A nation of bystanders and hecklers

You know why our country is not moving forward as fast as it should? It is due to the fact that the great majority of Filipinos – and we number some 82 million —- are mere bystanders in the effort to build or rebuild our society. While President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a few others are out there, slugging it out to resurrect our battered economy and inspire public confidence, many – including her underlings and subordinates – remain as mere bystanders. Yes, they just wait and see, and seem so indifferent in taking a more active tack in nation-building.

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There is something even worse than the penchant of many people to be mere bystanders. They heckle, too. They seem to take pride in making the nation’s players lose. In other words, there is no teamwork. Everyone seems to be busy trying to put the other down. This is called "crab mentality".

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Look at the endless appeals from President Gloria and other concerned people for a political moratorium among the politicians. So far, almost all of these appeals have fallen on deaf ears. The senators, the congressmen, the political leaders —- all of them seem to be more interested in fighting among themselves, instead of uniting to lay the stones that will build our nation.

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Let me give you some background information about David Murphy, MD, the American doctor who regularly communicates with me through the Internet and who has taken a deep interest on the Philippines. Believe it or not, Dr. Murphy seems even more knowledgeable about Philippine history than most Filipinos.

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According to Dr. Murphy himself, as he related it in his latest letter, he practiced medicine in the United States for about 25 years until a medical condition made it difficult for him to do his best. Reluctantly, he retired from a profession that was his primary source of satisfaction and self-esteem, as well as a very good income.

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"As usual, if we are open to possibilities, God had other and better plans for me. Shortly before I retired I came to the Philippines as part of a volunteer team repairing cleft lips (harelip) and cleft palates. After falling in love with Filipinos in general on that and a subsequent mission, I returned to the Philippines to investigate business possibilities and fell in love with one particular Filipina," he recounted. Since they got married, the Murphys have spent most of their time in the Philippines.

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Dr. Murphy said that his primary basis of authority for commenting on any subject, especially history, is primarily just having been around long enough to have a little direct experience of it. "Medicine is a great way to learn about people and develop perspective. My forced retirement has given me time to do things I never took time to do before, such as read, reflect on the things I’ve learned and harass hard-working journalists with endless e-mails," he added. "Perhaps I feel an affinity for you because you have also faced some challenges to your health. And, I think, we have both become more aware of our spiritual nature because of them."

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Carolyn T. Regalado of Moacno St., Loyola Grand Villas, Quezon City, wrote to share the joy she got when she visited Corregidor, her first trip to that historic place. It was truly a wonderful place where memories can remain forever, she said. She and her family visited Corregidor on the last day of year 2001 —- and all of them want to go back there.

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The Regalado family had chosen Corregidor because of its proximity to Manila and its historical value to their two grade school kids. "After we came home, we were recharged, relaxed, happy and thankful for the happy adventure."

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To go to Corregidor, one merely has to board MV Sun Cruiser at the CCP Complex in Manila. Strangely, when the Regalados went there, there were more foreigners than Filipinos who visited the tourist spot. The ferry ride took only an hour —- and a feature of the trip is a VHS relating Corregidor’s part in World War II, plus a narrative of General Douglas McArthur’s life and his famous "I shall return!"

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At the dock where the visitors boarded tranvia buses, the tourists saw historical landmarks, ruins, cannons and memorials.  Worth mentioning are  The Pacific War Memorial which stands on the highest part of Corregidor; the ruins of Cine Corregidor; the remains of the BOQ and the Post HQ, and the museum which houses war artifacts.   From Corregidor, one has a breath-taking view of Manila Bay, the South China Sea and bird’s eye-view of the island atop the Lighthouse. 

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Battery Hearn, Geary and Crockett are must-sees because these were where the action took place during the war, as well as Malinta Tunnel where a vividly staged Light and Sound show awaits the visitors.  The show is a reenactment of WW II’s dramatic events and something even the most jaded tourist would appreciate!  The Malinta Tunnel also served as the seat of the Philippine government under President Manuel L. Quezon.  A new landmark in Corregidor is the Filipino Heroes Memorial consisting of murals depicting famous heroes who battled through the centuries from the Battle of Mactan (1521) to People Power 1 at EDSA (1986).

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"Not only did Corregidor unravel my patriotic spirit but it also touched my soul for the peace and serenity it exuded!  What a contrast from what people must have felt during the war!  It is a place where families and friends can bond by just going through the tour or by hiking through its many tunnels or by just enjoying the sunset and the sunrise!  It is a place where you can commune with God and thank Him for His awesome creation!  You can stroll on the beach, dip in the pool or have a picnic on lush greens," Regalado said. 

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Regalado has more to say about Corregidor. "It is like taking a tour of Oahu island in Hawaii. I can almost hear Pearly Shells and Tiny Bubbles in the background but this is certainly better because of its historical significance to us!  For those of you who have racked your brains for a place near Manila where you can bring your foreign friends and Balikbayan relatives, Corregidor is the place!  Or if YOU just want to get away and want to rest your tired mind and body – just hie off to this island of valor, peace and international understanding for a day and get your sanity back!"

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I am one-hundred percent sure that the Regalado who sent me this letter about Corregidor is a travel agent. That alone would have merited throwing the writeup into the garbage can. However, I feigned ignorance about the deception and wrote about what she wrote regarding Corregidor. Why? Merely to give a boost to our tourist industry and to show appreciation for her hard work. Yes, nice try —- but never, never do it again.

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THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:

Kind heart is the garden.
Kind thoughts are the roots.
Kind words are the flowers.
Kind deeds are the fruits.
May you enjoy one beautiful garden of life.

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We are all driving in our own street called life,
and in every intersection, God is there.
Don’t forget to stop, look and listen to His signal.

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My e-mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]