Our nation is in distress.

We may not notice her cries; we may be blinded to see her wounds, but the images she portrays are enough to send chills to the spines of those who would understand the alarming state she is in. Alarming-- to the point that most of us would ignore the sad truth, shrug shoulders in defeat, accepting the doom we created ourselves. And we have the nerve to ask if this nation of ours is beyond hope? The signs are everywhere: just travel our streets and experience first-hand how our elders mismanaged everything as they return the land they borrowed from their children. The poor stagnate in their shanties, waiting for lady luck to bless them with good fortune. Corruption abound, those who promised to serve their fellowmen betrays the trust given to them as they defend the comfortable positions they hold. The youth has lost its trust with education; they are disillusioned with what the media tells them to be and to aspire. As we list it one by one, we tend to see the big, ugly picture. We are living a failing system. True. But the clockwork which we call society will not turn on its own. The system fails, because we fail. But how would that be? Although most of us will contest that we try our best to change a little part of our own worlds, there is something innate in us that influence how we act, and as collective influence is strong, the majority would be swept to its direction. Our actions are influenced by the values we hold dear. But is it not only fruitful to question which values are uniquely Filipino, and whether these values are beneficial not only in putting us in a good light but also in helping us progress? We should rediscover these values, as finding what is inherent in us will be the compass that will point to who we really are.

The Filipino is a treasure trove of values, and although it is present in all of humanity, we have taken these values and gave it distinction, sprinkled it with our flavour. Take, for instance, the value of solidarity and cooperation. We gave it a name. Bayanihan. A mural created by our national artist, Carlos Francisco depicted this value in its vividness. Filipinos helping each other literally carry a neighbors house from one place to another. And as our forefathers took part with the tradition, us, their children have shown it in a different way. The house being carried became symbolic to any task given, and the shoulders carrying it became the hands who contribute to its success. But do we still see this today? Or have we replaced the word bayanihan to bahala na yan? When foreigners and locals alike are asked what they love most about the Philippines, more often than not, they would answer with the immortal phrase Filipino hospitality. Im pretty sure as I see you nod your heads that you have shown this value more than once. How many times have the best kept china and silverware been used to serve foreigners, balikbayans and even distant relations? How frequent did we offer the best we havefrom pillows, blankets even our own rooms to cater the needs of our guests? We have accepted it as law. We follow it strictly lest we find our guests give unfavourable remarks about us. This brings a question to the sincerity of our actions. Are we just doing it for the praise? Are we just doing this to gain favour from our guests? If we are then it is plainly hypocrisy. It is hiding who we really are. It may give us a good feeling when others give compliments on how we treat others, but isnt it just a bit sad to think that we have to hide the truth just to have a good image? Talking about good image, in instances that we cannot keep our miseries any longer, what do we usually do? Do you still remember when the typhoons Ondoy and Milenyo brought destruction that put us to our knees? Despite the pressure of the predicament we are all in, just one sweep of

television cameras and what will be seen are the smiles that remained on our faces. And in the face of different disasters, be it natural or economic, we never looked troubled. Is it really because of our resilience? We might think that this attitude helps us adjust through every circumstance, day by day. What we do not realize is that we have taken this value and made it a sad excuse in our acceptance of what fate puts in our plate instead of acting upon what we have to change the course of our destiny. We try to show others how strong we are with our smiles not realizing that what we show is our inability to learn and strive to overcome the hardships we face. Instead of finding ways to progress we only stagnate in our desire to survive. No wonder the mentality of isang kahig isang tuka is embedded in the majoritys psyche. We should be resilient, but only to things we cant control and when all options and actions are already taken. I could ramble on. But I believe that we have all eyes and ears for the truth, that just by recollection we could nod our heads in agreement that we have taken our values for granted. And whatever the past generations have done or failed to do is beyond us already. The future rests on our shoulders now. And in this time that I call on my fellow youth. I call them to speak when all others have gone silent. I call them to question, when all others blindly accept. I call them to stand when others would prefer to sit down. I call them to stand against mediocrity, to injustice, to prejudice, to idleness, to vanity. I call them to realize the importance of their part in making our country realize and achieve its former glory. I see. I will see the goodness in me, as well as my faults. I would accept the criticisms others will give for it will be the fire that would forge the better person I would be in the future. I will see the importance of education, for it is the foundation of my future. I will see the hardships of my

parents, teachers and the community in ensuring that I would be ready for the harsh world I am starting to understand. I act. I will not waste my time on things that would have no valuable returns in my being. I will act upon things without timidity; grab opportunities that will come for I know that they knock only once. I will act and struggle to break what Nick Joaquin called our Heritage of Smallness. I will think big and escape the shackles of this heritage that have bound our people for so long. I shall rise up to my own expectations, for only when I am free from the slavery of ignorance, poverty and helplessness can I help others rise to their feet. I advocate. Like an epidemic Ill spread this new found hope. It is not too late. It is never too late. Ill spread the truth that the only thing standing between us and our success is ourselves. As an example to others I will symbolically blow my trumpet to awaken others and shake the grounds where they comfortably lie. And they will hear it. It would be my duty to the country that nurtured me and help me be what I am today. And as a breath of fresh air, I would claim, with the good Lord at my side, that I would still see my nation pick itself up and stand, proudly, gloriously. With its values it will rise. And I hope that as I end this rhetoric, each one would realize, that the values we possess are gems, buried for so long deep within our hearts and minds. I hope that we will realize that, all it takes is to take a shovel, and unearth the forgotten gems our country needs for it to shine. Good day and God bless.