What will happen to our country’s future?

During the Martial Law years, Filipinos had been strictly controlled to follow the government policies at that time. Our freedom was indeed taken away from us. As a result, we were repressed in expressing ourselves. The media was very much controlled on what it was to publish or show on television and the big screen. The people could not protest in the streets in form of a rally. If ever they did, a swat team would pick them up and send them to jail. Kidnappings, rapes or any massacres were kept under the rugs – it was total news black out. Businesses and establishments were closed after midnight and no one dared to break the rule. Citizens had a curfew to follow. Underground groups were very wary of their moves and had difficulty penetrating through society.

I was two years old then and the babies during that time were called "martial law babies." I was one of those babies who was traumatized by the events that took place during that time – since my father was one of those who was picked up by the military at 2 in the morning and brought to Camp Bonifacio to prison. He was a political prisoner for six months. Although my mother told me that we were going to visit papa in his new office – somehow the visiting arrangements made me wonder if it was truly his office since we saw many men in fatigue uniforms guarding the grounds.

My generation grew to see how the Filipinos were able to win back that freedom taken away by the Marcos Regime–from the martial law era to the time Ninoy Aquino risked his life to come back from the United States of America in 1983. This act of bravery finally bore fruit when our Filipino brothers and sisters became united to courageously topple off the Marcos government during the 1986 People Power Revolution. This was an event that clearly showed the spirit of the Pinoys, that in times of confusion, hardships–darkness–we come together and peacefully try to resolve the problems we face.

But much has changed since those days, the freedom we have gained during those times has been abused. For instance, even if we are free to express ourselves in the streets, we tend to overdo the protests. Sometimes, we are already just rallying to gain attention (power play kuno!) even if the fight is actually meaningless – walang katuturan! Some rallies even bring in a group of people who have no idea what they are fighting for – in other words, hinakot sila. Some go to the extent of paying street people to join the bandwagon so that there will be more people seen on television. What’s sad is the spokesmen or spokeswomen of those strikes are quite shallow. They keep on shouting and cursing, they even go to the extent of showing too much rebellion or uncontrollable behavior. As a result, the bystander becomes disillusioned by their pleas.

The media, on the other hand, cannot control themselves. They do not know where to draw the line of deciding what can only be reported and what must not be reported. Tuloy! they become possible instruments or the possible medium of the bad guys – as the criminals may easily get information or leads from them. The press has indeed a right to inform the public of incidents or accidents but they should also know when news items must be kept in confidence until a crime has already been resolved.

What about our youth? I think they are given too much freedom today. Can you imagine 12-to 14 year-old kids are already allowed to enter bars and clubs? What do they do there? What else? They probably smoke and drink heaven knows they can even be sniffing drugs that are passed around in those joints. What is worse is that they usually want to drive around town without license and go home at dawn! Sure, you can say this is the choice of the parents. If the parents allow them to go out then, we have no business meddling in with the decisions they make for their children. But what role does our society play in saving and protecting the youth? In the USA, teenagers are strictly prohibited to enter bars and drink alcoholic beverages. You need to show an ID that you are 21 years old – old enough to protect (supposedly) and control yourself. But even the adults are forced to go home because at 2 am, establishments close and send their customers home. In the Philippines, I really am not clear if there is such a law. And if ever there is – why is it not followed?

I always thought there was a regulation that teenagers under 16 years of age are not allowed to drive. If they are 16 years old, they must have an adult companion with them all the time. But why is it that they always seem to get away with the law? I have never experienced cops taking in minors who break the law.

During the weekends, try going into the clubs, discos, videoke places, billiard rooms, etc. and you will easily spot minors drinking and smoking. What does the bar owner have to say – ‘mum’s the word for them! As long as they make money, they’re fine. I do not think they have ever thought of an ethical stand on this issue. Isn’t any government agency responsible for checking out the so-called "night life"? Talk about the Rights of the Child! Is this the job of the DSWD?

What about those establishments that operate during the daytime and accommodate high school students (sometimes even grade schoolers) and even serve them alcoholic beverages during class hours? Aren’t they supposed to turn these students away? What about the popular "computer gaming centers" that are purposely established beside schools to tempt the school boys and girls to play computer games during school days – as a result, these children prioritize play to their studies. Whatever happened to the government ruling that they must follow a specific distance away from the school? Why is this rule not being followed? Why are the barangay officials allowing them and not closing them up – if they are breaking the law?

And what about movie theaters that allow minors to watch a rated movie? You think the management of the movie houses really abide by the MTRCB’s ruling on this? Naturally, the movie houses want to make money – and if they are making more money from the young, why will they restrict them? They will, in fact, exploit them more without you checking on them. And talking about movies, what about the shows kids watch on TV. Who is controlling or monitoring the shows? I have not heard of any agency or group who ever extends an act of protest against "malicious" shows except for a time when a local station’s noontime show hosts’ attention was called.

The terrifying scenario of it all – is the public display of corruption and crime that the youth is exposed to on a daily basis. You can even ask a five-year old child about a current event issue and surely has an answer that will surprise you! Yes, nowadays, they start young! They can even tell you who they will vote for in the coming Year 2004 elections.

My point is – Is this the type of society we want our children to be in? Don’t we as adults have the responsibility to do something about these issues? Who will lead us or show us the way? Who will initiate this move? Of course, each one of us can begin in our own homes – but for society or even for our country as a whole, who should be responsible for it?

My question then is – were we really ready for that freedom we won in 1986? I think we should always remember the true meaning of freedom as a guide for all – that freedom is the act of doing whatever anyone pleases to do so, but with it, comes responsibility!

I am not advocating another martial law but what I think our country needs right now is to go back to the basic measures and controls of society. We need to relearn the basic laws and learn how to follow them. We need to regain our respect for authority and in doing so, we need to be shown the way by our leaders!