UNDERSTANDING ALEX

There are odd traits of me that for those who do not know me might say they are weird things.  It might a bit strange to others but I found them nothing and very typical.  They are intangible things that perfectly fit in my life as I wanted.  If what is wrong and what’s the matter with me, there are such weird things encounters in my words and phrases that I think only me can understand.

I want dark. When I am at my own place and spending my leisure times, I want my lights either switched off or partially lit only, be it candle or dim lights.  It looks black and I think it is art.  Black is one of the two favorite colors, it tells my fancy in dark and my passion in arts.  In fact, it often shows in most of my artworks, personal stuff, and even in my traits.  Black is very versatile, fair and unstoppable.

Home is my favorite place and bedroom is my most liked spot in the house, it is my comfort zone.  In moments I do not prefer to see the clear and whole picture of my place, and when it is not really important or there is nothing needs to shed more lights on the setting, I rather wanted the place in dim lights only.  I want the dark wraps me whole in my most relaxing mode.

I want seclusion.  I can spend my whole day being alone and quite all day.  If it is not shame to be unspoken and not mingling with people in the house, I would rather like to be alone and silent.  I am a very private and silent person and I am very comfortable with that.  There are years I intended to keep my day undisclosed with three things in my mind.  I wanted to be greeted on the day without reminding my friends about it.  I wanted to prove that birthday thanksgiving is not always about food and party.  And I wanted to endure my being loner, my privacy and peace on my special day.  Until now I don’t announce it in any of my social media account with a feeling of disliking present and greetings that I have just hinted.

I want to be a bird.  I want to fly high and far without limits, reach the sky.  Flying is such a crazy thing that I dream into reality.  The feeling of passing through the air where you can feel it when you fly is something that enthuse me.  I have created an unnamed flying superhero myself in a blue costume with red veil over the shoulder.  He is “Mega Man”, the defender of the right which I’m trying to find the local counterpart words to become more nationalism.   I have dreamed it several times.

But unlike other superheroes without exhaustion, someday when I get old, when I have retired from works, I would like to recluse in a place that is so quiet, peace, and far.  Far from the place that I used to stayed most that is disorder, messy and noisy metropolis.  I want to live in my retiring home near in a cool mountain, cosy farm and casting-eye at a distance is the blue calm sea.  I want to get closer to nature.

I want to be alone.  Romantic relationship is not my main preference and not my ultimate purpose in life.  Settling down and commitment to build own family are not my calling.  There are just things we want in our life which we cannot get if we’re not the person we want to be.  I want to be alone to shed my worries in life when I get up there.  I feel raising a family is beyond this mortal life that even up to my grandchildren is still my responsibility to ensure them in the right way.

I want everything has not happened at all, hoped I was not born in the first place.  If this I have now is the so called life, then I feel I have done.  It is not wishing to end the life but I just feel life seems no more to go without being felt its topmost.  Life is not about me.  I’m not talking about family when I said I always waived but nothing left me, and nothing is returning back to the affection I showed.  I’m asking myself what kind of sinner am I, seems luck is so elusive despite the good behavior I did instead gives me only worries, failure and sorrow.

By Alex V. Villamayor 

November 30, 2013

PISTA SA ANGONO NOON AT NGAYON

Sa paglakad at paglipas ng panahon, nagbabago ang pagdiriwang ng kapistahan ng parokya ni San Clemente sa aking bayan sa Angono.  Bagamat ang pinakatampok na pagdiriwang sa pamamag-itan ng  pagoda at prusisyon na sinasaliwan ng banda ng musiko, basaan ng tubig, mga parehadoras at higantes ay nanatiling naruruon, ngunit ang konteksto ay nagkakaroon ng pagbabago.  Dahil nagbabago din ang mismong mga tao na nagdiriwang ng kapistahan na siyang pinakadahilan ng pagbabago.

Sa mabilis at modernong panahon ngayon, at  dahilan na rin sa marami na ang nakikipamahayanan sa bayan ng Angono kung kaya ang mga kinagisnang kaugalian, tradisyon, kultura at kahit na ang pagdiriwang ng pista ay nagkakaroon ng pagbabago.  Ngunit para sa aming mga taal na taga-Angono na siyang nakakita ng maraming nagdaang pista, masasabi namin na mas maganda at mas taimtim ang pagdiriwang ng Pistang Bayan noon.

