I was browsing through Facebook and I saw an Ad from Nuffnang.com.Ph challenging bloggers to answer this question:
“If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?”
And so I immediately pulled my notepad and put to words the things that I have had in mind for quite some time now. And below is my response to this interesting topic:
Despite all the bad things that had happened and are currently happening to the Philippines like corruptions and typhoons, I still believe and I love my country and fellow Filipinos.
I am a strong advocate of education, not the kind of education we get from schools, although this plays a crucial role in a man’s life, but the kind of education we get from life. As I view my life and of those around me, I always ending up concluding that a person’s life really depends on how he views himself. And so a kind of education that will elevate one’s view of himself is what I want to give to the Philippines.
An education that will make an individual principle-based not circumstance or achievement-based kind of individual but principle-based. Why principle based? I’ll give you an example to better explain my thoughts and that you may find familiar.
A professional teacher rides in a Jeepney full of people. With head high, not looking at anyone, not even with a construction guy next to her, she simply stretched her arm towards the driver’s seat suggesting to “whom ever” to take her fare from off her hand and give it to the driver. Throughout the ride this teacher wore a poker face and worst, smirking while giving an occasional stare to a number of people in that ride.
Why does she acted that way? It’s obvious that she’s looked down at everyone in that SM Fairview to Bagong Silang jeepney ride. BUT before you and I make another comment on her, let’s take a closer look of ourselves first. We ALL are guilty of acting like this teacher once or twice or maybe every day of our lives.
It all boils down to how we see ourselves and those around us.
So why give this gift to my country?
Because this type of education I believe is far more important than Math or Science or History. A person who’d undergo this type of education will end up knowing who he really is and what is his role in this world. This kind of education will bring the best out of every individual who will seriously take every steps to grasp what is being taught. It’s gonna be like attending a seminar with Anthony Robbins together with Donald Trump and Stephen R. Covey concluding the seminar.
How about you If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift? Share your thoughts below or share this blog on Twitter and Facebook using the hash-tag #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014.
One thing that I wish I can give to the Philippines is a free medium of communication for every Juan. Every Juan wants to be connected in anyway to another Juan. That’s why we have at least one reunion, gathering, occasions, etc every year. Since we also have a trait that we are hardworking, some of us needs to work abroad or out of town, but Juan’s are known for their Close Family Ties, we can never celebrate holidays, birthdays without any transactions to our closest relatives and friends.
Text messages, video calls, telephone calls, etc. We have to admit that we are worried about our friends and families everytime there a new typhoon that’s coming. Juans are always here to lend a hand to their relatives - even strangers whenever it is needed. Juans are really creative, during the times we don’t have any options, we always find that ingenious ways of solving our problems. It would be really helpful if someone would help me grant my advocacy for every Juan.
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Now that’s interesting Lois Nicole and I think it’s going to be one awesome gift that I personally want to receive. Cheers for dropping by!
If there’s one thing that I can give my dear country that
would be …. The gift of Health.
I want to do a medical mission with the help ofNuffnang Philippines and Globe thru #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014
Health is wealth. No amount of money, time and effort can
ever, ever, bring the best of your health back, once it’s gone.
In my 6 years of practice as a nurse, I have seen how our
healthcare system struggles to provide quality care for our countrymen, may it be in manpower, medicines, or equipments both in the
community and hospital.
I’ve seen people deteriorating day by day because they can’t
afford to go to a doctor. I’ve seen
patients die because their
families didn’t have enough money to buy basic medicines.
I am believing that we can do something about this. One of
those needy, ailing, indigent patients could be your mom, dad, granparent,
relative, dear friend, loved one…
In short, we are all CONNECTED, one way or another. So it is
not just a matter of “about them” and “about us” because it is
ABOUT US — ALL OF US.
Your comment reminds me of an old adage that goes like “what is wealth when health is absent”.
Thanks for sharing your heart to our kababayans.
Cheers!
If I can give something to the Philippines that is immaterial, that would be Discipline. If one person wakes up one morning and decided that “starting today, I will follow rules and the law, I will be a disciplined citizen.” And religiously and conscientiously does this everyday for the rest of his life, and other people will see this change and because of this example others will follow suit. If this will be our mentality, don’t you think our country would be a better place to live in? Where: - people don’t throw their trash just anywhere, drivers follow their lanes, public utility vehicles stops at points only where it is allowed to drop or pick up passengers, people cross where it s only allowed to cross the street, motorists follow the speed limit and are diligent, people know how to fall in line and don’t cut in a line, we arrive in meetings or gatherings on time, we don’t vandalize and other thousand more things that we can do to show discipline.
The tangible thing that I want to give to the Philippines is the gift of Education. I still strongly believe that education is the key for success; yes, there are those who make their lives and the lives of their loved ones easier and comfortable by making a living and succeeding in their fields even though they have not finished school. But that’s one in a million. Having proper education will still give someone an edge to survive in this world. One can get a better paying job, thus, one will have greater chances of helping his/her family for a better life.
With that being said, to answer the question: “If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?”, I would like #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014 help me by Adopting a Scholar or Donating to REAL LIFE FOUNDATION.
Real LIFE Foundation is a christian non-profit, NGO that was incorporated in 2007 with the vision of seeing thousands of marginalized Filipino youth educated, gainfully employed and uplifting their communities. The goal of Real LIFE Foundation is to transform lives, families & communities through hope and education. Real LIFE Foundation is one of the organizations that is in line with what I believe in. Like them, I strongly regard that education is the key to a better life.
