SPOTLIGHT!
I was doing my stuff at that moment, at the front of my ragged desktop computer, with the lights on, chips at my left side, with a nocturnal ambiance, sounds coming from the TV at the bedroom and from the CPU’s fan (silent yet distinguishable.) Roaming around facebook’s site, as usual, I spotted notes written by my favorite college teacher, Sir Jomar Cañega. It then captured my attention, for I am really looking for his creative works, and presto, they are now solid, I mean, at hand. 
I was really happy, and I started reading his writings.
The first one: In Quest of Our National Soul (Official Entry to the 2005Philippine Ombudsman Literary Contest)By: Jomar I. Cañega
Once in every race comes the misfortune of losing its culture, identity and even its national soul, and the Philippines is no exemption. The reign of colonial rule over the archipelago for several centuries had changed and transformed this country into a strange nation tagged as the only “westernized country in the east” to be exact. But what is ironic is that we seem to have adopted a culture that is neither western nor Asian, which explains why most Filipinos had been constantly asking the question – who I am?
Many scholars and intellectual luminaries have argued that the above mentioned question can best be answered in terms of culture which brings us to another question – what is culture?
Our beliefs in life, how we look at things, our daily practices and habits, our attitude towards others and towards nature – all these makes up our culture. A country is judge through its people. Therefore, if we are a slave to a culture of corruption, dishonesty, disunity, indolence and mediocrity then, that will be our identity as a people and as a race.
Over a century ago, some prominent figures in history both here and abroad have insulted and created a mockery of our race. The Spaniards accused us of being indolent. The great historian Larrousse made mention in his book that “the Filipinos is an effeminate race without virility which permitted without struggle the uprooting of its nationality, usages, customs, beliefs and even its language.” Even Deodato Arrelano, the very first Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, bluntly admitted to the schrumann Commision that the Filipinos did not understand what freedom is all about. Former Spanish Governor General Carlos Maria De La Tore said that the country should not be administered under the tenets of liberalism because according to him, “the Filipinos did not know nor cared to know what political liberties meant and only need economic, administrative, and educational reforms to keep the Philippines the most happiest colony in the world.”
But Dr. Jose P. Rizal had rectified those negative impressions about our people and said that such opinions were just products of mere ignorance of our country’s history. He cited that fifty years prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the Philippines were already enjoying a state of abundance and prosperity both in political and economic terms. Trades with China, Borneo, Indonesia, Japan and the rest of Arabia already existed. Historical records from ancient Egypt pointed the Philippines as the official supplier of gold to the kingdom of the world famous King Solomon. So even then, we already have the reputation of being world class.
Since time immemorial, our national soul already existed in legends, traditions and history of our ancestors. They lived up with the norms of high ethical standards both in leadership and nationalism. Lapu-Lapu and Raja Soliman were testimonies of this when they risked their own lives in the front line of resistance against foreign domination.
Indeed, colonization painted an ugly face for all of us when our conquerors imposed their very own traditions against us and molded us after their culture of individualism, idleness, abuse of authority and corruption which explains why our beloved mother land is now stocked up and chained in poverty. A lot of internal conflicts now exist all over the country making it hard for us to move forward and cope up with the demands of modern day living. Unity still remains an elusive quest amongst Filipinos. Even the quality of public service has been tainted with incompetence and mediocrity making it difficult for our people to enjoy the kind of services that they deserve from the government.
Now it appears that courage, integrity and pride of our ancestors had only existed in legends. Their heroic deeds were put in oblivion in the hearts and minds of the new generation. When in the past a public office is a public thrust and decency and integrity were the main requirements for getting into public office, now it only takes guns, goons and gold and you are the boss.
Now we are facing an insurmountable challenge of retrieving our lost national spirit and we would surely have a hard time picking up the pieces of our broken race. But we will make it. And we shall make it! We can all dare to be different from the rest by changing our very own system of living. Although we cannot all be reformers of our people, we are endowed with the will power to change ourselves. So let us make use of our precious time for it is the only blessing given to mankind in equal measure. Henceforth we must prepare today for tomorrow will be our duty to serve our country.
In changing the whole structure of society, we must first change ourselves – the way we look at things, our attitudes and habits. We need a little bit of moral cleansing so all the toxic within us that has been contaminating our entire system can be cured at once!
But doing so is not an easy task. We cannot turn our backs or reverse the tides of mediocrity and corruption overnight. It takes a persistent and enduring heart to go on with the fight. Like the courage of the bull that still charges forward in spite of the sting of the blade being pricked into him by the matador. We must not lose the guts and spirit of trying and trying again. Let us not allow our failures and frustrations to discourage us and give up the fight.
Let us start cultivating the culture of courage, discipline, perseverance, love of work and country and self respect. Let us evade from the regular lethargic way of thinking of the majority. After all, only the evolution of another culture can subdue another culture. The battle has just begun and we are up for a tough fight for survival. There is no turning back for as what Gen. Douglas Mc Arthur once said, “Only those who are not afraid to die fit to live.” A man who will not defend his rights doesn’t deserve to be free.
We have to get rid of the “social cancer” that is widespread in our society as pointed out by Dr. Jose P. Rizal in “Noli Me Tangere.” It is a reality that we have to go through if we really want to reform this country. We are left with only two options – first is to act and second is not to act.” There should be no room for excuses this time. According to James Lowell, “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide. And in the strife between truth and falsehood, for good or evil, it is only the brave man that chooses while the coward stands aside.
