that foreigners like best about the Filipino people, although let’s face it, we can also be such great gripers and grumblers — “reklamador” in Tagalog — a trait that we acquired from the Spaniards. No surprise really that we have imbibed and assimilated a number of Spanish characteristics and attitudes, considering that the Philippines was under 333 years of Spanish rule.

Looking back at our history, one could see the kind of adversity experienced by Filipinos, first under Spanish colonial rule, followed by 50 years under the Americans, then the Japanese occupation. It’s been 114 years since Emilio Aguinaldo declared this country’s independence as he defiantly waved the Philippine flag from the balcony of his home in Kawit, Cavite, and through all that time, the country has also gone through a lot of ups and downs.

Today however, a confluence of events seems to indicate that things could become much better. In retrospect, there seems to be a lot of truth to the age-old phrase that “everything happens for a reason,” which perhaps explains why in the past, the country has had to go through upheavals — much like birth pangs — with Filipinos gradually moving towards maturity as a people, in the process discovering the real essence of nationalism that goes beyond narrow-minded lip service.

Despite the very strong opposition mounted by the Catholic Church against the Reproductive Health bill, the proposed measure has been ratified by Congress after almost 14 long years of languishing in the cellar, and will soon be enacted into law. To many, this landmark development proves democracy can work in this country — where the majority rule prevails despite opposition from powerful groups.

The fact of the matter is, many events in the past few years have allowed Filipinos to experience the kind of empowerment that happens when the systems are followed and the rule of law prevails. For instance, the Corona impeachment trial that resulted in the removal from office of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. It goes without saying that a lot hinged on the success of the impeachment trial, with the possibility that the political fortunes of the lead players could dip if people started questioning the fairness and credibility of the entire procedure. Everyone knows the President had put a lot of his political capital at stake in the impeachment, and it would seem the country — and the president himself, are reaping positive results because of the impeachment trial’s successful conclusion. Many even go so far as to say that the country moved forward by leaps and bounds after the first automated polls in May 2010, with the results known in record time, unlike in the past when people had to endure such agonizing wait, only to doubt the results on who won the elections.

True, this year has also seen a lot of disasters and disappointments afflicting the Philippines, like the August monsoon rains that displaced almost two million people and subjected many areas in Luzon and Western Visayas to misery. Add to that the devastating damage wreaked by Typhoon Pablo, with over five million people displaced, over a thousand dead and counting, with damage to agriculture and infrastructure placed at over P14 billion. The effects of Pablo also brought attention to the deadly consequences of illegal logging and backyard mining - activities that must soon be addressed by the government.

Filipinos also had to absorb the “punch” of seeing their People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao being knocked out cold by Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez. Some are already saying that Pacquiao’s defeat happened in order to deliver the message that perhaps it’s time for the Sarangani Congressman to call it a day. Others are of the opinion that Manny’s knockout is a consequence of the overconfidence that Manny himself felt — leaving him vulnerable to Marquez’s stunning punch.

Yet we must all agree that there are so many things that we, as a nation, have to be grateful for — among them the improved economic outlook as seen in the 7.1 percent economic growth for the third quarter. Global ratings agencies have been giving very encouraging forecasts about prospects for the economy, the latest of which comes from Standard & Poor’s that upgraded the Philippine rating from stable to positive — a clear recognition of the reforms being initiated by the current administration. According to Market Watch, a subsidiary of Dow Jones, the Philippines is “poised to drive future growth and grab more economic power in Southeast Asia” and is touted as one of the “new tigers.”

Even the knockout win of Nonito Donaire against Mexican opponent Jorge Arce — which came a week after the Pacquiao shocker — felt like soothing balm to the wounded pride of this nation. A few days ago, Janine Tugonon showcased Filipina pride and beauty by bagging first runner-up in the 2012 Miss Universe beauty pageant.

The holiday season is a perfect time for all Filipinos to reflect on the past and be grateful for the country’s blessings — the true spirit of Christmas.

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