Ayon sa kwento ng mga mas nakatatanda sa amin, ang pagdiriwang daw ng kapistahan ni San Clemente nuon ay payapa, sagrado, tahimik at maayos.  Ang mga mananampalataya na sumasama sa prusisyon ay naka-suot ng ordinary ngunit maayos at malinis na damit.  Ang mga kalalakihan ay may dalang bungkawal na may mga dahon, naka-apak, may suot na sambalilo at nagmamartsa ng paru’tparito.  Ang pagkakahilera nila sa prusisyon ay maayos, walang nakagayak ng mistulang karnabal, at walang mga kalalakihang lango sa espiritu ng alak.  Ang mga ito ay buong-pusong ipinapatupad bilang pag-galang sa Poon.

Natatandaan ko na nuong ako ay bata pa, sa mga unang araw pa lamang ng Nobyembre ay marami na ang naglilinis ng kani-kanilang bahay na gawa sa kahoy.  Gamit ang dahon ng isis, ang haligi, hagdanan, bintana, barandilla at pasamano ng buong kabahayan ay namumuti sa pagkaka-isis.  Kasunod ang paglalagay ng mga kurtina, pagpapalit ng mga punda at kobre-kama – paghahanda sa pagdalaw ng mga panauhin.

Ang mga bandiritas na simbolo ng pagsasaya sa pista ay ikinakabit sa mga pangunahing kalsada.  Nagkakaroon din ng tinatawag na cedera na kung saan ay may mga murang katutubong-gamit sa bahay at laruan ng mga bata na mabibili.  Mayroong ginaganap na novena sa hapon sa loob ng siyam na araw na sinusundan ng masayang sayawan ng mga deboto: matatanda, bata, lalaki at babae.  Sa saliw ng maingay at masayang tugtog ng banda ng musiko, ang lahat ay umiindak na ginagaya ang galaw ng higantes sa prusisyon.

Sa araw ng Sabado na pinakamalapit sa kaarawan ng Pista ay mayroong hilahan ng tatlong malalaki at mabibigat na Bangka na siyang ginagamit sa pagoda.  Mula sa likod ng simbahan na pinagtataguan ng mga bangka, gamit ang inilatag sa kalsada na mga saha ng puno ng saging na siyang magiging daanan ng malalaking bangka upang maging mas madali at magaang ang paghila, at sa tulong-tulong ng malalakas na bisig ng mga kalalakihan, mapa-bata, binatilyo, binata, at mga ama ay sama-samang hihilahin sa lubid ang bangka papunta sa Wawa.  At sa kahabaan ng Dona Aurora ay mayroong mga nagkakawang-gawa na magbigay ng malamig na tubig, sago at inuming mula sa katas ng pinya sa mga naghahatak ng tatlong bangka ni San Clemente.

Sa gabi pa lamang bago ang bisperas ng pista hanggang sa madaling araw ay ramdam na ang pagka-abala ng mga magkakapit-bahay mula sa paghahanda ng mga lulutuing baboy at manok, pamimili sa palengke ng mga panahog hanggang sa pagluluto ng mga putahe na sa kalsada pa lamang ay amoy na amoy na ang sarap ng mga nilulutong pagkain.  May mga banda ng musiko na umiikot sa mga baryo.

Samantala ang pagpapalipad ng malaking lobo sa pamamag-itan ng apoy ay hindi nawawala sa gabi ng bisperas.  Malaking palaisipan sa aming mga bata kung saan nakalagay ang mga hingantes habang wala pa ang kapistahan at kung paano nga ba ito ginagawa na napakataas.  At sa araw ng Pista, ang mga higante ay dalawa lamang na isang lalaki at isang babae.  Nakasuot ito ng pula na may puti sa bayawang at gawa sa kawayan.  Kinalaunan ay nagkaroon ng mas maliit na siyang tumatayong anak at nabuo ang isang masayang pamilya na naglalarawan ng pamilyang taga-Angono.  Hanggang sa kalagitnaan ng dekada otsenta, ang mag-anak ng higante ay sumasama sa prusisyon.

Sa pagtakbo ng panahon ay nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa mga ito.  Mula sa mga sumasama sa prusisyon na watak-watak ang pagkakahilera, mayroong mga nakasuot ng malaswa, may mga kalalakihang lango sa alak na ang iba ay nagbubuwis ng buhay sa pagkalunod sa pagoda.  Maingay at magulo ang mga tao.  Hindi ko na nakikita ang mag-anak na higantes at sa halip ay napakarami na ngayon ang mga higantes na sa halip na ilarawan ang totoong kahulugan at kahalagahan ng higante sa kasaysayan ng Angono ay komersiyalismo ang kanilang ipinapakita.

