Phil. Ind. Day 2019 Sydney
Repost
June 12, 2019
The longest write up I remembered writing as a DDS Correspondence Staff under the leadership of Rado Gatchalian under a pen name Jana Phez.
With Cynthia and Rado Gatchalian, Sydney DDS Leader in Barong, and Renan Legaspi our group's official and professional photographer - during the 121st Philippine Independence Day Night Ball held at Four Seasons Hotel, 199 George Street, The Rocks last June 8, 2019
MY DRAMATIC ENTRANCE TO PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY
When was the last time I personally participated in this supposedly solemn event? If my memory didn't fail me, I believe it was in 1960 when I was in Grade 4. I had the longest poem (I could no longer remember even its title) recited in front of the audience in our town; then it was named, Karomatan which is located in the south-western part of the province of Lanao del Norte in Northern Mindanao (Region X).
My best and shortest Independence Day verse was performed in the same place in 1958 when I was in Grade 2 under Mrs. Elena Quibranza, my teacher and my neighbour. This was my first public appearance and my first portal of entry to poetry. The lines went this way:
"Flag of our Motherland
May you float over the sea and land
May you ever glorious be
The bright banner of liberty!"
What a lovely patriotic feeling this characteristic verse evoked! Short and concise but it carries the essence that gives you pride and honour to behold the flag, the symbol of our country, of freedom from the tyrannies of colonialism that invaded our native shores.
But was there really a FREEDOM? Was it ours? Or was it someone's Freedom shoved into our throat, and, US, the naive Filipinos forcibly danced while choking in the tableau of whose hands played the puppetry. Yes, we have been PUPPETS, not just for a long time (understatement), but for centuries!
As the history of our independence would have it, it is in reality, painfully ironic to realise that everything that was taught to us by the books at school was all farcical; spoon-fed by historians, and machinated by the influential powers, by the Lording over of every tyrants' era whoever came to trample us, deceived us, persecuted us, oppressed us since time immemorial.
Lifting a paragraph from Al Raposa's blog, it reads:
"On June 12, the Philippines commemorates Independence Day once more. The current legal basis of this holiday is Republic Act No. 4166, which changed the date from July 4 to June 12. However, the Filipino experience of fighting for independence may seem a peculiar one for the rest of the world. For instance, the United States from Britain (1775-1783), the nations of South America from Spain (1810-1833), and Romania from the Ottoman Empire (1877), among others, all fought for and won their armed struggle for independence. As for the Philippines, we formally celebrate our independence on a date when we did not even win it yet. What are we independent from? Should we celebrate it in the first place? This led to criticism that we are remembering an empty and false independence day. If that is the case, when should we celebrate Filipino independence? A number of dates have been forwarded throughout the years …"
Please read, study and ponder: FREEDOM IS NOT FREE: A LOOK INTO FILIPINO INDEPENDENCE DAY, written in June 8, 2017 —
https://history-ph.blogspot.com/2017/06/independence-day.html
Take note of the factual undertone of the writer, "What are we independent from? Should we celebrate it in the first place?" He even quoted Dr. Jose Rizal's rhetoric "Why independence, if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?" (El Filibusterismo). Isn't it discernible that it is still happening today?
Until President Rodrigo Roa Duterte became the president, much thoughts were considered in every Filipino minds that awaken them to the realities of life how our past were burdened with grievances, sorrows and turmoils as our forefathers and today's people suffered from the hands of the tyrants: foreign invaders, crooked and corrupt politicians and government workers, the insatiable avarice of the oligarchs, the manipulative interferences and meddling of organised religions and even individual wicked entities that pushed the country down to bottomless pit of poverty and eternal economic hardships. His leadership came at an incredible speed of time measured by the increasing anomalous and scandalous drug era that would render the country beyond redemption had it been fallen into the same hands of despotic "decent" leaders in the last 2016 Presidential Election.
