Another year: to dream, to hope, to believe and to live

Not unlike so many others, I’ve once lost my faith in the Philippines and in the Filipino people. I had believed that the Pinoys’ dream is to be an OFW and so I took Nursing. It was a great attempt of escape out of the heavy traffic, procrastination, and the many social injustice that our society is infested with.

Then one fateful day, as I was lying like a dead thing on my bed, immersed in a terrible depression brought about by a series of financial blows and emotional overload, the most wonderful news came into my ears. My application for scholarship has been granted, loaded with benefits from a full assessment to a book and meal allowance. It was like a frost in the summer, a nourishing water to quench my thirst and a fuel to revive the dying embers of my soul.

I find myself asking “What have I done to deserve this?”. You see, I’m just one of those easy-go-lucky and idle guy who hasn’t given much thought to the lofty ideals: social awareness, social concern and social involvement. Then from its long slumber, my half forgotten inner epigrams awakened and so the question became “ What can I do to deserve this?”.

And that is how I came to choose the demanding and potentially perilous path of a student journalist…

As we welcome another year, amidst all the socio-political noise and the hardships brought about by the colossal global financial crisis. I pray that He would grant us the courage to fight for the preservation and protection of our rights to property, life and liberty that our heroes have painstakingly died for.

Because in spite of our various differences, socio-economic status, political color and religion, we are One People with a shared responsibility of defending our democracy and uniting our beloved Motherland. After all, there are more to Juan de la Cruz than his Mañana Habit and apathy. Our emotional closeness with families and friends, the admirable warmth of our hospitality, our resilience and adaptability that have been tested throughout history and across nations, our unquenchable cheerfulness and above all, our deep faith in God make us one of the most remarkable races in the world.

These are the traits that should stay with us this year and through our whole lifetime along with the stories of our Andres Bonifacio, our Dr. Jose Rizal, our “Ninoy” Aquino, our Mohammad and our Jesus Christ if we are to become and remain a great people. For great people are those who remain steadfast, enduring, hopeful and vigilant especially in the face of adversities and crisis. So let us face 2009 with our heads held up high, our backs straight and our eyes and hearts open. Let us maximize our tremendous potentials and not forget the endless possibilities we can do. Let us not despair. After all, to live is to dream. To dream is to hope. To hope is to believe. And to believe is to live.

Let us all dream of, hope for, pray for and act towards the building of a Filipino society beyond borders!