True independence

Just as the Philippine flag was hoisted upon a very tall flagpole last June 12, I couldn't help but look up and digest the fact why the Philippines still has to celebrate its independence year after year when some, if not all Filipinos do not feel free at all. History class was a breeze, we were taught the basics of what happened back when the first flag was hoisted in Cavite. We were also taught that after the Spanish regime, another foreign power came in to colonize us, we were never free then. Since then, our attitude has always been to look up to other nationalities and we always feel inferior, small among others. It's sad that we can't even be proud of ourselves and what our forefathers have done.

I have also not felt that we are free. Being a young adult, my chains are tied to the increasing prices of basic goods that I thought were cheap then. The rising prices of gasoline, food, and all others make me want to cringe despite my decent salary. If I feel this way, how much more those who are receiving salaries just above the minimum? There is no financial freedom despite stern management. Just when you have adjusted your expenses, the prices change and fluctuate. It's a cycle that tires me.

We are also not free from the political system that feeds on corruption and nepotism. Only those who are favored by those in power get the best services. In most areas, government offices are slow and inefficient. Heck, they even use the government's resources for personal consumption - vehicles, gas, and the like. We are blinded by the fact that the public officials don't serve us, we serve them. Our people keep on looking up to individuals who have no heart for governance.

I would also mention that we do not get the development that we deserve. Multi-billion projects that were intended to bring progress are on loan and the Filipino people is on its knees to pay for all these. Even my future children will have to pay for debts that they didn't incur. Taxes will go up. When will we ever be free from that?

I wish I could truly say we are independent, but in reality we are not. We are made to believe that we are sovereign, but it is our fellow Filipinos who have chained us. I wish that the heroes who have fought for our independence back then would speak to those who are barring the Filipino people from moving forward.

As creepy as it may sounds, I hope their spirits would touch the souls of those who are abusing the country. At this time, we need to move together as one nation but we cannot achieve that when we are crippled by our own countrymen. If we just rise together in solving every little issue, then I'm sure this will be a good place to live in.