Life Here & There 
No Comments My Humble Apologies
When I was in the Philippines, I decided to mind my own business and go back and forth to school or work or whatever my day called for. My focus was on myself and what I wanted to get done. All those who were protesting this or that topic just annoyed me as they slowed down traffic o nakakagulo lang and my ability to get to where I needed to be.
A few years later and a lot of wisdom gained, I must submit my humble apologies to all who I thought were annoying because they blocked my path to doing the things I wanted to do in my life. I was focused on myself and I was very selfish. What triggered the change? Living in the USA is what triggered the change.
Here in the USA, in the land of the free and the brave, the majority of the citizens sit on their rear and expect someone else to confront a problem made by politicians or other large interest group. With so much provided to them to excesses, many Americans have become lazy expecting government to fix this or that and all will be fine. They surrendered their rights by not remaining engaged in their civic duty of keeping the government accountable. Instead, the focus is on what was on TV, who dated who, some sports issue, or any of a large number of topics not related to what their elected officials were doing to sell them out.
From reading the history books of the first 150 years of the USA and watching what is going on now, I have developed a great appreciation for those in the Philippines who voice their opinion and take an active role in their government. They are determined to keep their freedoms and let wisdom reign in the government and not corruption and bad ideas take hold. Yes, it is an uphill struggle but the Philippine people are still in the struggle.
Maybe the USA citizens will learn from the (other- o ibang) Philippine people and wake up to take control of a nation that once was great and return it back to its position of being a beacon of hope not an object of scorn in discussions across the oceans. It will take the people to stand up and fight for what is right just as my countrymen and women did when I thought they were just a bother.
So to my countrymen and women who continue to peacefully press for their freedoms, I am sorry. I am sorry I was so selfish. I promise to do better both there and here. I promise to make a difference.
Thank you o Maraming Salamat po,
Anah
Photo credits from freedomfromdebt.wordpress.com
