My Take on Philippine Independence Day This 2020

Today marks the Independence Day of the Philippines.  President Emilio Aguinaldo led the declaration on June 12, 1898.  During the declaration, he said that we are finally breaking away from four hundred years of Spanish rule and declaring ourselves totally free from them. No ifs or buts.  Years later, they had to fight tooth and nail to prove that.  But there's a twist to the story of our independence and you'll get to know it while you continue reading.

The road to independence was not easy for us as a nation.  Young idealistic young men and women whose ages can be compared to today's Filipino "Millenials" started the journey to independence. At their age, they were supposed to lead a carefree life.  But they went ahead with it anyway. It must have been tough for them.

For the price of freedom, they gave up life, limb, and peace of mind for it.  A great sacrifice to ask from our heroes like Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, Luna, Del Pilar, Aguinaldo, Sakay, Aquino, Kudarat, etc. They are heroes with human qualities like yours and mine including quirks and weaknesses.

Freedom is a universal aspiration for everybody.  Nobody wants to be a slave forever. Our heroes probably have had enough and they finally decided to "walk the talk."  But more than courage, they had foresight and hope. I thank heavens for that. We enjoy the liberty that we experience today because of them.

The declaration of independence in 1898, opened our consciousness as a nation to be free to live our lives and determine our future. It must have been an emotionally charged day when Filipinos during the declaration, raised our flag, and played our national song. Those symbols have continued to inspire us to preserve our hard-earned freedom.  I wish I had a time machine to go back and see that glorious event.  I probably would have cried tears of joy and pride. On the side, I would probably try the Katipunero uniform.

Our quest for freedom has always been marked by conflicts with the Spanish, American, and Japanese colonizers who once ruled our country.  For centuries, independence and colonialism are political constructs that have clashed with each other, which has martyred many Filipino revolutionaries and soldiers. They were ordinary mortals, like us, who had to embrace their fear of bullets, bombs, and smell of gunpowder; including the sight of death and dying everywhere. They paid a stiff price for freedom and we shouldn't take it lightly. 

Our independence encountered a little detour. We only got it after World War Two on July 4, 1946, which was handed to us by the Americans. We celebrated that day as our freedom day for awhile. But on May 12, 1962, then-President Diosdado Macapagal saw it fit that we celebrate our independence every June 12, to connect with our past heroes who announced our freedom and fought for it one hundred twenty-two years ago. Cool move!

Independence meant fending for ourselves. The task had been a bed of roses but filled with many thorns. To quote President Manuel L. Quezon's words, "I would rather have a government ran like hell by Filipinos than a government ran like heaven by any foreigner."  We would all prefer the latter but sometimes it's hard to do. President Quezon  would probably be rooting for us from his grave and saying, "Come on guys you can do it!"

Today, our nation faces threats to our freedom. But our struggle has taken different forms. We should not fall asleep lest our freedom slips from our hands. The latest threat that we face is the Covid-19 pandemic that has caused death and unimaginable hardship to many Filipinos.  It has also planted fear in everyone's heart. Fear is the worst tyrant.  

This major crisis though has brought forth modern-day heroes which are the medical front-liners in hospitals; with some of them giving their very lives to save others. Other front liners have also heeded the call to fight the unseen enemy. They displayed remarkable courage like the heroes of our past. 

Our leaders and policy-makers in government are also being asked, by this unfortunate circumstance, to be heroes and push forward laws to strengthen our national health care system. Their actions will ensure a healthy and productive citizenry that is not paralyzed by pandemics, health issues, and fear. I hope that they always draw inspiration from our past heroes who only had the foresight and hope to hang on to.

 

Since our nation's infancy, poverty has threatened our freedom. It is a vicious cycle, in the lives of poor Filipinos, that is difficult to break. Education is one way out of it. Public school teachers are modern-day heroes in this particular frontline who patiently nurture the minds of young Filipinos who are the future of our nation. Their sacrifice will ensure that future generations will finally free themselves from poverty.  I hope teachers will continue the fight. 

Our government leaders and policymakers are being called to be heroes. They should have the foresight and pass laws to ensure that education continues to be a right for every Filipino and not just a privilege for a few.  

To parents with the means to give their children a good education, I hope that they teach their children to be a blessing to others when the time comes. Their collective efforts will help our country conquer poverty by waging the war against it starting in every home.

Our independence is not only rooted in the past but is also relevant to our present and our future as well.  On this significant day, I express my deepest admiration, respect, and gratitude to all our nation's heroes.