Still Hoping for a Better Philippines

There’s no denying that I’m Filipino. And honestly, it breaks my heart to see what’s happening in my country, the greed for money that has taken over those in power. I understand that many people can never seem to be content with what they already have; they always want more.

Most of them are intelligent, even capable of doing great things, yet they choose to use their minds for the wrong reasons. Somewhere along the way, they’ve forgotten their true duty to the nation—the very reason the people elected them, the promises they made, and the oath they once swore to serve.

Sometimes, I remember the old saying, “The youth is the hope of the nation.” But looking at the twelve long-time senators, only a few of them seem truly honest and impartial. Meanwhile, among the twelve new ones, they still appear clean and untainted, beginners with good intentions. I can only hope they don’t follow the same path as the older ones who lost their way.

And then there are those in lower positions, like the congressmen who handle the national budget. That’s often where corruption begins. Projects are pushed forward without the proper approval from the mayors or governors, without open discussion or agreement among the majority. These projects should be planned and reviewed carefully, especially if they truly aim to serve the people in their communities.

All of this makes me think about how deeply politics touches our everyday lives, whether we realize it or not. It affects the prices we pay, the jobs we have, the schools our children go to, and even the hope we carry for the future. Sometimes, I feel powerless watching it all unfold, knowing that no matter how loud ordinary people speak, their voices are often drowned out by those who hold the money and influence. But still, I choose to believe that change can start with awareness with people who care enough to see, to question, and to speak up. Maybe that’s why I write to let my thoughts breathe, and to remind myself that silence is also a choice.