Independence Day–I am Proud to be a Filipino

Posted on June 12, 2007
Filed Under Campaign for Peace amd Governance, Celebration | Viewed 1221 times

I am proud to be a Filipino! Despite my losing hope in the system, I tend to bounce back—there might be a flicker of chance after all, for the sake of our children, who are tomorrow’s leaders.

Son, Vincent Paolo, along with other students from Ateneo and a few other schools, was interviewed by The Daily Tribune, on “What Does Independence Mean To You”.

I quote below his response, which appeared in today’s issue, under the Life Section:

First of all, I never believed in the concept of freedom from slavery since we never should have been enslaved by another country anyway. Freedom is present in every human being and should not be seen as a whole. The Filipino people should have never thought of themselves as being slaves, and fought against the grasp of the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese centuries ago. The declaration of independence is simply a reminder of freedom, not really a declaration.

Dr. Jose Rizal may be considered as our national hero, not because he died for our freedom, but he lived and died to remind us of our freedom. On June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo, together with the rest of the Filipino people came to a realization that they were in fact free. And this was the only time they raised arms against the foreign invaders. Today, when we talk about independence day, we think of the flag, the national anthem, and the revolution which we thought got back our freedom. While in fact, this should serve only as a constant reminder that we are indeed free.

Comments

24 Responses to “Independence Day–I am Proud to be a Filipino”

aMgiNe on June 12th, 2007 8:32 pm

he actually has a good point and it was well said.
Em Dy on June 12th, 2007 10:26 pm

Wonderfully said. Mama must be very proud.
rHo on June 13th, 2007 12:38 am

i am a proud filipino too!!
Kongkong622 on June 13th, 2007 7:43 am

Atenistang atenista!! Nicely said and only goes to show that your son is just as proud, like his Mama, to be a dyed-in-the-wool Pinoy. I’m liking him already
jun on June 13th, 2007 7:56 am

Vincent Paolo is correct. Remember Viktor Frankl? He was free despite being in a concentration camp. We can be slaves despite having all the “don’t do this” lifted and “I’ll do whatever we want” is our motto.

Our common concept of freedom is severely limited by what we see and what is happening or what we believe. Therein lies our freedom – our choice.

I am proud to be a Filipino. And I choose to be free.

@D: Re: Hope in the Country: Just look at your kids – and see that flicker ignite to a blaze, blurring out all the negativity around. I see a conflagration already =) Let their fire engulf us all!
cArLoTtA on June 13th, 2007 8:56 am

mabuhay! =)
Leah on June 13th, 2007 10:18 am

What a good insight from your son. So be proud! be proud. both as a Filippino and as a mom.
Happy Independence Day.
tina on June 13th, 2007 10:18 am

wow what a nice answer! very well said…
tofubaby on June 13th, 2007 11:17 am

Very well said. I am a proud Filipino as well.
jho on June 13th, 2007 12:33 pm

a very good answer from your son.
Belle on June 13th, 2007 1:33 pm

well said, Vince! your mama, am sure, is very very proud of you.

Happy Independence day!
Mari on June 13th, 2007 3:06 pm

Good answer from your son, sexy mom.

I always proudly say I am a Filipino…when others mistake me for a Hawaiian or something else.
Paris on June 13th, 2007 4:41 pm

I’m proud to be a Filipino as well and it’s an honor to serve other Filipinos
Gypsy on June 13th, 2007 5:23 pm

Wow, I hope there are more youths like your son—youths who have are not only concerned for themselves but has profound concern for the country…
Kyels on June 13th, 2007 5:47 pm

Happy Independence Day!

[:
ba on June 13th, 2007 7:11 pm

Too bad they had to move the no class day to the 11th. It really didn’t feel like a day of independence to me.
Manila Mom on June 13th, 2007 7:23 pm

Congratulations to mother and son!

He has a deeper grasp of the concept of freedom – freedom in spirit and of the spirit. This freedom can never be taken away by anyone and any circumstances. Just shows how well he has been taught and raised at home.

Times like this are priceless for a mother
dimaks on June 14th, 2007 12:19 am

In fact, before the known invaders/colonizers came, there already exist local governing bodies as reflected by the Datus and Sultans. As far as my limited knowledge on history is concerned. Hence, there really was a valid reason to repel and fight against colonization given our innate freedom and independence.
Cielo on June 14th, 2007 12:55 am

wow mommy dine, you must really be proud of your son, at his young age it really shows what values in life you have instilled in your kiddos.
Sexy Mom on June 14th, 2007 9:03 am

thanks to you all in the same way that i am proud to be a Filipino, i am proud of Vince—he seems to grow up to be an upright citizen (keep it up, Vince), loving his country, loving his school, loving his family, loving our God. same goes with his siblings, too.

aren’t we all proud of our sons and daughters?
kimmy on June 16th, 2007 8:28 pm

i never looked at freedom that way. how enlightening.
annamanila on June 17th, 2007 7:49 pm

Your son does himself and his mom proud! He does us all proud! Good point about the idea of enslavement. In our hearts of hearts … we can never be bondaged.
vk-mahalkaayo on June 18th, 2007 7:52 am

I am proud to be a Pilipina….

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!!
Thoughts on Independence Day : The D Spot on June 9th, 2008 2:58 pm

[...] will come when they will no longer appreciate what that holiday is all about. Like, when really is Independence Day, or what does Independence Day stand for. Something to do with our culture, yes. I came to realize [...]