What Now?Another Apathetic Shrug?

Another year, Another State of the Nation Address.

Usually, i do not look forward to it because classes are suspended on the day of the Address. Why? because it's a Monday. And we really don't get to benefit the holiday. That day is a non-school day for Knollers.

Considering that our current president has given more SONA's than any other president in our republic and how many checks were made on that list of hers, it is but a reality to say that the Philippines has been shrunk to one of the bleakest scenes in Sweeney Todd. Yes, as a citizen, it is embarrassing, if not outrageous to still have hope for the country.

How far behind are we compared to the world?
The reason we are still affected by the oil price hikes? Unlike some countries, we are not modern enough to adapt to electric cars or utilize hydro,geo or solar energy. Or probably, we have just become so accustomed to polluted air that we began to fear the withrawal symptoms from smoke and sulfur if we clean the air.
Our education has drastically been reprogrammed to become a privilege to citizens of higher class. Why? Your everyday Filipino would rather work in a call center and answer mindless questions about somebody else's bill. Or in worse-case scenarios, they resolve to entertainment that does not require a highschool degree, heck it doesn't even need clothes.

But then again, if hope is futile, then what is the point of staying here?

For reasons that maybe, just maybe, beyond the absurd rise of oil prices, threatening famine, ridiculous population growth, and the general atmosphere of corruption emanating from almost-if not all 7,100 islands, maybe there's something more to that.

A culture that has been sruggling to keep itself alive despite our version of diaspora.
A rich archipelago that is inhabited by a number of endangered wildlife members.
An elder passing down the intricate art of "paghahabi".
A family with values that are distinctly ours.
Or more importantly, a developing country that needs nurturing and understanding for it to have a chance to reach its fullest potential.

Now, a SONA is hardly the answer for all the problems we have, but it is start. A glimpse at what we're headed and how we can help. See, our main problem is everybody has an opinion of his/her own. But the beauty in a democracy is that despite the variations in beliefs, a whole community would settle for the one that would be for the general good. I think that is something we are yet to master.
So on Monday, maybe i would listen(or read the internet version at the very least) to the speech of our leader not because my well-preserved professor who-has-single-handedly-defeated-Xerxes-in-the-decorate-your-booty-competition would most probably attach my head on the school gates if i don't, but because i want to be part of that small change. Our present leader nay not be appealing to everyone, but we must realize that we cannot pull the rope on opposing sides. What we can do is be part of that team that tugs upward, a citizen that knows how to lead and follow.

The State of the Nation Address will be on Monday, June 28. Aside from being aired on national television, anyone may have access of summaries, reviews or videos thru the internet or their local broadsheet.