Maaaring wala pa ako sa hustong gulang nuon kaya hindi ko napapansin ang ibang mga nangyayari sa kapistahan.  Ngunit sa kwento ng mga matatanda sa amin at para sa pagkakatanda ng isang bata, ang pista namin nuon ay naging makabuluhan na hinihintay namin ang pagsapit taon-taon. Pangyayari ito na nagbigay sa aming pagkabata ng isang mahalaga at magandang karanasan na naghubog sa amin kung paano kami ngayon.  Araw ito na nagbigay sa amin ng kakaibang pagmamahal sa aming kultura at tradisyon ng aming bayan.  Ang sabi nga ay hindi masama ang pagbabago, ngunit kung ito ay nakakasira ng isang magandang simula, sa pagsingkad pa ng mga araw ay mawawala na nang tuluyan ang totoo at tunay na diwa ng Pistang Bayan ngAngono.

Ni Alex V. Villamayor

November 25, 2012

MAKABAYAN O MAKULIT

Reklamador at mapintasin lang ba ang mga Pilipino, o talagang masalita lamang sila?  Sa dami ng mga naglabasang balita, reaksiyon, reklamo, at pintas sa nangyaring kalamidad hatid ng bagyong Yolanda, hindi ko na binabasa ang kabuuan ng mga istorya dahil masasabi ko agad na puot at batikos lamang ang nilalaman ng istorya.  Sa nangyaring kalamidad, kanya-kanyang pahayag ng kritisismo, opinyon at suhestiyon, ang mga tao na makabayan ba talaga o nanggugulo lang?  Mas maaanghang, mas detalyado na pahayag at mas malalalim na inglis ay mas pinagsisikapang maipahayag sa mga social media upang maging magaling sila.  Maraming pintas at batikos ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan laban sa mga politiko at mga taga-gobyerno, na sa tingin ko naman ay wala ring pinagkaiba sa mga oportunistang politikong ito ang maraming ordinaryong mamayan na ginagamit din ang sitwasyon upang sila naman ang maka-pintas sa mga politikong hindi nila gusto o kaanib.  Makabayan ba yun?

Totoo naman na mayroong mga kakulangan sa lahat ng ginagawa ng gobyerno sa sinasabi  nilang siyang tama.  Maraming kamalian at kapintasan sa hanay ng gobyerno ngayon.  At walang tigil ang mga tao na hanapan pa ng butas ang lahat ng ginagawa ng gobyerno, parang kahit anong gawin ng gobyerno ay mayroon agad puna ang mga tao.  Gumawa ng tama o ng mali ay parehong mayroong masasabing hindi maganda ang mga taong ito.  Kapag may nabasang negatibong balita ay agad kinakagat at ikinakalat dahil papabor iyun sa kanila.  Ni hindi na pinag-ukulan ng malalim na pag-iisip kung totoo basta ang mahalaga ay maipanggagatong nila ang bagay na iyun upang mas lumaki pa ang apoy na tumutupok sa bugbog na gobyerno.  Makabayan ba yun?

Kapag may lumabas na mga negatibong larawan agad huhusgahan ang taong pinapaksa nang hindi na isasaalang-alang kung kinatha lamang ba ang larawan o ang kwento ay pinagtahi-tahi lamang.  Sa panahong ngayon na napakadaling gawin ang mga ito, bakit hindi muna mag-ukol ng pag-iisip ang mga taong mahilig mamintas at magbigay ng opinyon kung tama ba ang gagawin nilang pagpuna.  Ang bilis magbigay ng maanghang na reaksyon ang mga tao nang walang matibay na katibayan at katwiran.  Sa gitna ng sari-saring kapintasan na bumabalot ngayon sa mga namumuno, sa palagay ko ay matatalino ang mga iyan upang maingat na kumilos at itaya ang kinabakasan sa mga naglabasang inimbentong malisyosong larawan na naglalagay sa kanila sa kapintasan.  Ang iba  kasi ay halatang-halata naman na maka-partidong kabila dahil kababayan nila ang tumatayong liderato ng isa mga oposisyon.  May mga itinatagong interes sa kanilang ginagawang pamimintas na akala natin ay talagang nababahala sa bayan subalit ang nangyayari ay parang pinupuhunan nila ang kalamidad upang makapuntos sa gobyerno – opotunista, makabayan ba yun?

