Today we celebrate our independence day. We commemorate our hard-earned independence from slavery and a three centuries of Spanish rule. We remember how we broke off from foreign monarchy and instill our own democracy. We remember our heroes and martyrs and we hope to the fullest that things get better for our mother land. But what does independence and freedom would mean now to a person living in the present century?
State U taught me that you should express yourself no matter what. No holds barred. Information is power. Dagdagan, dagdagan, wag bawasan. We take it to the streets, in front of buildings, graduation ceremonies, assemblies, etc. We put pressure to the administration and make the public aware that something is going on. But not everyone is from State U and come to think of it, UP is still and always will be a controlled environment. And in the real world, when you voice out something dreadful, people take offense and condemn you for it--no matter how true your statements are. How would you, as a mere individual, influence other people and instill change? In short, how do you take action? A friend of mine told me before to man up and take the first step. I replied and added, "--which is always the hardest step to take."
A Rizal would have a strategy--make the public aware of the lies that are being told. He would have a plan in mind and sooner or later, a Bonifacio will stand up and disturb the peace. We all have these two heroes within us but it's not easy because as they say: your freedom ends when you are stepping into another's.
