The_philippines_a_century_hence.docx

THE PHILIPPINES A CENTURY HENCE Collaboration with Ms. Shanise Geri Villanueva Edited by: Maria Bernadette Red

One of the greatest things that Dr. Jose Rizal ever wrote was his essay, ‘The Philippines a Century Hence’. He made a lasting impression on the Philippines, on how our country was at the time he wrote it, and how he sees it will become in the future. Well, the future is now, and some of his predictions actually came true.

On one of his lines from the essay, Rizal stated: “Perhaps the country will revive the maritime and mercantile life for which the islanders are fitted by their nature, ability and instincts, and once more free, like the bird that leaves its cage like the flower that unfolds to the air, will recover the pristine virtues that are gradually dying out and will again become addicted to peace -- cheerful, happy, joyous, hospitable and daring.”

For us, what Rizal meant in his statement is that the country will once again engage in trade and relations with other countries in a peaceful manner, and that this will pave the way for a free and well-governed Philippines. The country and her citizens will feel even freer since they have significant relations with different races without the aspect of fear, as that imposed by the Spanish in the Spanish rule.

We think that his prediction came true through the recent APEC Summit in the Philippines. Through the APEC Summit, our country was able to meet other ambassadors from Asia Pacific and they were able to discuss issues and problems and what they can do about it to strengthen the countries’ bond as well as their global relationships. It paved a good way for us to realize that we are in control of our own country, and at the same time, we are also in a healthy relationship with not only the other Asian countries, but also the world. Even though that not all countries are at peace, it is a good start in promoting world peace. It is an honor that our country, the Philippines, is part of this movement.

Secondly, Rizal also stated: “A numerous enlightened class now exists within and without the Islands, a class created and continually augmented by the stupidity of certain governing powers, which forces the inhabitants to leave the country, to secure education abroad, and it is maintained and struggles thanks to the provocations and the system of espionage in vogue. This class, whose number is cumulatively increasing, is in constant communication with the rest of the Islands, and if today it constitutes only the brain of the country in a few years it will form the whole nervous system and manifest its existence in all its acts.”

This is not something not oblivious for a country who had suffered more than enough for being distinctively indifferent among others. Being a third-world country, that –may be okay. But what we do here is consciously famished for everything that would take us to the top while unconsciously feeding on helpless and humble people who cannot discover that they are able of also doing such things to be equally judged same as the ‘enlightened class’. The enlightened class, the breeding of these people gets the first class of their wants and needs. From basic food, water, shelter, clothing and literacies. Yes it is an instinct to desire for a high quality life that would surely secure our bloodlines’ future. Modern example are when parents leave their children, go abroad and find a decent job; leave the country and go schooling on universities that will surely work every folds of your brain. Teens would entertain products of foreign brands just to get in trends and be recognized by the society for being leveled with people their age on successful (first-world) countries. People outside the enlightened are like outsiders continuously being thrown outside their country and continuously homebound-foreign withdrawing what should have theirs a long time ago. People inside are much benefited each mutually by having the control of ‘powers’. Like time, it is dynamic but is constant and maintained by the same people who we treat as our own. Rizal’s predictions were made in the late nineteenth century. Now as we became millennial beings, the world steadies to progress and new developments. The Philippines, a

hundred years from now, would be very different. For us, there are two possibilities that may happen in the future.

First is poverty, like an application in phones and computers, it will definitely update itself; may improve, change or be stagnant but still exist. The basis? The unproductive and immatureness of the Filipinos through change and the ignorance in the possibilities of corruption. Beggars are everywhere. Both pity and guilt are the things you feel when you encounter them everywhere with their hands hold up; pleading for food and money. But the fact that we should not tolerate them for they will tolerate and accept themselves as poor for life. They should look for jobs, even simpler ones but legal; start from zero (make an effort) to make a decent living. For those children, they should not be allowed roaming and begging because we are actually teaching them to be dependent and demanding on charity. Public schools should be accessible to all, and therefore, the government should allocate a budget in improving this. Not only the schools but also for the homeless. Every Filipino has a right to live in a home and be educated. It is human right—it is being human.

Another is a manifestation of poverty, our second prediction is that the Philippines will be more exposed to pollution. Devastating but a fact. Pollution is a major problem in the Philippines (and for almost all countries in the world). With such ascending of buildings, electronics, cars, weaponry, factories and the descending of literate people still living in poverty, it is inevitable that pollution will exist.

Third, idealistic but there is a possibility that the Philippines will create an isolation from other countries. In the introduction of ‘The Philippines a Century hence’ there was a statement: “Then began a new era for the Filipinos. They gradually lost their ancient traditions, their recollections – they forgot their writings, their songs, their poetry, their laws, in order to learn by heart other doctrines, which they did not understand, other ethics, other tastes, different from those inspired in their race by their climate and their way of thinking”. We have lost everything that was ours. We lost our identity that simply defines our uniqueness from others. We are victims of theft every day that made us feel inferior. Consciousness grows and definitely Filipinos will realize how superior our country is. The Philippines will still be interested to

foreignness but at the same time will create a barrier. We will create a stronger and better society by losing nonnative cultivation but still respecting them. We will have stronger forces: land, air, water and to other universe. The Philippines will live for herself but will value others despite what was done to her. She will be like a flower that when open, blooms brighter shades of color but will close gently as to protect itself from the conquering darkness; and with that flower it will grow and breed. Imagine a utopia, finite enough, dedicated to every Filipinos existing or not.

Positively, there might be a possibility that electromagnetic cars that could fly are already invented. Gadgets with high technology and more advanced than now can also be of existence, such as hologram calls on cellphones, virtual hugs, wireless and portable technology and many more. Less traffic and a cleaner atmosphere (because sources we use are now organic and solarpowered). There will be no more poor homeless, starving and begging. Filipinos can enjoy the privilege of being and learning in school of their choice, and they will enjoy their choice of career. They can pursue their dreams without difficulty. This kind of future is possible if our government will cooperate with the locals. Everyone will lose the idea of corruption. The government will address and resolve the issues of the country effectively with the aid of everyone, then no Filipino will ever have to suffer ever again.