HERE I STAND 
By GERONIMO L. SY
 
 
  After all, the best things in life lie in the unseen, in the crafting of a grand vision of who we can become grounded on reality. I do know a simple answer: we are living out the Filipino dream. 
   

In reaction to a previous essay, I received an e-mail that says the positive news in the country is being overplayed. The challenge was to name the good things in this "cursed" land of ours. At first blush, it sounded easy to me, having chosen to stay and carve a life here. On second thought, it was difficult. Put that question to a citizen of a developed country and he will quickly point to his job, his house, his savings and his travels. Not to mention the peace of mind, the sense of security and respect, a clean government and a cleaner environment. All these things and more we lack or don’t have in the Philippines, end of argument.

Let me try to tell you why I did not choose to leave despite the odds against us. Every Filipino since the decline of our great nation in modern times must have considered migration. It could have been good to escape martial law, for economic reasons or to pursue a dream that was unrealizable here. I too underwent frustration and depression after graduation. I still feel them from time to time.

The process of being listless and dejected, slowly climbing out of the rut and looking to the sunshine is a very personal experience that many of us can relate to. Without this journey into hope, it is almost impossible to make meaning of the chaos around us. Without this wrestling with the deepest part of ourselves, it would have been many times easier to walk away rather than plod on.

Thus, I will not judge or cannot prejudge anyone who chooses to migrate especially if he is financially hard up. In this light, let us not look down on OFWs as maids or japayukis. Neither should we romanticize them by calling them bagong bayani. They are just who they are, Filipinos trying to survive. Imagine where we will be today if our Malay ancestors were stigmatized against exploring islands miles away from their birthplace. This then is the first reason to stay—if you are not among the defined poor and do not occupy the lowest rung of the food chain. Of course the poorest among us literally have no choice except to be where they are. It is mostly the middle class who leave.

It is a different question for those whose basic needs are not met and decide to go for the North American dream. They look around and say—what is there for us here? Nothing, we might as well leave for our sake and for the future of our children.

I say, look again—we have a community and a country to build. The potential of the teeming millions is untapped. Rather this than a nation with a graying and declining population. Our creativity and passion as a people are just starting to bear fruit. Rather this than a mechanistic although efficient state. Our values and culture are forming into a Pinoy consciousness that extols family and faith. Rather this than an atomized society plagued with suicide and deviants. The imperative is to be all we can be to push our national agenda forward.

We need to realize that this is the only country we have and the only place we can call home; and that our bonds to the land below, the air above, the waters around and the people with us define the very core of our existence. Seen this way, how can we be pessimistic, how can we remain without hope? If others think that the only way is to leave, I say the only way is to stay. If our country is our only option, then for the love of God, let us all pull together and pull hard.

Yes, this is too optimistic. Measured from the eyes of the jaded and the cynical, no effort is worthwhile, no deed is noble. There is no chance for the Filipino. They go about doing their own thing and are lulled into the routine of work and socials. When they reach their sunset years or when they can conveniently spare time and money, they do medical missions and give to charities and wake up to the thought that they want to help after all. This is well and good, 20 years hence. What is crucial is the here and now—what we need to do to keep our heads above water by making sense of the world and do what we can to fight the good fight in fulfilling our lives.

So when you challenge me to name the good things that are happening, I may not be able to give you a concrete reply. After all, the best things in life lie in the unseen, in the crafting of a grand vision of who we can become grounded on reality. I do know a simple answer: we are living out the Filipino dream.