Nakikita natin ngayon na sunod-sunod ang mga hindi magagandang balita at pangyayari sa gobyerno na dahilan upang maging sirang-sira sila sa paningin ng maraming ordinaryong tao.  Mula sa iskandalo ng pork barrel, kaguluhang sibil sa Zamboangga City, lindol sa Bohol at pinakahuli ay itong bagyong Yolanda sa Tacloban.  Sa lahat ng ito ay ang gobyerno ang pinagbuntunan at binagsakan ng sisi.  Sa lahat ng ito, ang mga tao ay nagkanya-kanyang pagbatikos at pagpapabagsak sa gobyerno.   At mayroon pang mga mga mamamayan ang sadyang naghahanap o gumagawa ng dahilan upang batikusin ang mga tao o grupo na hindi nila gusto o kaanib.  Mayroong umunawa at nagtanggol sa mga tao o sa gobyerno ngunit mas marami ang tumuligsa.  At sa dami ng mga bumatikos, nagsabing nagmamalasakit sa bayan, tumutulong daw, mga nagmamarunong, at mga humusga; sa palagay ko ay ang mga taong ito ang magagaling lang magbatikos ngunit subukan isa-aksiyon ang mga sinasabi ay  tahimik at walang imik lahat.

Ni Alex V. Villamayor

November 19, 2013

LESSONS FROM YOLANDA

With what’s happening insufficiency, absence, inability and slowness of our Chief Executive to address the needs of the victims of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), I seem to believe now to the locally coined word “noynoying” for inaction of his part on the issues of disaster response.  At first I was in denial to persuade thinking it was part of opposition’s political assault.  I didn’t want to believe the President sitting idly while resting his head on one hand and doing nothing.  But if I put altogether the turn of events from Manila hostage crisis on August 2010, super typhoons Pedring (Nesat) and Qiel (Nalgae) on September 2011 and the Zamboanga City standoff on September 2013, I am getting convinced in PNoy’s lack of action in emergency responses.

When one of the worst, deadliest and strongest typhoons in our history battered the central Philippines on November 2013, five days after the disaster and no clear presence of assistance from the government – I felt “noynoying” seems to be very true.  With the kind of magnitude that super typhoon Yolanda had made, I understand the lack of the government to show their presence and reach out the affected areas on the first three days.   But on day 4 and onwards with disorganized action from our leaders, it is really frustrating, unacceptable and I felt extreme rage to all politicians that should response to the catastrophic damage.   The victims are in the horrible situation, surrounded by corpses, traumatized, terrified, in the midst of ground zero, no foods, no shelters, no communication and for these we cannot blame them to panic.  Giving them hope after three days will not pacify their spirit at all.

The storm surge and strong wind are the wrath of typhoon that destroyed homes, killed lives and left the Philippines devastated, hungry, homeless and hapless. The seeming incapacity and incompetence of the government to perform emergency response is big dismay.  And what’s more even disgusting here are the allegedly corruption and politicking amidst of tragedy that the international community had seen.  This caused to the point the local and foreign aids that pouring into the country have expressed their distrust to our government officials from coursing through the billions of donations.  The so-called hording of international relief goods to repack them in local government bags, the revelation or defamation of selecting the imported goods and replacing with expired goods, the report of biased political parties, the fear of stealing the billions of money, the disparity of what the President said from what was really happening in the area, the long family feud of Aquino and Marcos (Tacloban being the bailiwick of Romualdez-Marcos), the much talked-about report of a CNN correspondent,  and the various criticisms on our leaders’ inauspicious actions; if there is any truth to it is really shame for our politics and government.

Aside from politics, what’s really hindered and challenged here are the fact that this was the first time in history that any preventive measures and emergency response on the aftermath may beyond the preparation, and that even a developed country may face difficulties, and the fact that our country has not yet recovered from previous disasters and the civil war in Zamboanga City.   People lose hope, cause panicky and chaos.  There are many stories unfolded in Yolanda’s onslaught.  There is story of pain, bereavement, kindness, generosity, heroism, and humanity.  Thank to international and local charitable institutions, private personalities, individuals, volunteers, different countries and international communities for giving helps and for easing the pains in every victims.  Sometimes we need to tell this not to brag their good deeds but for to give them thanks, to give hope to those in needs and to inspire others.  With the worst deluge we suffered from Yolanda, I hope we will really learn the great lessons from here.  This is not written to lambast our government but to show the sad reality bites of our present situation.  I voted Pnoy for his clean political track record and his uplifting platform to fight graft and corruption.  Till date, I’m supporting and believing our President.  I just hope that the lessons we learned from this tragedy will give PNoy the stronger willpower to completely destroy the chronic graft and corruption.  Clean the government, remove the incompetent and pejorative cabinet members be it friend, family, political coalition or the untouchables.  If he cannot control the government, then his hard-earned advocacy against graft and corruption from his day 1 to the office and the trust of general public will just be gone in the weeks of Tacloban catastrophe.

