The Liberal Filipino
Through the Eyes of Youth
Liberal. This word pervade volumes of history books and attract millions of television screens. It may refer to a political movement that treasures the power of the common people, an economic policy that encourages free markets and reacts to government intervention, or a person who values individual freedom and social equality and aims progress of every man. We may associate “liberal” with Napoleon Bonaparte, the one who united the peoples of Europe under a “liberal” government. Perhaps we may imagine of the towering Statue of Liberty, with her hands holding a torch that illuminates an ethereal radiance. But the word “liberal” has its very pivotal role in the creation of Philippine society, in the shaping of the so-called Liberal Filipino.
In my study of our past, I observe that we Filipinos have been bombarded with norms and paradigms that shaped our society in an unhealthy way. During colonial times, Filipinos are forced to “wear” various cultural and religious beliefs. The conquerors instill in us that we are indios – the weaker, inferior class of mankind. Since then, the indios begin to live in lethargy and complacency. In the religious side, the natives are required by friars to pay bandalas and indulgences. Even their rituals – going to the church, baptism, and funeral for example – are under control. Although there are numerous liberal Filipinos trying to defend the freedom of our nation, they remain slaves to the Spaniards and fanatics of the Church. Because of their insignificant number, little power, and insufficient support from other fellowmen, they are not able to escape the chains of these harmful norms and paradigms. The abuse of individual liberty persists until the birth of the liberal in the minds and hearts of the GOMBURZA, Rizal, Bonifacio, and other heroes of the Revolution.
Still, there is a slow evolution of a liberal Filipino society during the American and Japanese regimes. We continue to obey their rules and ignore our passions. We depend on their promises and left our intentions. We allow them to penetrate not only our territories but also our beings. Our liberty is snatched away, bringing even darker nights and days to every citizen.
The Third Republic elapses, and the liberal sentiment springs from the mouths and hands of concerned citizens as response to increasing political exploitations. Past administrations repeat the errors of governance, pushing the Filipinos to march along the streets, armed with megaphones and effigies. The citizens begin to learn about the ideals of a liberal society and their applications to economy, politics, and culture. Free trades and market competition are encouraged. Democracy starts to kindle in our country’s administration. Individual cultures are valued and revered.
The liberal Filipino now discovers the importance of being broadminded to different principles and opinions and the essence of his choices and decisions. The voice of the liberal Filipino starts to be heard after so long a time of oppression, slumber and quietude. The cultural and social chains that tightly held us are now slowly severed by the strength that comes from the growing liberals – both of the statesmen and the budding generation. Chains such as draconian policies, impractical solutions, and negative mindsets have now been eliminated. Novel ideas in governance, economic structure, religion, and lifestyle emanate from the gifted minds of these liberals. These innovations promote individuality of the Filipino soul, and at the same time, unity of the diverse rings of our social system, as shown in the acceptance of oneself and understanding of other fellowmen.
In our daily walk through life, we may meet a liberal standing by the street, observing the bustles in the pavement, watching the commotions in nearby establishments, sketching his views about the happenings, and coming up with bright solutions. Many of them have constructed intelligent thoughts about various events in the surroundings. Many of them have concocted effective answers to the numerous questions of our society. In our recapitulation of history, we see that there is a sleeping liberal in every Filipino’s soul, a liberal that has the ability to react but without the capacity, lots of solutions but without the opportunity, passion to act with love and transform false creeds but without the support of fellow countrymen. Only a few of them have been given the chance to speak, share, and serve the people. This is because there are still chains that keep them, keep us immobile, cultural norms and cognitive paradigms that serve as roadblocks in our route to progress. This is the challenge: to destroy the links one by one, and be free as an individual and as a society from these menaces. That will be the commencement of a new day – when every citizen maximizes his potential for self-development, and every Filipino enjoys life embodied with freedom in the economy, politics, culture, and life as a whole.
Even though I am young, now I can clearly see the liberal spirit evolving in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people. Through this revelation, I start to absorb the ideals that strengthen the cause, intensify the action, and illuminate the dream of liberalism. To my fellow countrymen, let us give our support to and appreciate the efforts of our own liberals who indeed show great promise for our nation’s future. As these things penetrate my youth, I begin to find a liberal Filipino in me.
