A Plea to my Countrymen in the Philippines - Elections 2016
MARILOU CATAMORA MCCONNELL·
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016
When I regained my Philippine citizenship recently, I was just as ecstatic as I was when I became an American citizen few years ago. The election in the Philippines is fast approaching, and I couldn't wait to cast my votes! To my great dismay, my Filipino consulate told me I am already late with my registration, thus doing so is no longer possible for me. What a bummer!
Politics is something I feel awkward talking about, and so I steer clear from engaging myself with people discoursing about it, let alone if the discussion is being fired up. I've noticed that any political topics, as has been evident in the social media, have somehow become a surefire way to start a heated argument or even a fight. The Bible says in Titus 3:9 "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." So I urge you guys to just be calm and be at peace with everyone. Be fully aware that the avid followers of these presidential candidates and their minions are likely closed-minded (including myself) and debating with them is like chasing each other in a loop - just running in circles. No one gives in, and no one wins! Who is my presidential candidate? I'd rather be tight-lipped on this regard. I presume that my countrymen already have their candidates in mind, etched in their hearts. I can't vote, but I want to do something with this message and I hope that this will somehow shed some light.
Fact is, The Philippines has all the elements that exemplify a beautiful country; and yes, she is indeed a very beautiful country! The sun, sand, beaches, natural resources, fresh foods, the Filipinos (very hospitable), etc., are just a few to name that encapsulate a perfect place to live. I don't like tooting my own horn, but try asking someone that has been there (like my husband) and you'll surely hear praises from them. However, our country's beauty is losing its luster. We are hitting rock bottom and that is forthright inevitable if our nation remains the same. With all the negativities (corrupt officials, dangerous place to visit/live - not totally true, just being magnified, etc.) surmounting upon her, Filipinos are getting helpless for a change. What happened to our nation that was once hailed as the second richest country in Asia (2nd to Japan)? What happened to our natural resources of which we were blessedly abundant? We are fully equipped to make our country wealthy and healthy, but what happened?! Filipinos are basically industrious, resourceful, stoic of any pains, and they thrive to succeed, but in spite of these qualities, they are still trapped in a blank wall where there is nothing, nowhere and noone else to ask for help. They ran out, or nothing at all, of opportunities (even college graduates have a hard time finding a job) and are stuck in poverty. Remember, poverty is the biggest cause of crimes in our country. No one condones any forms of crimes, and committing such is not an excuse of poverty. But for those who fell into that class, it could be their only means of survival. How ironic is it that while we are rich with natural resources, but we are struggling; and while we are the bastion of Christianity among the Asian countries, and yet, we fall short of morals? Aren't we supposed to be the paragon of virtues as we claim to be Christians? The only thing that doesn't change is change, how come our nation seems unchanged?
Nevertheless, I understand the Filipinos' predicaments because I am also a Filipino. Filipinos want the "change" for our nation, for her future, for ourselves and the next generations' future! Whatever change it may be, as long as it will help put our country back to the highest pedestal, then let it be! The election is coming and while we entrust our nation's future to the coming elected officials, we are empowered to choose them. We need change (okee, it's getting redundant, but whatever) and it has to start within ourselves - start it by electing the right people.
I reiterate, we are Christians and, therefore, should embody the characters that bear the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Let's stop this political spite, blaming people, fighting each other that potentially has already strayed our real cause from its trail. We believe in the power of prayer! And, that is the power we are given - TO PRAY! The Bible advised to "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
We have to acknowledge that we are just human beings who are susceptible to errors and what we think is right could be wrong, and vice-versa. I convey everyone to pour our hearts out to God and ask for his guidance that will enable you to write down the right names on those paper ballots. Let us cry out loud to God to give you the sound judgment and to vote wisely. Vote for what you believe are the rightful leaders, but let us not pray for our candidates rather LET US PRAY FOR THE RIGHT ONES TO LEAD OUR NATION. Let us pray that God may heal us and our land. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chron. 7:14
I wish to relay this message to our running candidates (and to all of us as well): "A person might possess everything in the world, there is possible - the power, wealth and possessions, intelligence, wisdom, beauty, etc., but all of these are no longer relevant when we die. We are just transients in this world and so when that time comes that we leave on this earth, what only matters is what the people can/will remember about us - bad or good. When we die, we will rather be remembered by our legacy, the good memories, the good deeds, the inspirations, and things as such that have touched their lives. To our future leaders, whoever you are, I hope and pray that whatever are in your platforms underlie the sincerity and selflessness to help our nation and our people."
God bless!
