National Disappointment

It was sad to notice that I was not able to feel the Independence Day mood of the country. The supposedly momentous event when we celebrate our country’s freedom from the bondage of Spanish colonizers was just another holiday for us Filipinos. It was really sad.

This was probably because we are, once again, being tested for political sustainability after a series of scandals thrown to the Presidency. Because of this, our Independence day was not celebrated that well, but instead, it was considered the aftermath of the “opposition’s” national day of mourning held in 11 June 2005. Well, I also didn’t feel like mourning last Saturday because I was awestruck all day by the beautiful face of Angelin Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

In other countries, they would celebrate Independence day like it was Christmas. There is an evening feast, fireworks display, binge eating and lots of cheer. In the Philippines, Independence day is just one of those Presidential events covered by either Channel 4 or 13. Too bad, our Independence Day 2005 just came and went. This just reflects our people’s outlook towards patriotism and national identity. The bottom line is, we don’t have it. We don’t have what it takes to be a Filipino.

Personally, I believe Independence day should be celebrated like a feast day or a birthday. It is because this day is the day when our sovereignty was established. Without this day, we would still be slaves by Spanish friars or squires of Civil Guards. This day should be celebrated like a birthday because this is the birthday of our nation.

I was very much disappointed with the way this year’s Independence Day was celebrated. Only a few, if not nobody, paid tribute to the sacrifices of our heroes who fought with their lives just to build a nation: of how Lapu-Lapu, Dagohoy, Bonifacio, or Rizal fought out intellectual and physical wars just to free our beloved nation. It was really disappointing.

If you think the only crises that we’re having are economic and political crises, I personally think that we are also suffering from a socio-cultural crisis. We know we are Filipinos but we don’t seem to know who we really are. We don’t even celebrate the birth of our nation. Oh well…

So much for ranting about an ill-celebrated Independence Day…

Despite all these, I would still want to greet everyone:

Maligayang Araw ng Kasarinlan, mga Kaibigan...