the ideal Filipino (some fast facts)

what is the ideal Filipino? for starters:

1. He embodies the true nationalist, and does everything with his country in mind.
2. He sticks with his country through thick and thin.
3. He doesn't emigrate for selfish purposes.
4. He fights against corruption, and so often goes against the government's corrupt ways.
5. He feels homesick whenever abroad.
6. He prefers adobo over steak, and does so with pride and dignity.
7. He takes the time to know, contemplate, and understand our country's history, traditions, and customs.
8. He appreciates Filipino art and music.
9. He supports democracy and freedom.
10. He upholds and obeys the law.
11. He votes for a based on a candidate's character & background.
12. He is not a stranger to his own country.
13. He prefers "sariling atin".
14. He does not wallow in the so-called "American Dream".
15. He does not fully embrace western principles, instead he balances it with our native philosophies.
16. He winces at the current state of his motherland.
17. He defends his country the best he can.
18. Unfortunately, he is yet to be born.

let's face it. we don't do all these things. we lack something, even just one of these. we just don't cut it. yet.

the masses call the shots

Yeah, you heard me right. The Philippines is not ruled by the President alone--
the people put her there. The people can take her down just as easily.

Yeah, so its nothing new. We all know that. But it's high time that we are reminded of that fact, especially now that the elections are coming. Although we're not yet meant to choose a new president, not until 2010, we still have to bear that fact in mind--
bear it in mind so that we won't make the big mistake we call EDSA DOS, the show of people power and unity that got us into nothing 6 years on.

Perhaps maybe we were just too anxious to get a gorilla off our backs back then that we made the choice to put "pikachu" in the presidential seat. Maybe our judgement was clouded by our nationalistic fury, or we were in a hurry to get a new presidential replacement. Either way, the only option we have is to live with it and face it. We have to pick up from where we left off, and make the best of what we have.

The masses call the shots, the masses are the ones that matter. Everybody knows that. Look into the news every night and there's living proof in the streets--protesters risking everything for what they believe is right. Meanwhile, her excellency still sits easy inside the palace, shrugging off everything the people throw at her...

What few realize is that we are in a stalemate-- it's high time that we get a new replacement and get "Pikachu" off our backs, yet there seems to be no one that's even qualified for the slot-- everybody's just as worse.. Juan dela Cruz is in a rut.

The elections are coming, and though we may not have the chance to vote for a new president, we have the chance to vote for the ones who will keep her in check-- the senators. Let's remember that we are the ones who call the shots-- the opinions of the masses go beyond the streets. Let us remember that we are the ones who choose the ones to take charge, so let's not make the same mistake that we did 6 years ago.