THE PRESIDENT'S ADVOCACY LIVES ON
In alignment to President Roa Duterte's advocacy, KALAYAAN 2019 bannered a uniformed theme across the seas — "Courage of the Nation, Compassion for the People (Tapang ng Bayan, Malasakit sa Mamamayan)." The theme on reflection is what lives in the heart of our current leader, a selfless and true humble servant of the Filipino people through his non-whimsical style that was never witnessed before.
His deep love for the country which has driven him to serve the people and his desire to protect them is depicted by this patriotic song composed by Francisco Santiago and written by Ildefonso Santos.
"Ang bayan ko'y tanging ikaw,
Pilipinas kong mahal.
Ang puso ko at buhay man,
sa iyo'y ibibigay.
Tungkulin kong gagampanan,
na lagi kang paglingkuran.
Ang laya mo'y babantayan,
Pilipinas kong hirang."
This should be in every Filipino's consciousness as a law-abiding citizen. A very simple act of patriotism that doesn't even require a tome of weighty constitution. Serve with heart, mind and soul as our sublime duty to our country instead of toiling on filthiness to advantage oneself, to the disadvantage of the others. Protect it from the tyrants instead of trampling and feeding the country to the dogs, hogs and wogs.
We only have one country. We were told in our youth, that it is "The Pearl of the Orient Seas!" Sadly even before our generation came into existence, this gem that lies in once an island paradise was already lost. Dr. Jose Rizal lamented that loss in his immortal work "MY LAST FAREWELL".
"Farewell, my adored Land,
region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea,
our Eden lost..."
Hence, even in his prime time, in his sunset of life, this persistent President continues to swim against the current of impossibilities, against his enemies who are growing in multitude, against international pressures, against time - so his goals will be meet at least before his term ends. Even so, in spite of so many upheavals bordered by unchartered territories, and his potent oppositions; his strategic achievements and accomplishments far exceeded any historical records of the past Presidents. Some of his programs are still under sabotaged caused by unrelenting impediments by his opponents with the aim of discrediting him so that the people will lose hope and faith in him but to no avail.
FILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Meanwhile, the Filipino-Aussies under the auspices of the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales, Inc. (PCC NSW) as supported by the Philippine Consulate General Sydney Office organised a Philippine National Day Ball in celebrating the 121st Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day held at Four Seasons Hotel Grand Ball Room last June 8, 2019 in Sydney. A well attended affair with honourable guests, family and friends, it was a room packed with people wearing their resplendent Filipino traditional attires which represented Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
As "we commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of our forefathers to bring forth Asia's first republic", Maria Teresa L. Taguiang, the Consul-General in Sydney also acknowledged that "the task of building a strong, stable and prosperous Republic starts with the people's choice of the right men and women to lead their country."
The active participations and supports of the Filipino communities in New South Wales in promoting projects and activities such as our Philippine culture, arts and heritage has inspired her which "proves beyond doubt that our concern for our motherland and bayanihan spirit are alive and well", she said in her speech on that night.
Alric Bulseco, who is the current President of PCCNSW, emphasised in his message that "it is fundamentally important to note that for the Filipino community to survive and maintain a strong presence in Australia's multicultural mainstream society, particularly in New South Wales, it has to consolidate together and stay firmly united."
The New South Wales Premier, Gladys Berejiklian MP was represented by The Honourable John Sidoti MP to speak on her behalf, and who gave his astounding impression of the remarkable economic contributions of the Filipino community with special mention of Blacktown community.
The night's program was capped by a Ceremonial Toast to the Country and to the Philippine Community Council of New South Wales. Songs, dance and entertainment came in between flowing drinks, dinner and coffee break with photo taking insertions.
It was a joyful celebration to be had by all. I was just glad that it wasn't infused with narratives of flakey history as a kind of "remembering an empty and false independence day" as written by Al Raposa.
"Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha at dalita
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya!"
By Jana Phez
Co-authored by Leah C. Dancel
For Du30 Correspondence
June 13, 2019
#AlRaposa
#LeahDancel
#PRRD
#PhilippineIndependenceDay
Published at Rado Gatchalian's THE FILOsopher
FB MEME, June 13, 2019
