How many things are wrong with the Philippines? Each of us, every Filipino citizen, is aware of all the ills that are a staple in our society. Nothing is hush-hush about it, we talk about it all the time. Complaints about the latest political money-making schemes, poor road conditions, hungry cops, and red tape are discussed by those in the carinderia as well as people in upscale restaurants. But for all our talk, awareness, and smart suggestions, do things change? Everything remains in the ideological level, hesitating to make that step from theory to practice.
We are tired. The citizens of this archipelago have been fighting for centuries. We have fought for our freedom many times, battled oppressors, toppled over a military regime, and even kicked an actor out of the presidential office. But with each struggle, the number of citizens willing to fight for the country dwindles as the reasons to continue fighting for the Philippines increases. The idealism, drive, and optimism for a better country, a better future, have been overcome by apathy – a spell that enraptures so easily.
Why fight when each new leader is just as bad, if not worse than the previous one? Every politician is dirty anyway, we all just pick the better evil. Commonplace sentiments. Nothing will change unless we all decide that it is time to make this country better. Even small steps can make a difference. In fact, many big movements start from the smallest spark. Little tipping points can make the Philippines a better place to live.
I was an idealist. Hell bent on changing the country. I would always get so frustrated with everything that was wrong with the Philippines. I wanted to do something but didn’t know where to start. And like many Filipinos, this idealism started to wane and develop into acceptance. Nothing I can do will change this place, so why even bother? This is just the way everything works. These became excuses that made it easier to blame someone else and made it easier to shrug my shoulders and move on.
Despite all the things I find wrong with the Philippines, there is no other place that is home to me. I love that I can buy everything in one mall (even get surgery if I wanted to!), I enjoy the culinary treats (not just Filipino food but the vast array of international cuisine available), I am amazed at how resilient we are as a people - making do and still smiling even at the most difficult moments, and I am in love with our chaotic cities and refreshingly rural escapes.
For the entire year of 2003, I had the honor of being paid to explore the Philippines and write about it. I visited the most expensive resorts, explored off the beaten path destinations, and even shimmied into a cave with inexperienced spelunkers. This is when I saw that our nation is truly breathtaking. I met some of the most wonderful people and spoke with some of the most inspiring children. Each destination I visited showed me that life here isn’t as bad as I thought.
I found small groups of people who tried to make their own difference. There was a group in Iloilo that was geared towards creating marine sanctuaries and teaching fishermen about sustainable fishing. A resort in a small island in Cebu fed guests with produce and livestock that they planted and raised. And there was a group of doctors who reached out to indigenous tribes providing treatment and medicine that was desperately needed. In my travels, I was enlightened and happy to see that in spite of the bleak future there are still people trying to leave their mark, instill hope, and plant the seed of difference.
Each of us has something to contribute. There are people willing to donate money, time, and expertise. Whatever you are capable of offering, no matter how mundane you think it is, I guarantee you that there is some organization out there that would be grateful for the help you can offer. Hopefully, all it takes is one small gesture, one act of kindness, and we’ll be on our way to something better.
Danielle is a freelance writer afflicted with wanderlust. When she isn’t physically traveling from one place to another, her imagination takes over. She enjoys writing fiction and nonfiction, taking photographs, reading, and being by the water.
