I don't know a lot of things about my Philippines. Probably I know a little about the basics but I try to get out of politics since I may find myself judging someone. It's not that they make bad decisions or label them corrupt. But I know this for sure, I am also a subject of corruption myself. I can be considered irresponsible and a dying Filipino. I am guilty of many things, I preached my country like it was equal to rags. I have idolized richer countries, and praised other nationalities. And when it comes to comparing, I usually treat her as the second best.
It's quite hard spitting these things, but I am happy to find myself speaking up not to my friends or whoever Filipino there is, but rather to myself knowing that I still have faith in myself. A faith that there is still hope of changing how I look at my country and faith that is purely reasoned by love.
My recent escape stretching from the capital city of Manila to Polilio island have brought me a lot of things to learn and to reflect upon. The love for God and the innate discovery of my love towards the Philippines grew on me. Three days was enough to learn how to speak firmness of why I really love my country and not to be found dead on my lips. I was at my glorious awe, painfully searching myself and asking why I have been blinded for so many years.
I love the Philippines mainly because of its imperfections; the way it teaches me to live a life of maturity, simplicity, and the dependence in a higher being. The second thing why I love my motherland is the space for change. A big word for me since this is what we have all been longing for. Out there is a need for a big change, and I'm happy I could participate in that journey.
Traveling around the Philippines enabled me to search my soul, and learned what the Philippines is truly rich for. The calmness of the shore, and the wind dancing behind my ears have helped me realize that we all have one thing in common; our capacity to change things. I can no longer praise nor idolize other nations for my country needs a Filipino to speak out and be proud of its own.
King David was right with what he said, "If I change, everything will change". As I was hundreds of kilometers from home, I opened myself for change which has become my summer experience that I will never ever forget.
It made me love my Philippines; it made me change.
