We can never attain absolute freedom if we're still a slave through the colonial mentality and feeling inferior to other races. The same thing is that we can't be free when our government is terrorizing and putting down its people.
That may be our very own story today. The state of our current societal freedom. A prisoner of faith and hope.
Our valiant heroes fought not just to free us from foreign invasion and rule, but to instill in us a resilience that transcends generations. The pain and struggle they endured have left an indelible mark on our being, a legacy passed down in the blood flowing from our veins by our Forefathers.
Today, Philippine society may have evolved through the years, but it's crucial that the new generations of young Filipinos remain connected to our history. It's our past that shapes our present and guides our future, not just the modern living of comfort and convenience.
Today's society, however, is still struggling to defend our freedom to express ourselves freely. That freedom of expression is being threatened and taken away.
We can be the most law-abiding citizens, but that doesn't mean we will remain silent and blind to what's happening in the government; how it's being run affects the way we live. We follow the rules and regulations, but that doesn't mean we will also track and have a higher tolerance for wrongdoings, abuse of power, and rampant human rights violations.
Philippine society today is at risk of losing its voice—the voice of the masses—the powerless and the most vulnerable.
People critical of the government are being silenced through harassment and false accusations; the worst is detention. If this can happen to political personalities and mass media, it can happen to almost anyone with the most vital voice of dissent or opposition.
I believe we have a good democracy, but what happens when the government has massive power for manipulation, tripping, intimidation, and control. Slowly, public dissent is being killed. No more voice to speak up, or you may be served a sentence without due process of law.
Democracy is what this country survived and thrived for over a century; otherwise, we may still be a colony and in control of a mighty nation. But, with our excellent resistance to put an end to foreign rule, we became a winner -- we regained our independence and freedom.
People can now discern right and wrong, what is real or just manipulation, and express their thoughts with higher judgment and discrimination.
If the government attempts to silence us, let us remember our power. The power vested in our leaders comes from the people, and we can take it away from them. We must hold the line, knowing that the government's control is always temporary.
When we know how to hold the line, we can protect ourselves and uphold our freedom—the freedom that we Filipinos deserve.
© 2020 Del Cusay