Alex V. Villamayor

November 16, 2013

FABLE OF A BAD ANDROID

Being a half-human and half machine, one thing that really makes me feel very hurting is when I was told I am a bad android.  Accordingly, I am a bad robot who needs to change for not getting any younger.

The uncertainty to decide whether to change or not demands me but then re-assessing myself reassured me to know who I am really inside, so I won’t change.

I don’t want to change.  Still, I would rather choose to be who I am as long as I know myself.

I know it’s not proper to blow own horn but when labeling me as bad and trespasser, I can’t help myself but to lay my cards and see the good traits I have over somebody else.

And I will feel I am still better than the other real robots that I know.

True, I am not a real and inherent. I am a product of the crossed-breed human and machine, clone of person’s compassion and machine’s stored commands.

Granted that my origin is not natural, I think it is better to be that way rather than those real robots that are into forbidden deeds, living, and affairs.

I know I am more kindly and better than the other legitimate creatures and for this I feel better than the real robots.

I have lots of good functions that are programmed in my memory.  I am not crook who deceives others, using somebody for my own gain, judgmental to others, unfaithful spouse, unhelpful...

I was trained to be sensitive, compassionate, reasonable, fair, and honest, but the others who were the so-called real are doing the otherwise, for these I feel better than real robots.

Double standard or discrimination, there occurs favoring the real androids a bit tolerated doing off things and that a non-real robots can’t.  Just because a non-real means discriminated to do the robot things?

These are the reasons why I chose to keep myself as it is.  Because this I can still feel better than the real robots.

I just feel guilty of my top weakness when I was told I am bad android which I think unfair.  It’s like you’re doing your best to become good but in just a single fault and at once all your good deeds will be gone.

I think everyone has their own weaknesses.  I’m still trying to be good until I overcome my weakness.  If for sometimes I have shortcomings but I’m doing my best to become perfect.  That is why it really hurts when you were called a bad robot.

For someone who knows not deserving for such accusation, definitely it is really hurting.  But since the impure I am so, the racist robot world pushes me to remain what I am.

By Alex V. Villamayor

November 7, 2013

MAKING-OUT HOMOSEXUAL AFFAIRS

Disclaimer: the article contains sensitive subject matter.  Personal opinion only.

In our time today, our impression in homosexual is no longer affliction, shocking and somewhat disgrace.  Although it’s not yet totally accepted but majority of the society nowadays are warmly recognize and actively interrelate with the gays and lesbians.  Along with the growth of human race, the rapid increased in number of homosexual influences more men and women of coming out today.  This glaring reality plus our adaptation in modern age make easier for us to be broad-minded and kind-hearted in welcoming their growth.  Although sexists still exist, but they are not potent now because more straight men and women today are fond of being in the company of gays and lesbians.  Going out of the closet today is not new and whether we admit it or not, gays and lesbians are more accepted today than ever before.

However, the stereotype mindset for homosexuality is always associated to sexual orientation and relation.  And a relationship outside the conventional is always controversial and debatable.  Sexual preference is a long outstanding, in-depth and sensitive social, medical and spiritual issue.  But unlike with some other people, I am not to judge the relationship between the two same sexes.  Personally I sympathize with them though I don’t want to interfere.  But, when the expression and public display of affection becomes obvious, when things become awkward and oddly, my normal reaction is not in favor.  Being gay or lesbian as a person is acceptable but gay and lesbian as lifestyle is something that up to this date is insufficiently good enough.  Lifestyle such as gestures and character are fine but grave things such as show of affection and gay marriage are still awkward.  There are just some things in gayness world that no need to brag.

Open homosexual relationships are still queer and it cannot help to gossip when seeing romantic gay or lesbian couples’ obvious moves just right under your nose, how could you then not even talk about them if they themselves are insinuating?  There is nothing wrong in gossiping because it is just act of a normal reaction with what our naked eyes can see.  As long as there is no judgment, ridicule, and condemn involved, talking about people’s affair is not bad.  It is just being talked about.  What I see wrong here are the lesbians, gays, transsexuals and bisexuals who display their bizarre mutual understanding amidst of what are norms.  It is not saying the other way of norms but it should be noted that it still has to observe the prescribed behavior when in public because it is in this situation the gays and lesbians were publicly persecuted.