Through the Eyes of Youth
Liberal. This word pervade volumes of history books and attract millions of television screens. It may refer to a political movement that treasures the power of the common people, an economic policy that encourages free markets and reacts to government intervention, or a person who values individual freedom and social equality and aims progress of every man. We may associate “liberal” with Napoleon Bonaparte, the one who united the peoples of Europe under a “liberal” government. Perhaps we may imagine of the towering Statue of Liberty, with her hands holding a torch that illuminates an ethereal radiance. But the word “liberal” has its very pivotal role in the creation of Philippine society, in the shaping of the so-called Liberal Filipino.
In my study of our past, I observe that we Filipinos have been bombarded with norms and paradigms that shaped our society in an unhealthy way. During colonial times, Filipinos are forced to “wear” various cultural and religious beliefs. The conquerors instill in us that we are indios – the weaker, inferior class of mankind. Since then, the indios begin to live in lethargy and complacency. In the religious side, the natives are required by friars to pay bandalas and indulgences. Even their rituals – going to the church, baptism, and funeral for example – are under control. Although there are numerous liberal Filipinos trying to defend the freedom of our nation, they remain slaves to the Spaniards and fanatics of the Church. Because of their insignificant number, little power, and insufficient support from other fellowmen, they are not able to escape the chains of these harmful norms and paradigms. The abuse of individual liberty persists until the birth of the liberal in the minds and hearts of the GOMBURZA, Rizal, Bonifacio, and other heroes of the Revolution.
Still, there is a slow evolution of a liberal Filipino society during the American and Japanese regimes. We continue to obey their rules and ignore our passions. We depend on their promises and left our intentions. We allow them to penetrate not only our territories but also our beings. Our liberty is snatched away, bringing even darker nights and days to every citizen.
The Third Republic elapses, and the liberal sentiment springs from the mouths and hands of concerned citizens as response to increasing political exploitations. Past administrations repeat the errors of governance, pushing the Filipinos to march along the streets, armed with megaphones and effigies. The citizens begin to learn about the ideals of a liberal society and their applications to economy, politics, and culture. Free trades and market competition are encouraged. Democracy starts to kindle in our country’s administration. Individual cultures are valued and revered.
The liberal Filipino now discovers the importance of being broadminded to different principles and opinions and the essence of his choices and decisions. The voice of the liberal Filipino starts to be heard after so long a time of oppression, slumber and quietude. The cultural and social chains that tightly held us are now slowly severed by the strength that comes from the growing liberals – both of the statesmen and the budding generation. Chains such as draconian policies, impractical solutions, and negative mindsets have now been eliminated. Novel ideas in governance, economic structure, religion, and lifestyle emanate from the gifted minds of these liberals. These innovations promote individuality of the Filipino soul, and at the same time, unity of the diverse rings of our social system, as shown in the acceptance of oneself and understanding of other fellowmen.
In our daily walk through life, we may meet a liberal standing by the street, observing the bustles in the pavement, watching the commotions in nearby establishments, sketching his views about the happenings, and coming up with bright solutions. Many of them have constructed intelligent thoughts about various events in the surroundings. Many of them have concocted effective answers to the numerous questions of our society. In our recapitulation of history, we see that there is a sleeping liberal in every Filipino’s soul, a liberal that has the ability to react but without the capacity, lots of solutions but without the opportunity, passion to act with love and transform false creeds but without the support of fellow countrymen. Only a few of them have been given the chance to speak, share, and serve the people. This is because there are still chains that keep them, keep us immobile, cultural norms and cognitive paradigms that serve as roadblocks in our route to progress. This is the challenge: to destroy the links one by one, and be free as an individual and as a society from these menaces. That will be the commencement of a new day – when every citizen maximizes his potential for self-development, and every Filipino enjoys life embodied with freedom in the economy, politics, culture, and life as a whole.
Even though I am young, now I can clearly see the liberal spirit evolving in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people. Through this revelation, I start to absorb the ideals that strengthen the cause, intensify the action, and illuminate the dream of liberalism. To my fellow countrymen, let us give our support to and appreciate the efforts of our own liberals who indeed show great promise for our nation’s future. As these things penetrate my youth, I begin to find a liberal Filipino in me.
posted by Renzo Guinto at
5:49 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home