Remembering independence

Today marks the 114th Independence Day of the Republic of the Philippines. It has been 114 years after the cruel struggle under Spanish rule and 114 years after being taken away of identity. It was three centuries of living slavery’s life. That day was historic for the nation. It was when the flag was waved outside Aguinaldo’s home in Cavite. This picture is always present in Philippine history textbooks back when I was in my basic education.

But after the reign of the Spaniards, it never dawned on the Filipinos that we were never really independent. So much for celebration, we were still tied with shackles by two nationalities after that. When finally granted independence, we had to face the fact that we still weren’t ready.

Up to this day we still answer to another nation. Like it or not but we are under power that has been guiding us all through these years. I’d like to call our independence as pseudo, because it was never real to start with. Even the youth is entangled in a colonial mentality to the point of worshipping everything imported even if it is just made from a neighboring country. Old clothes from abroad sold here as ukay-ukay is flocked by both youngsters and those young at heart just to be able to wear something that’s imported. And it’s sad because we don’t patronize our own; we don’t love our own identity.

It may be Independence Day today but most of us choose to wallow in relaxation because it is a holiday.  There is no spirit of nationalism or patriotism brimming from within us. I can only remember a single time when my family chose to celebrate Independence Day complete with flags placed in our car, merchandise and a lot more. All those were during the centennial year celebration. But 14 years has passed since that big celebration and it seems that as the years go by, the festivity dies down. I cannot blame people for losing enthusiasm with this so-called independence.

PNoy has been calling on citizens to be “proactive” but who wants to? After Jessica Sanchez’ defeat followed by Pacquiao’s, there isn’t much to be active about. It does not even stop there. Every day we face the reality of oil price hikes, lack of classrooms and even tuition fee increases by state universities. I don’t know if it’s just me, but this may be the price of independence.

Or maybe not because of independence… It may be because of our nature of pulling each other down that we never progress. Our leaders are never role models to start with, much more being an inspiration to over 20 million youths who will be next in line. The political cycle goes on – running for office, losing the election, and taking revenge on who goes before you. If nobody dares to break this cycle of vengeance, then we are bound to be living in a chain, which we have made on our own. Therefore, we are robbing independence from ourselves.

There is not much to do today aside from enjoying it like a normal holiday. There isn’t much participation from ordinary citizens now that apathy has taken over. My only wish for the Filipino nation is that it may open its eyes to the reality of the bondage that we are in. I hope to still be alive when the day of our rising comes where we will once again become the great nation we once were. It will be the role of the next generation to do that and the work is a hundred fold. As of now, there is no limit to dreaming.

**Published in the Freeman newspaper on June 12, 2012