The foundation does not only help its recipients by paying for their tuition, but they also help equip them in most, if not all, that they will need to finish college and what they’ll be needing when they start looking for a job. They hold personality development coaching for the scholars and even tackles on how to dress and present their selves properly during job interviews and when they’re already employed. Also, the students’ other miscellaneous expenses will be covered, like books, uniforms, OJT expenses and a daily meal & transportation allowance. Because of that the scholars don’t have to worry if they will be able to eat or get to school.
As I’ve said awhile back, Real LIFE Foundation does not only focuses on the financial side of putting a student in school but also comprehensively addresses the needs of their scholars that will help them thrive after finishing school. This is done through their LIFE Coaching, which is the character development program of the Real LIFE Foundation and which provides mentoring for their scholars in Leadership, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence.
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Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts on the subject Jen
Kung may isang bagay akong ireregalo sa Pilipinas, ito ay pagmamahal at pagpapahalaga ng mga Pilipino sa ating bayan. Kung makikita lamang nating lahat ang ganda at ituturing na espesyal sa atin ang bansang ito, iingatan at pangangalagaan natin ang Pilipinas.
Sa aking palagay dito mag-uugat ang kaunlaran ng ating bayan. Tayong mga Pilipino ang yaman ng ating bayan. Kaya sana ibalik natin ang yaman na ito sa Pilipinas. Marami sa atin ang pinipiling sa ibang bansa magtrabaho dahil sa hirap ng buhay. Kung sana lang maganda ang kalidad ng trabaho dito sa Pilipinas ay dito na lamang nila pipiliing magtrabaho. Sa loob ng 40 taon, naunahan na tayo ng mga kapitbahay nating bansa pagdating sa paglago ng ekonomiya.
Hindi ang Pilipinas ang umuunlad kung di ang ibang bansa na pinili ng ating mag kababayan na pagtrabahuhan. Sana ngayong henerasyon at sa susunod pa, pagtulong-tulungan nating mga Pilipino na ang Pilipinas naman ang paunlarin.
Kung may pagpapahalaga ang mga Pilipino sa Pilipinas, wala sana tayong polusyon ngayon. Katulad ng isang bahay, hindi mo hahayaang madumi ito at hindi mo din ito dudumihan. Hindi ka magtatapon ng kalat sa kung saan. Ituturing mo ang bansang ito bilang iyong tahanan na hindi mo kailanman pababayaan na masira.
Sa tulong ng Globe, maaari nating bigyan ang bawat tao sa isang komunidad na gumawa ng isang resolusyon (kagaya nang hinding hindi nako kailanman magtatapon ng basura sa maling lugar) para sa bansang ito na personal at espesyal sa kanila. Isang bagay na sa tingin nila, na kahit maliit, ay makatutulong sa ating bayan. Maaaring bawat taon, kapag natupad ito ng mga mamamayan, bigyan sila ng Globe ng gantimpala. Ngunit kung iisipin, hindi ang gantimpala ang mahalaga kundi ang mga maliliit na resolusyon na natupad sa loob ng isang taon.
Sabi nga ng aking propesor, pahahalagahan mo lang ang isang bagay kapag nakita mo na ang tunay na ganda at espesyal na parte nito sa iyong buhay.
Maaaring mapangarap ang regalong aking napili pero hindi ito imposible. Magsisimula ito sa ating mga sarili. At sana sa pagdating ng panahon na lahat tayo ay natutunan na ang tunay na halaga ng Pilipinas, hindi pa huli ang lahat.
Salamat sa regalo mo Bernadine
ako din ay mahal ko ang aking bayan.
This is a great idea! My gift to the Philippines though is a little different.
One thing I noticed is that whenever someone posts a picture showing the beauty of our country, Pinoys are quick to say, “Wow ang ganda! Parang wall ka sa Pinas!”
Why is that?
Our country is beautiful. I’m not only talking about white sand beaches or amazing waterfalls all over our tourism posters; I’m talking about beauty in the unexpected - a cozy little cafe in an eskinita in Quezon City, or an ukay haven hidden away in Paranaque. Our country is bursting with culture and stories to tell, but when Filipinos look around, they focus on the negative.
People don’t see the food trip opportunities around Katipunan, or the art and culture of The Collective, or the musical playground of Cubao X. How can we expect foreigners to appreciate our country when we can’t even do that ourselves? How can we expect to grow as a nation when we lack a very important aspect: love of country?
With this in mind, the idea I came up with is a website or app that shows the unexpected beauty of our country.
The purpose of the website/app is simple: Become a tourist in your own city, and fall in love with it. Just like how Parisians love Paris, or New Yorkers love the Big Apple, it’s possible for the people of Manila to fall in love with Manila - dirt, pollution, culture and all.
“MNL 143 - Love This City” - The site or app will thrive on submissions or posts by regular people. Users take photos of both popular and popular places they think people should see and experience. They can post great food finds, events, and other happenings that people rarely see or visit. They can also include a guide to the place! (ex. Newbie’s Guide to Divisoria) This gives people a chance to experience the city in a way they’ve never experienced before. I bet people who’ve lived in Manila their whole lives have yet to experience the city beyond the typical malls and will appreciate hole-in-the-wall boutiques and surprises. This project will allow Filipinos to appreciate our own, instead of always longing for the beauty of other countries.
Over time, the website/app can expand by including other cities like Cebu, Davao, etc. This project will do so much more than just supply Filipinos with information that will change the way they look at the country / the city. Instead of seeing Manila as overpopulated and dirty, maybe we can all start appreciating the culture and all the things Manila has to offer.
When you love someone, you are willing to do anything and make sacrifices to make that person happy. In the same manner, when you love your country, you become more cooperative if it means you’ll be contributing to its growth and development. Improving our country can’t come from political reforms or mass-feeding projects if we can’t even cover the basics. First, we must love our country, and the rest will follow.