Just a few hours ago, my pregnant friend called me up and said she was depressed. We talked, then I got to mention to her that I was currently writing blogs that were, a bit nationalistic in nature. We then began to have a heated argument thereafter until I ended up telling her that she was selfish and that I no longer wanted our conversation. I asked her to hang up. She did hang up, after which she sent text messages saying that she no longer cares about the Philippines and that she believes it is a hopeless case. In reply, I sent her the following essay in her Friendster account.

“I was really saddened when I got to read your text message wherein you said that our country is hopeless. Again, I do respect your opinion and I certainly understand why you think our country will never improve. I know that innumerable problems beleaguer our nation today, from corruption, even to the putrefaction of our own society and culture. But, in my opinion, those adversities should not stop Filipinos from taking action to make the Philippines a better nation.

“As what religion tells us, problems are challenges that we must overcome. The case is the same for the Philippines. Our nation’s burdens keep on piling every single day. Still, we ought not to give up. There is so much beauty and promise in this country that must not be left to just disappear totally. The Philippines may seem hopeless to you, but I honestly think it’s not. As what I have said in one of my blog entries, our country will be better when we begin making ourselves better; when we begin respecting ourselves; when we begin to accept that we are Filipinos and are thus liable to the worsening of our nation. I am sounding “too idealistic” you may say. Or too hypocritical perhaps. But there is hope for the Philippines. The only reason why most Filipinos give up on this thought is because they think they do not want to better themselves. Likewise, most Filipinos do not want to carry the burden of self-sacrifice to help the nation rise from the quagmire it is in currently. And I believe the case is the same with you. Most probably, now, you want to change your nationality just so you can be excused from your responsibilities to your own nation.

“With all due respect, I am really disappointed with you. You’re probably thinking now that nationalism is just a whim. Or that it is just a nonsensical idea. But let me remind you that, because of our heroes’ nationalism, we are able to enjoy whatever degree of freedom we have now. I understand that writing a blog seems too minor to affect other people, much less to change their opinion. But still, I want to try. There is always a possibility that people will listen to me and eventually start thinking of ways on how they can make their country better than what it is now. Besides, we really can’t tell. Perhaps in the future, I will have greater means to get Filipinos moving.

“I love the Philippines. And that is exactly the reason why I criticize the flaws in our country but afterwards propose solutions to eliminate them. I know that I always sound pessimistic but never for my country, which is your country too.

“Before you decide to leave the Philippines and fully abandon you being Filipino, please, reconsider your opinion. Our country has given you so much. In this country, you were able to live a life of luxury. You were able to meet people to love. You were able to give birth to your child. You were able to become who you are because of this country. I know that you did not choose to be a Filipino. No person in this world was given a chance to choose his or her nationality anyway. All I am saying is, love your country because this is the only country that is truly yours. You may get a green card in the future or what not but by blood, you are still a Filipino.

“You need not reply to this message. I’d rather that you do not. All I need you to do is to rethink your opinion. If a member of the so called masses like me believes that our country can become great, then so can you. Please don’t treat our country as though you are not indebted to it at all because in all sense, you are. If, after reading this (if you will read it in full, that is), you still think that this nation is just trash, and that it was never destined to prosper, then by all means, leave the country. Then, denounce your being Filipino immediately. At least to give the Philippines a little respect.

“You are important to me that’s why I’m telling you all this. I hope that you value this message, or in the least, read it in full. I sure hope that you will listen to me.”

I honestly think that my message to her applies to most Filipinos, hence I posted it here. In the least, I want to ensure that I will be able to convince nonchalant Filipinos to care for their country again. I hope all of us will realize that, without the Philippines, we too, are nothing.

Perhaps many Filipinos these days think that idealism is only for freaks or hypocrites. I think otherwise. We must always believe that there is hope for our country. Even though their nation is already powerful, Americans still work hard for better change. Hence they elected Obama as their president. What’s stopping Filipinos then? Before the US became the great country that it is now, it was also plagued with seemingly interminable challenges. But the Americans eventually overcame all the adversities facing them. Filipinos can equal or even surpass what Americans or other races have done to make their country great. Idealistic as it may sound, we just have to believe in ourselves and in our country. Progress will not come in a snap. We will need to work hard to attain it. And I know we can make our country better. I believe that, as what Marcos said, this nation can be great again.