the time of our lives

"witnessing to one’s deepest convictions, notwithstanding the consequences, is the measure of our humanity. proclaiming the truth to others, whatever the cost, is the mark of authentic humanity."
- manoling francisco, sj, "reclaiming our humanity", homily at the mass for rodolfo noel lozada jr.

again, the philippines is experiencing a shake-up of events. jun lozada, a person who has worked with the government, has exposed the extent of graft and corruption that the present administration is involved in. he has implicated the first family in embezzlement of millions of dollars from a national infrastructure project. it has been made very public with televised senate hearings. though one can try hard to get away from it, inevitably, it can't escape the public consciousness.

these are hard times for the country by taking on a very bitter pill. we have put this president into power during the peaceful revolution back in 2001 and now face the consequences of being unable to provide a consistent accountability structure with regards to government spending. it shows that we, as a filipino people, have not fully opened our wounds for healing.

but beautiful times as well. i see this as the perfect opportunity for transformation, both as individuals and as a society. when i marched along with a million others during the second peaceful mass uprising of 2001, i knew that i could make a difference. i knew from then on that my voice can be heard and that there's an awesome opportunity for change. i know what its like to fight for my country.

on my end, i guess i just forgot that this is a continuous process, it doesn't end with just a single event of installing a new president but rather to take a look at the wounds that have haunted our nation and finally allow it to heal. it is a tipping point, a time where we can set things right and continue towards that path of healing and redemption. what i can see now is not another mass uprising but rather a coalescing group hungry for change, seeking the truth, reclaiming its humanity and pushing forward in action.

real and lasting change has started: people putting up new businesses and providing a number of citizens with jobs, ngo's and foundations empowering the marginalized, the rise of social entrepreneurship, an organized accountability structure on the side of civil society and an amazing private construction boom that the country has never experienced before.

it takes some pounding to break that wall down but slowly and surely, the cracks are starting to show. these are beautiful and amazing times indeed. not often is a society, a country given an opportunity to heal so quickly, so profoundly.

i believe that there are great things destined for this nation. i love my country. more than ever, i am proud to be filipino.