"I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a country run like heaven by the Americans", the second President of our Republic is famously quoted.
Indeed, these present days, further up (or down) the lineage of that prestigious and noble Office, some might convincingly argue this country indeed is being run like hell by us Filipinos.
Was President Quezon being cynical about the budding Republic with which he so diligently served our struggling and anxious nation as our first head of State? Was our second President, after Aguinaldo, being bitter about our chances at actual Independence?
Should we be careful what we wish for? Should we dare not believe again in our hopes of Country?
My brothers and sisters of the Promise, Manuel L. Quezon is one of this Republic's guiding lights. His star is one that shines bright, but only when we care to look at ourselves in the right light.
To do the memory of the man Justice, allow me to finish his quote, "...because however bad a Filipino government might be, we can always change it."
He knew the learning curve would be steep. He knew the world during his time was consumed by war and our nation was in the thick of it. He knew the way toward maturity for our young lion of a Country was one fraught with much danger and pitfalls, internal as well as external.
But he also knew, Independence was a risk we should always be willing to take.
We are always better served by bravery rather than timidity when it concerns Liberty and Country.
Because however badly we may be going at any time, were we single-hearted enough as he was to dare to believe we can as a free and sovereign people change things around for the better, we can.
We have a lot of heroes, if only we should want to seek them.
Indeed, these present days, further up (or down) the lineage of that prestigious and noble Office, some might convincingly argue this country indeed is being run like hell by us Filipinos.
Was President Quezon being cynical about the budding Republic with which he so diligently served our struggling and anxious nation as our first head of State? Was our second President, after Aguinaldo, being bitter about our chances at actual Independence?
Should we be careful what we wish for? Should we dare not believe again in our hopes of Country?
My brothers and sisters of the Promise, Manuel L. Quezon is one of this Republic's guiding lights. His star is one that shines bright, but only when we care to look at ourselves in the right light.
To do the memory of the man Justice, allow me to finish his quote, "...because however bad a Filipino government might be, we can always change it."
He knew the learning curve would be steep. He knew the world during his time was consumed by war and our nation was in the thick of it. He knew the way toward maturity for our young lion of a Country was one fraught with much danger and pitfalls, internal as well as external.
But he also knew, Independence was a risk we should always be willing to take.
We are always better served by bravery rather than timidity when it concerns Liberty and Country.
Because however badly we may be going at any time, were we single-hearted enough as he was to dare to believe we can as a free and sovereign people change things around for the better, we can.
We have a lot of heroes, if only we should want to seek them.
There is an entire constellation of them up in the skies above this nation's soul - if only we care to find it. And at nights, if you must know, when our Republic is at rest - it is the forbearant, quicksilver light of their living memory that watches over our way towards every golden sunrise.
Personally, I admire President Quezon for the compassion he showed to the suffering humanity of the elder sons and daughters of Israel, our brother and sister Jews, who during WWII, at one of the darkest times of their nation's life, this President gave free sanctuary among us in our lands.
I would, if I had the clout, likewise provide free sanctuary to the suffering humanity of the people of Syria not because of anything else but because they are suffering and they are human not unlike you or I - just like our second President.
Let me remind us that War is a slavery, and is a master we ought not serve.
We shall never achieve the fullness of the promise our actual Independence is meant to bring for this nation with a spirit divided, dark and confused. Let us carry on with the peace process - unto completion.
May we be blessed with a meaningful Independence Day.
Happy birthday to our citizenship, my fellow Filipinos, mabuhay!
---<--@
President Quezon
lost his battle against tuberculosis
away from our home away from Home
but what he never lost was - who he was -
and in my remembrance - still is -
Personally, I admire President Quezon for the compassion he showed to the suffering humanity of the elder sons and daughters of Israel, our brother and sister Jews, who during WWII, at one of the darkest times of their nation's life, this President gave free sanctuary among us in our lands.
I would, if I had the clout, likewise provide free sanctuary to the suffering humanity of the people of Syria not because of anything else but because they are suffering and they are human not unlike you or I - just like our second President.
Let me remind us that War is a slavery, and is a master we ought not serve.
We shall never achieve the fullness of the promise our actual Independence is meant to bring for this nation with a spirit divided, dark and confused. Let us carry on with the peace process - unto completion.
May we be blessed with a meaningful Independence Day.
Happy birthday to our citizenship, my fellow Filipinos, mabuhay!
---<--@
President Quezon
lost his battle against tuberculosis
away from our home away from Home
but what he never lost was - who he was -
and in my remembrance - still is -
a leader to his people,
and a friend to his friends.
