They say that a glass of red wine a day is good for you. They also say that a cup of green tea has essential benefits. While I only get to occasionally enjoy both, I do relish the satisfaction I get when I indulge. There are different kinds of comfort for everyone and such comfort is solely attached to one’s well-being in the end. On the larger scale of things, when we start to look at one’s security, we also look at this collectively, wherein the same good result is advantageous for everyone. Security is a benefit – whether we look at this individually or through a multitude and bottom line is, everybody wants it.
We are still in the middle of a pandemic and more so, the culture of security has truly grown. We have spoken many times about national security, food security, health security and even environmental security – all of which affects everybody’s well being. The good part about a crisis is that people have begun their search for a better way of life through awareness and follow through and certainly, preparation is very empowering.
Security in one’s own family unit may be very basic, yet it affects the majority. The family, as we ought to know by now, is the most vulnerable unit in society and has often been the target of discrimination and neglect, particularly if one belongs to a unit that is hard up and struggling. This is why I love the whole theory behind empowerment. As parents, we empower our children to become better versions of themselves. In a community, we empower sectors to strengthen their groups and collaborate efforts in order to be resilient even when the rainy days strike.
I cannot commend President Duterte enough for his whole-of-nation approach and as a citizen of this country, I am extremely proud to see more people joining forces instead of being part of a baseless opposition as, after all, who in their right minds would not want the entire nation to be part of nation building? I guess this question is left for another column if we must in the end try to make others come to their senses. The Filipinos are waking up. At most this is my opinion but it takes real patriots such as General Antonio Parlade to shake things up and show the people the gains among families who have finally received the basic services promised to them by government.
Awareness of our needs and truly embracing this culture of security is what people want. It is also what people need. We have seen an influx of supporters for a uniteam around the nation and it speaks volumes – it mostly speaks of an awakening to facts, to needs and to continuity that is simply hard to define but obviously is being reflected through a new kind of people power who believe that the Philippines deserves better. Who doesn’t want better anyway right? And when I say better, I mean in every sense of the word, better for all.
These past two years have been hard for everyone. I can’t emphasize how hard it has been for all yet, in everything, people have managed to persevere as their way of life continues to evolve while finding alternative solutions to cope in the middle of a crisis. It can be difficult to face our daily challenges; however, when we start looking into the collective, the kind that is good for all, it changes our perspective. It helps us to unite and want the same things. When at one point people wanted change, to date, and it seems people want continuity and as I mentioned, although this is hard to define, it is manifesting through the voice of the people and certainly, there is joy in working towards this.
Therefore, as I slowly work towards my personal comfort, something that I have been more often than not unable to do, just like a glass of red wine and a cup of green tea, I among others can’t wait for the benefits.