Cultural Revolution, why not?

There is something wrong with this country, that's for sure. It looks like we are in a void of uncertainties going round and round in circles and draining all our energies. Everyone seems to have his or her solution, but not every one is taking a firm stand. There's a serious problem yet we address it with an idle hand, some with much ease, some with much vigor, but almost everyone with blind faith. Hopelessness is with each answer that we utter, reluctance with each try to present a solution on the table. We say we should do this and do that yet somehow we doubt it can really solve the problem. We are immersed in a binding uncertainty that we can solve anything at all.

But still many claims they have what it takes to change this country, flaunting their short handed means as the only saving grace for this country. Many others claim their answers may not solve all problems, but will surely solve a great deal many of them. They may be right and I believe in some of them, and totally disagree with many of them, but somehow every line of solution I try to follow always leads me back to the start. Back to its roots. I believe every option we have can hardly save this country, that what our cries and calls can not change this country essentially. We can not continue on with our short-handed solutions without seeing them as only means to a higher and more significant goal. Our desires can only move us a step forward, what we deserve is a giant Leap. Whatever solutions we have laid on the table will only scratch the surface, what we need is to do is to dismantle the problem.

The answer is not a coup d'etat and definitely not a junta. The world is our witness to this type of governance. Not a Transitional government, most especially not a self proclaimed council of "more than one." How can we expect seven persons to take a lead when even one president can't even make up her own mind to a lot of things? Not even the act of forgiveness can save us, it could save her but not us, worse it can bring this country to hell. Resorting to the forgive-and-forget act will not only make us look ridiculous but will tantamount as well to mocking the Constitution and the Law itself. Not even deviation can help us, it is a form of deep repression if we try to right a wrong by looking away at the real problem, only to stare at a clogged Peso and a groundless Economy. Not even Gloria's resignation can assure this country of a better future, getting rid of one cheat will not solve the culture of the cheats, getting rid of one corrupt will not destroy corruption. But will definitely restore the dignity and integrity this country deserves. But most especially not indifference can help us, a blind eye can literally kill this country.

No matter how desperate we try to reform our politics and economy we can only achieve so much, i doubt we can achieve any substantial and tangible changes. Everyone knows the root cause of our problem is deep in our culture. Our Culture molds our people to be corrupt, to be incompetent, to be inadequate, to feel small. We have not given prime importance into trying to address the negative attitudes and virtues that plagues our Culture.

When I think of Filipino Culture, it is highlighted with all the negative and discouraging traits, it is hard to think of Filipino culture as being positive and effective. If this is Filipino Culture then i believe we should start to take this seriously. As far as i can see we are not trying, we are doing nothing about the aspects of our culture which seem to be regarded or used negatively: the virtue of palakasan, patronage, sponsorship, extreme lack of conduct and discipline, language deficiency, indulgence, ningas cogon, crab mentality, small mindedness, utang na loob, resignation, self-centeredness, mañana habit, pakikisama, Hiya etc. The list is so long that lately i wonder if there's a culture as bad and as ineffective as ours, and isn't it any wonder why aren't there any significant efforts exerted towards to solving these problems. Everyone seems to be comfortable with this, we have no problem at all with what culture we possess. And worse some people, even the president, promotes and gratifies them even further (e.g. corruption of course, Palakasan, evident between the GMA and ABS-CBN rivalry, small mindedness, GMA posing in a newspaper promoting a midget LPG as if it is a cure for cancer or something etc.)

Everyone should take his or her stand with what is happening with this country. Whatever means we believe in, it should be for the better. The only thing we do not need right now is indifference, to not take a stand and to play blind from our problems. It is easy to say "wala akong paki alam" because we have lost any sense of ethnocentric view of our pagka- Filipino, that our concept of territory or homeland can easily shift from here to there and out there. How easy it is for a Filipino to migrate or adopt to foreign culture? How many races and nationalities can say how easy it is to live abroad and get out of the country? I guess if we had not know Uncle Tom (kapatid ni Uncle Sam) we wouldn't have any choice but to rot here in this country because by then we have learned nothing but our selves and ourselves alone. How easy it is to say we do not care because there are second homes out there ready, waiting for us. easy!

I guess if anyone should take a stand, he or she should start now and to stand his or her ground seriously. Before we can even dream of Political and economic Reforms, wouln't it be only proper and strategically advantageous if we Reform our Culture first? All answers presently laid on the table can only be tools and starting points to a greater and higher goal. Kumbaga undercard lang ang mga yan, ang main bout ay ang culture change.

But of course getting rid of Gloria and having a re-election is a great way to start this reform-the-culture movement. But then, mukhang mas mahirap ata pa-alisin si gloria kesa baguhin ang kultura. Ayan! that is my stand. Cultural Revolution, why not. etu?