Pushing our country forward

Have you read the recent news about how an estimated 40 Japanese train passengers pushed a 32-ton carriage to save a woman who fell into an 8-inch gap between the train and the platform last Monday, July 22? For those who have not, you can go to http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/07/22/japanese-train-passengers-push-32-ton-carriage-to-help-free-woman-stuck-in-gap/.

The spontaneous response allowed the trapped woman to come out uninjured. It was also another post 3/11 sterling hopeful and beautiful message from the Japanese to the rest of the world about how spontaneous collaboration, unity, genuine concern for others can spare lives. That simple act of unity and focus also allowed millions as well to proceed with their day, with the resumption of the regular train schedule only eight minutes after that dramatic rescue!

This beautiful story in Japan happened on the same day PNoy delivered a similar message to all Filipinos last July 22.

Like the Japanese example, PNoy, in his 2013 SONA, reminded every Filipino that united, collaborative, determined, and committed action can push any huge obstacle or challenge and can help save a life or the lives of millions, or that of a whole nation, even.

If agencies, groups, individuals in this nation get together to combat corruption and do their honest best for others wherever they are, so much can be saved, so many can be assisted.

The key is for all honest and committed Filipinos to translate into sustainable practice our genuine concern for our people and our country, to do what we all can, where we are, however we can, including and most especially, those in government.

The 2013 SONA took about an hour and 45 minutes. Much post-SONA discussion have already been offered.  Allow us, however, to share our views.

We heard about the achievements of the PNoy government for the last 3 years: gains for education, for health, for retirement services and some 4 million poor through the Pantawid Pamily Program. We heard the ongoing effort to raise savings through honest, transparent systems within government agencies. We heard clearly the warning for the hard-core corrupt to count their days. We learned about the heroism and commitment of a number of Filipinos, who were able to save or help others.

We heard the plea for more honest and genuine Filipinos to help construct and maintain the matuwid na daan already started by an honest President and some honest people in his administration. We heard the call for partnership to further develop agriculture and other sectors of our country. We heard Hacienda Luisita titles will be distributed to the farmers in September and more agrarian lands to be distributed to all other farmers. We heard the proposals for bills to be approved for and the call for understanding for possible taxes to be imposed.

Did we hear an impatient PNoy express his ambivalence about renewable energy which he erroneously perceives to be more costly?

Did we miss hearing PNoy acknowledge and thank our overseas Filipinos for helping our people and our country? Did we miss hearing PNoy rally Congress to give up their pork barrel or realign these only for priority needs of our people?

We all clearly heard the President concluding his 2013 SONA, and after reporting to his bossing, the Filipino people, as follows:

“Sinabi po sa akin dati: Noynoy, simulan mo lang, at sinimulan nga po natin, at ngayon, kitang-kita na ang layo ng ating narating. Ngayon, Pilipino, ituloy natin ang pagkakapit-bisig, sabay nating arugain, pabilisin, at palawakin ang transpormasyon ng lipunan. Ako po si Noynoy Aquino; ipinagmamalaki ko sa buong mundo: Pilipino ako. At talagang napakasarap maging Pilipino sa panahong ito.”

Our rejoiner to PNoy:

 â€œGinoong Presidente, sa habang buhay, sa hirap at ginhawa, sa sakit man o kalusugan, mamahalin naming ang Pilipinas at patuloy naming ipinagmamalaking: Kami ay  Pilipino, noon, ngayon, at magpakailanman.”

We hope and pray that in the next SONA, more Filipinos will enjoy the fruits of honest, committed, and participative governance. We hope the next SONA will proudly show the real face of inclusive growth. We hope the next SONA will see P.NOY not only mentioning the achievements of a few agencies and a few individuals but proudly proclaiming the BAYANIHAN exhibited by all Filipinos!

More than the SONA, we look forward to less poverty, less hunger, less unemployment, more honest and transparent government and a morally united Filipino nation pushing away the obstacles that prevent millions from being saved and pushing our country forward.

All of us have our own share of responsibility to do, to continue to do, for our nation and our people.

PADAYON TANG TANAN!

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