Bayanihan: The Power of We

Bayanihan is a well known trait among Filipinos. This is where the "we" concept is very much alive.

It has been an age old tradition for citizens in the Philippines to help each other in times of need. Typically, the bayanihan spirit is most famous in a situation in the barrios wherein a family moves to a new location and their townmates would gather together to help move their house made of bamboo and light materials by carrying it on their shoulders.

The 1986 EDSA Revolution is a major event in the Philippines that displayed the "we" trait among Filipinos and one which caught the attention of other countries. Tired of the dictatorship regime of former president Ferdinand Marcos, people of all ages and religion flocked in droves to the EDSA Shrine in February of that year to protest against the Marcoses and throw him out of his presidency. So successful was this mass movement that the Marcos family was forced to leave the country at that time eventually leading to the establishment of democracy.

In times of natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes, the Filipinos also unite to help the victims in any way they can. Immediate actions of help by food, clothing and monetary donations are taken by companies and private individuals as a way to alleviate the sufferings of those affected.

This is how the "Power of We" is put into action in the Philippines. Through this bayanihan spirit, Filipinos have proven that they can topple a dictatorship, move for the establishment of democracy, stop corruption and unite to help people badly affected by natural disasters.

Filipinos are always resilient citizens the reason why they are admired by people from other nations. Thanks to this bayanihan spirit, we always find a way to stand up and move on after a storm in our lives. Long live the Philippines and to the Filipinos, mabuhay tayo!

This post is in commemoration of Blog Action Day 2012 on October 15.

The "Ber" Months

September had gone by so fast. It's like it was here for only a few weeks and we're now in the second "Ber" month. Time flies and in less than three months, we will welcome Christmas once again.

Christmas is a very special occasion for most of us here in the Philippines. We always look forward to it and we even prepare for its coming at the start of September. And so it's only in the Philippines where Christmas is celebrated the longest because it spans the entire "Ber" months.

Another point is that it's not only the families that are readying their homes for the holidays because even the shopping malls are one in this early Christmas preparation. We see homes already being decorated with the usual stuff -- Christmas tree with colorful lights, mistletoe and other decors. At the malls, all items that have to do with the Yuletide season are already out for sale. Some are even offered at a lower price.

I strongly believe that the early Christmas preparation is the Filipinos' way of staying positive amidst the possibility that they won't have everything they want this coming holiday season. At least, we all look forward to this joyful season with hope in our hearts and that's the spirit we need to have regardless of our status in life.

So stay hopeful and joyful!!

After the Storm

Several super typhoons have hit the Philippines in recent years causing so much devastation in properties and agricultural land. The latest Typhoon Ondoy that hit Metro Manila and nearby provinces caused the same flashfloods that hit Panay in Western Visayas in 2008 due to Typhoon Frank. People were caught offguard due to the rapid rise of floodwaters that resulted from overflowing rivers.

My heart went out to the victims and at the time I was monitoring the news as it happened on TV, I also got worried about friends and relatives in the affected areas in Luzon. I have my own experience with floods when I was younger and I must admit it can really bring trauma to affected people especially those who have lost family members and relatives as well as their homes.

Natural calamities like these make many of us sad but life has to go on. Filipinos are a unique lot and they know how to stand up after a fall. I salute those who helped other people during the flashfloods whether they know each other or not, to those who gave their time to help pack relief goods, to private companies that donated hundreds of thousands or even millions of pesos worth of their products and to private citizens who donated cash and used clothings for the victims. This bayanihan spirit of cooperation is so alive in most Filipinos during tragic situations and this is what makes me proud to be a Filipino.

Tribute to Tita Cory

Most Filipinos wherever they are in the world are saddened by the passing away of former president Corazon Aquino yesterday. But somehow despite the grief we feel, most of us are also glad that her suffering has ended and she is finally reunited with her husband Ninoy Aquino. It's one of her wishes during her last days as shared by her spokesperson Deedee Siytangco.

Tita Cory, as she is known to us Filipinos, was a role model and inspiration not only as a president but also as a mother. She was the first woman to become president of a country and one who always wanted to unite the Filipino people. She was not only a mother to her children but to all Filipinos who believed in her. As a mother, she was strong in her faith to God and was very loving to her family. She raised her children well with the right values since the time Ninoy was in jail until he was killed. Also, we have been witness to how she was a doting grandma to her grandchildren.

I know how it feels to lose an important figure in life having lost a dear father myself almost four years ago. But I'm sure Tita Cory prepared her children and other family members by stressing the importance of praying together and I know they will be able to move on with their lives with the memory of their beloved mother always alive in their hearts.

Thank you, Tita Cory for sharing your life to the Filipinos. We will miss you.