With what’s happening around the world today, there should be no room to make mountains out of molehills.
In the Philippines, I’m pretty sure there are hundreds of groups celebrating Independence Day every year. So what’s the difference if more groups in Dubai want to celebrate it too?
Are we really united?
True unity is not only shown through events with scented battle cries. True unity comes with empathy – how we come together especially in times of crisis, and how we rejoice for others’ successes – regardless if we belong to different groups.
Why can’t multiple celebrations co-exist? The worst thing we can do to commemorate what our heroes have done for our country is to be legalistic. Jose Rizal has defied many Spanish legalities when he pushed for reform. Andres Bonifacio was a revolutionist. KKK secretly convened because the legalities are suppressing. Yet we are honoring them. If not for them, there will be no Independence Day at all.
Power of two, not power play
Why can’t we just look at one being an “official” event, and the other as a privately-organized event – a “people’s choice” perhaps?
Is it much easier to throw shades against each other than to throw support? If I see more people celebrating patriotism, I would be elated.
We are not kids anymore. We don’t need petty bickering (I can’t believe I still have to say this). If we can’t shrug off politics, we are taking the public away from the real essence of why we are celebrating Independence Day in the first place. The more we focus on this issue, the more we drift away from the purpose. What’s there to celebrate?
How can we preach freedom if our hearts are locked by hatred, insecurities, and grudge?
People continue to lose their jobs, families have growing health concerns, and the Filipino community is divided on having 2 Independence Day celebrations? C’mon! We are better than this.
