Carmel

Yesterday, just in any other talk he has conducted, Kuya Mari asked the question: "Kung ang lahat ng Pilipino ba ay tulad mo, gaganda ba ang bansa?" And just as in any instance he has asked this question, I could also think of reasons why I could say YES, but I could also think of reason why I could say NO.

Why, you might ask?

I could say yes simply because I have a vision of a better Philippines. I believe that this country has far too much potential and I would like to harness these potentials so that we can make this country better. Truly, if Filipinos thought this way, I'm sure that we will be able to rise.

But in accepting the fact that the Philippines will be a great country if all Filipinos were like me, I believe that it entails a certain posture. I have asked myself so many times, am I a good role model for Filipinos to follow?

Posing this question, I could enumerate a lot of reasons why I am not the best model. I am a flawed and broken person, and in humbly accepting the fact that I am flawed, I believe that there are things about me that Filipinos should not even try replicating. I am sure that my weaknesses will not be good to follow. And I know in myself that I should start changing if I want change.

Which is the good thing about my situation -- It turns the negative into a positive. I am broken, but I could rise and be a stronger person. I am flawed but I can work on being the perfect child that God always wanted me to be. I can change and will be the change I want to see in this country.

Hence, if you ask me now, kung ang lahat ng Pilipino ba ay tulad mo, gaganda ba ang bansa? I wouldn't say yes -- but I wouldn't say no either. I would say, not yet. I will be. :)

Lord, let me be the change I want to see
To do with strength and wisdom
All that needs to be done
And become the hope that I can be
Set me free from my fears and hesitations
Grant me the courage and humility
Fill me with spirit to face the challenge
And start the change I long to see.
Even if I’m not the light
I can be the spark
In faith, service and communion
Let us start the change we want to see
The change that begins with me.