I am writing this article right where the final battle between the last surge of Spanish colonizers in the Philippines and Philippine Revolutionary soldiers have met in a fierce battle that led to our identity, our citizenry... being called as Filipinos. It happened here more than 115 years ago where our flag was first hurled and brandished in a dramatic moment... in victory.
Yet we have to ask these questions to ourselves: Have we done something to get back the the people who fought to have our identity and to have something we call as our motherland? Do we prioritize our countrymen wherever you see them and have a chance to give out a helping hand? Do you get involved with the locals and see what their culture is and finding out a way on how to improve this? Do we open our eyes to see the whole picture of the needs of the people, or do we close our eyes and only see what we want to see?
Being a traveler, a mountaineer and a mapping advocate, one can contribute to our nation building by making sure that every travel destinations in the country would only lead to one thing: Improvement of our countrymen. Assuring that taking care of the environment have a vital and direct impact to the locals and educating them of the importance on taking care of their surroundings as these are direct gifts from their Creator to which they are obliged to take care of as they mutually benefit directly from it. Prioritizing products of the locals to which the direct benefit goes to the people. Discourage establishments and services to which the greater benefit goes to the few rich people, the capitalists, and instead patronize those that are from cooperatives to where the benefit is equally distributed to those who work for it. Allowing your fellow travelers rediscover the paths you took so that the reflections and the realizations made will be passed on to each and everyone... like a virus... to promote more on nationalism and identity discovery.
Then, nationalism is not just a group of four elements: three stars and a sun, white triangle, a band of blue and red. It is more than that. It is about starting from your self the change by being aware of your surroundings and the people to where you are. Knowing the situation and providing awareness that would help them realize and discover what lacks in their situation and give solutions that would benefit all and not hiding within the confines of a person's selfish motives and interests. Though not all may follow you, some may even ridicule you. Do not make this a drawback as it is said that we are not meant to please all. Yet if the basics of the principle of being a problem or a solution, and we chose the latter; we make ourselves the "flag" of our country.
A victorious independence to all the Filipinos around the globe!
Ervin Malicdem - Schadow1 Expeditions
June 11, 2013
Alapan, Imus, Cavite, Philippines
Check out the historical sites in Cavite, here:
Onwards to 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence
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