Cry for independence

Staring at Philippine flags, in various sizes, displayed ubiquitously at the department stores, offices, homes, motorized and non-motorized vehicles, along avenues and streets sends an ineffable feeling of patriotism. It transcends to more than an ordinary emotion towards a friend, a mother, a neighbor. It is a collective sense of oneness, and of pride. As the day, June 12, is considered as one of the most significant dates in the country's history, it marks the nation's 116th Independence Day from centuries of Spanish rule.

And it is also a day when young people would reminisce and realize the great sacrifices of their forefathers and heroes just to have the freedom they enjoy now.

But for many Filipinos, it means school break or a day suspension from day's toil. Therefore, common is spending the day in parks and malls. Pardon them for a day or days before it, they have been preparing on what to do. Perhaps not anymore thinking on how to celebrate it as a historical day but on how they can spend as a holiday with their family members and friends.   

From the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo from the Spanish colonization or whether from the dominion of the Americans or from the occupation of the Japanese, the recurring and unyielding question remains unchanged: Are we truly independent?

Let us take for example our flag's representation. It symbolizes our country's enduring struggle for peace, truth and justice. It is still a long-lasting aim for peace in some areas in Mindanao. It is an on going search for truth over humungous scandals by government officials. What about the unending fights for justice by the poor and the disadvantaged? The dismal plight of farmers of the Hacienda Luisita is still haunting the present administration. Patriotism and valor are unseen and unheard of especially to the people we trust. Equality and brotherhood are likewise having been so much to be desired for among us. Cynical as I may appear but these are the very aspirations that we want this present generation to be concerned about.

Independence can have many faces. There are women who are crying for independence from their abusive husbands. They are hanging on to the idea of keeping the sanctity of marriage for facing financial and social repercussion would be unbearable to them and to their children. So leaving a bitter option to stay.

Poverty is still the greatest symbolism of dependence as it remains as the most critical social problem. We still have the greater majority who do not have the decent living as the incidence of poverty has remained significantly high. Still for some, eating three full meals is considered ideal.  

Major policies are still, to a great extent, influenced or dependent on foreign dictates. It remains a prevailing confusion on who really the final benefactors are in every formulated government policy. Is it the poor majority or the privileged few?

Looking forward to the day when a Filipino, within the confines of rules, policies and laws, is empowered in many ways. He is empowered to do good for himself and for his fellowmen. He thinks and believes that he is truly an instrument in realizing a country's aspirations.    

Gone are the heroes who have fought for our independence but their memories and the fruits of their fight lives on. It is on how we make the day relevant to the present generation. This is the whole point. We certainly have modern heroes that are worth emulating. Let their examples be our youth's guide as they carry on the torch of freedom.

Filipinos, be free... go beyond! Free not only from foreign control but also from own struggles. Free from all and various forms: bondage of poverty and oppression, abuses of self-seeking politicians, unjust labor practices, bait of human traffickers and oppressive educational system. All these and more are purely implausible to achieve but when realized only then we can say that we are truly free and independent.