Prophetic Book. Is there still hope?

Have you seen the beautiful places in our country? Have you seen the white sand beaches that we are proud of? Have you seen our extravagant malls? Have you experienced to pamper yourselves in sophisticated hotels here in the Philippines? Maybe yes, maybe we are living in a luxurious way of life. But what is the real condition behind this comfortable living?

When we say the Philippines, few words appear in my mind: poverty, corruption, and greed. These three are the most prevalent elements that our country has today. Politically, our country has been filled with corrupt leaders. These are the kind of people that wants to become richer even if they already are. These people use the taxes that we paid for their own benefit. Singapore managed to lower their taxes down to 3% and still kept its booming economy. We, on the other hand have 12% tax on all things that we buy. Is 12% tax enough? I believe so. In fact, 12% would be excessive if only the money that they collected is used properly and honestly.

Leaders should be role models of out country. Can they see the results of their evil acts? Poverty in our country is not decreasing but is increasing rapidly. Economically, the government said that our economy is growing because the peso-dollar exchange rates lowered in favor of us. But the exchange rate has nothing to do with our country’s status. We are still one of the 3^rd world countries and the prices of our basic necessities rose up almost every week.

I can say that all countries have the same crisis regarding the fuel prices. I predicted this crisis would happen a year ago because my teacher told me that for every 100 barrels of fuel that we use, our mother earth only produces 1 barrel of fuel. But the story at our rice production is different. We even import rice to other countries whereas the technology of planting rice cam from us. I think we are the ones who should be exporting rice. What happened to the farming techniques are ancestors provided us? Do we find time to innovate these techniques to make planting easier or more efficient? Or do we just stand on where we are and wait other country’s innovation on our original culture?

I am not saying that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a corrupt president (but I think she is somewhat corrupt too). After years of studying at UP, I learned to be open-minded on what happens around me. But I am begging her to help every Filipino that needs her. I am begging her, to use her power responsibly and honestly.

“For every challenge, comes a solution. And for us to solve the problem, the initiative should not come from somebody… but from EVERYBODY”

-Miguel Monasterial