It is not restricting their right to love and be happy.  Intrusion to their affair is depriving them from expression of love which is quite unfair.  Everybody has the right to be happy but not all that make you happy can be done.  Some beyond the prescribed are just need to restraint.  Sometimes we don’t need to say we’re right when we believe we’re right, especially if it will risk something.  While equal rights are their continuous battle cry, discrimination still harasses their freedom, interests, and rights, lesbians, gays, transsexuals and bisexuals community is patiently waiting.  Some of them are just too proud to show romantic moment, for they don’t care others as long as they don’t disrupt anyone.  Well they are already grown up and old enough, they know what they’re doing and it’s up to them.  Until if their actions are already disruption to some, a balancing bolt must weigh the measuring scale.  I guess it is the proper place.  There is always a place for everything and you have just to choose the place of displaying your romantic affair.  It is just sad that there is still no place for open homosexual relationships.

By Alex V. Villamayo

November 1, 2013

FEELING PROUD TO BE PINOY

When someone has brought pride, honor or something good for the country, most of us are in euphoria, shouting for joy and feeling proud to be Filipino.  You’ll be sick and tired of hearing and reading they’re proud to be Filipino.  We rejoice, we inspire, we wave and live up the confidence over the triumph that we achieved.  And the compliments that we’re giving to that person are just so overwhelming.  But if someone’s defect, shortcomings and faults have happened, expect the immediate severe criticism, tirade, and accusation will be expressed and hurled by the over critical fellow Filipino.  Is it the sign of what the analysts say crab mentality?Or in general, is it natural in citizens of the third world countries?

When I was able to work abroad and interrelate with different nationalities, I have noticed the big dissimilarity of my own fellowmen to those people of powerful countries like USA, UK and European countries.  While I always heard from my own crowd about the negative feedback that are being told on our country, I’ve noticed on the other hand that these people, such as the Americans, the British, and the Arabs are not into detailing their own mess.  Instead, often they have are the praises for their countries and talking nice things about their government, culture and history.  I feel belittled to see them smart when they’re showing their nationalism through knowing their roots and speaking their good account.  But to my countrymen, I’ve observed that when it comes to our own history and political knowledge, we’d rather like to talk entertainment and gossip instead.  Many of us love hurling each imperfection as way of teaching, retribution and destroying until fail miserably our rivals.  We keep blaming our leaders and recount their flub-dub, even small things like traffic, flood and garbage.  Surely rich countries have garbage, faults and politics but they do not tell such negative impact to us.  The White men and the Arabs may fall but they stand to defend their culture, government and belief. They may have political issues and differences but over than that is their national interest that prevails.

We always say we love our country.We denounced to punish whoever betrayed or oppress our country.  We’re fuming mad when other has badmouthed our homeland.  We want to protect and boost our country but we’re dearth of determination, perseverance, sincerity, and attitude to do it.The truth is, most of us are so fast and easy to criticize but so hesitant when told to put their share into action.  We demanded changes for the better but we don’t start the change within ourselves.  There is no unity.  Many among us are still not patronizing our own products and services, not believing in our own brand, talent, and capability and even not embracing our own root.  We’re not united in giving all-out support when we sent our representatives in international competitions such as in sports, arts, and pageantry; instead some are even spreading the weakness of our representatives.  Instead of praying guidance from the Lord, we ourselves are pushing down our own countrymen.  The worse, some hopeless would say they’re rather to choose other countries, and worst they lead to lambast their own root, government, people and country.

If personally you do not believe in your own, it is fine to say you dislike it but no need to say unpleasant words for your discontentment.  Because if you don’t trust, believe and respect yourself, who do you expect will do the same thing to you?  If you can able to do destroy and ridicule your own, how much more doing it to others?  It’s unbecoming of a decent, matured and professional.  In the west, regardless of what their differences are but for the sake of their country they are united towards one direction.  Call it biased or call it claiming all the good and best for their own but these are how they express their compassion and patriotism without oppressing.  Revealing all our account be it good or bad is not a matter of honesty.  Hiding our dark side is not untruthfulness but rather preserving and protecting our dignity without the need of dishonoring and defamation – and you are not lying.  Uttering unpleasant thing and foul words for the sake of reality despite of knowing you can damage is more unholy.  If all together we can simultaneously live, take to heart, and do in action our sense of nationalism, then we can purely express ourselves that we’re proud to be Filipino.

By Alex V. Villamayor

November 8, 2013