This is a quote in one of my favorite articles which is Jose Rizal's essay "El Amor Patrio (For Love of Country)." This is a piece that's widely taught in schools but many seem to overlook the message woven between his beautiful words on how the love of country, once marked inside of you, will never leave. And how love of country will also push you to do what you can to improve its conditions especially when we are experiencing all these social maladies (RIZAL PUN, PLEASE APPRECIATE).

After all, as Rizal then followed after saying that first quote that love has always been the "extreme force" behind the most sublime actions and that the love of country has lead to many heroic deeds.


Nearly two centuries later, the love of country is needed more than ever.

It's apparent with the events this 2020 just how much we need to rally our rights especially when it's challenged by those who challenge the law and think they can get away with it. Twice to thrice as much as the people who think they can get away from the law are the million who are suffering because of unjust enforcement.

I will ask you, in a country that has declared its independence over a hundred years ago, has it really been free?

Nagdudusa na ang Inang Bayan

We all have individual freedom and that is limited to not stepping on other people's rights. And as a "Free country" with a Constitution that has enshrined the rights we have, why are our rights suddenly at risk? Why is this supreme law also being challenged?

It seems asking for assurance in providing a country with basic needs such as healthcare and education is suddenly too muck to ask. It's as if speaking out on the shortcomings of those we voted to power in the first place has become our faults rather than theirs who break their promises. It's as if protocols and guidelines crafted especially in managing this time of the virus crisis have not even had the masses in mind.

And yet, priorities are made instead on other things rather than providing efficient assistance to the millions who are affected by this pandemic. As this pandemic continues to constrain all activity, why is this government also suddenly defending how it is also constraining our freedom?

Constraining in a "I will limit your freedom of speech, actions, etc" type of way, by the way. The lockdown of course restricts our actions but it is needed if we need to contain this virus.

What do you do if the power-hungry, the incapable, and the unemphatic are either ones who guard people like hawks to find ways in imposing authority or are ones who could barely even care how much the country has been suffering?

What happened to the leaders we need to look up to and learn on how to love this country by always thinking of the common good and letting fairness happen for everyone? Why is it suddenly a game where we're all pitted against each other as the powerful swiftly builds more walls instead of bridges?

Love recognizes not only beauty and the good but also staying through the ugly and bad--and finding ways to address it especially if it drags everyone down. In many scenarios, people leave partners who are abusive, toxic, selfish and it is wise to do so. But with our country, all these struggles she is facing, is it wise to leave? Is it wise to stay quiet and allow what our forefathers fought for evaporate forever?

We need the love of country because it fuels the desire for its improvement. Love isn't always blind and should NEVER be especially when you love a country, you will never allow greed to deprive its citizens from their freedom. Because when that happens, freedom will only remain only a mere mist of an idea than the independence our forefathers died for.

Hahanapin at ipaglalaban natin ang tunay na kalayaan