Our record in the international arena will speak for our race. The world’s leading personalities in finance are mostly Filipinos. The world’s best engineers, doctors, economist, care givers and performing artists among others are mostly Filipinos. We have proven our worth in the world of humanity. The intelligence and creativity of a Filipino played a crucial role in the conquering of the moon when a Filipino engineer designed the “moon buggy” used by the Apollo 11. We have comets in the outer space named after a brilliant student from Manila Science High School. Above all, we have our own planet in the solar system named after Joset Talamera Biyo, the world’s greatest teacher in the field of Science and Technology.
Our journey to be on top of the world will become much easier to achieve if we can only recover our long lost national soul that will bind us as a race. And once we regain it, our national soul will become greater and will be enriched by our deeds that will be glorious and of great benefit to humanity!
It was amazing: the thoughts, the concept, the idea, almost everything. Really remarkable. He mentions these things always, during our discussions and no doubt, all of us are carefully listening to his unending words. Yes, it may seem endless, why? If you could witness him as he talks, probably, you can know. And that’s really awesome. Very wise and intelligent. This one’s kinda resembling Og Mandino’s. Nice one
And the other one that gave me the spine-tickling sensation: Ayaw Magpatulog ng Magdamag Ni: Jomar I. Cañega (bilang tugon sa Proklamasyon 1017 noong Pebrero 24, 2006)
Laksa – laksang kaluluwang namimilipit at tumatangis
sa kubling paraiso sa ilalim ng langit
Perlas ng Silangan, lunduyan ng kalayaan
animo’y ligaw na barko sa malawak na karagatan.Pilipinas! Lupang Hinirang! Bayang Magiliw!
ang nararapat sa iyo’y pagsintang walang maliw
ngunit ang tanging handog ng mga anak mong suwail
ay paglililo, pagtampalasan at pagtataksil!Republika ng mga Buwaya, Parlamento ng mga Sawa!
Presidenteng Bwitre, mga Deputadong Butete!
Korporasyon ng mga Ilitista, mga linta sa Byurukrasya!
Mga anay na salot sa haligi ng demokrasya!Paano ka mahihimbing sa magdamag ng hilahil
kung sikmura’y kumakalam at mga mata’y nakapiring?
Nakagapos ang mga bisig, nakabusal ang bibig
sa paraisong tila isinumpa sa ilalim ng langit!Ayaw patulugin ng magdamag
ang mga matang dilat na dilat,
mga aninong balisa na ibig tumakbo at tumakas
sa mundong mapanlinlang at tigib ng dahas.Paano ka mahihimbing kung puspos ng pangamba
at walang katiyakan kung saan ka pupunta?
Animo’y isang ibon, ibig kang ikulong sa hawla
sikilin ang laya at bulagin ang mga mata.May kapanatagan ba kung sa kinikilalang estado
buhay ka pa’t humuhinga pilit nang iniimbalsamo?
Inaalisan ng pandama, isipan at puso
upang ‘di maipagsanggalang ang pagkasiphayo.Kanino magsusumamo ang mga kaluluwang napapaso
upang kagyat na maibsan ang hilahil ng puso?
Paano kung sa bawat hakbang tungo sa pagbabago
ay kamay na bakal ang sagot ng estado?Ano ngayon ang gagawin ng mga ligaw na anino?
ang mga damdaming nagpupuyos at sikmurang kumukulo?
Paano ang mga labing ibig mangusap at isipang ayaw sumuko?
Sino ang magbabangon sa dangal ng niyurakang paraiso?Sa kweba….. sa yungib na madilim……..
doon nakatagpo ng kasuyo at ligaya ang mga aninong itim
walang pangamba, takot at pag-aalala
doon ibig simulan ang dakilang pakikibaka.Kung tanging sa muog ng kadiliman ng gabi
doon lang payapa at ligtas ang mga puta at pulubi
kung doon lang yumayaman at lumalakas ang mga api
sino pa ang maghahangad na lumipas ang gabi?Patuloy silang tatakbo, tatakas at magkukubli
habang tangan sa kanilang mga palad ang bawat sandali
at habang kinakandili ng dilim ang masang nagpupumiglas at pumapalag
hindi kailanman magpapatulog ang buong magdamag!Habang walang liwanag na natatanaw sa malayong balintataw
hangga’t patuloy na nalalambungan ang langit ng madilim na ulap
at patuloy na namumugad sa puso ng aba ang mga bagabag
hindi kailanman magpapatulog ang buong magdamag!
This one’s another nice post, it gave me goosebumps. My deepest sympathy was drawned in a very good manner. Undeniably, Sir Jomar is one of the bests. His sense of Nationalism’s really amazing. If you could see, the deeper his words become, the deeper the meaning it portrays. He’s really good, very good. I salute him. There is also an enigmatic aura that covers his personality that would really make you want to dig more about him. Sir you’re really one of a kind.
I will definitely wait for your rise, for the slap and spit you’re going to give Glenn Anthony May. God Bless you Sir! More powers.
This post is dedicated to Mr. Jomar I. Cañega
(uber corny much, its too much) It’s like, a person-trying-to-be cool, but ultimately very uncool indeed, and often even extremely embarrassing. Just like what Avril Lavigne’s complicated says, ‘trying to be cool, you look like a fool to me’. Very unpatriotic.
