This day usually starts with the raising of the flag. The Philippine national anthem is played in the background as the country's symbol for independence is raised to its peak. We hold our head high proudly with our right hand over the left side of the chest. It is as if touching our heart and meaning every single word uttered.
The song opens with "Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan" which literally translates to our loving country which is the pearl of the orient. It is with no doubt that the Philippines boasts of many natural and man-made structures. Agriculture-wise, we are rich in soil that allows a multitude of produce to grow. Being honored with the title of being the pearl makes us proud. There is no doubt about that.
What we are really questioning now is our independence. For so long, we have been involved in an international dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea. The islands that are located in this part of the map are contested by both countries. President Rodrigo Duterte has been mum about this issue, except for a few light moments where he comments in jest. A jet ski was his answer to claim this part of our country. We all laughed but the fisherfolks feared for their lives so much.
It is not just an issue of land or sea but on the daily dealings our economy has. We are bound by the debt that we have incurred from different international agencies. For this administration, it has ballooned up to the trillions. My own children and their children will continue to pay for these debts. The incoming administration has hinted to increase taxes and find other sectors that need to pay taxes as well. What's left of the ordinary Filipino is just enough to have three decent meals in a day. We are never truly free.
Even our own identity is being held hostage. We never truly knew who we were prior to colonization. Soon enough we will be told to forget the dark days of this country's democracy. Western influence and other Asian cultures continue to dominate the media. The chains that bind us are the products of our own choices.
Yet for what it's worth, there are really no hard and fast rules on how to address the different issues that hound our independence. For years, we kept going in circles. As new leaders take over and try to fulfill promises, these are never really enough to regain what we have lost --a true democracy.
But when the national anthem is played tomorrow, I shall still pay my respects to the flag. It is a symbol of our ancestor's heroism, despite mixed narratives. The story really isn't about the famous men who are now on our paper bills. It is about the spark of revolution that led us to be on our own. I wonder where that spark is now, or if it still exists.