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Friday, August 26, 2005
Roperos: Our ‘Pinoy’ pride
By Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics Also
PERHAPS, it is a sign of our collective guilt, a disturbing awareness that in our daily lives we have never given much for our country and people, have not shown much respect, endearment and affection for the land of our birth.
And so, whatever accomplishment we know or gather about any of us, whether here or abroad, we glory on and try to get everyone to express pride in it.
Thus, in recent years, media appears to have made it a matter of editorial practice to glorify personal accomplishments and triumphs of the Filipino.
A young Fil-Am girl made to it to the finals American Idol. A boxer of Cebuano origin has become a national hero for winning a match in the United States. All these we gloried on.
And we tell ourselves we are a great people--talented, brilliant, and excellent in many areas of endeavor--if we just put our mind and determination to it.
For isn't it true that most of our professionals, from doctors and nurses to engineers, whether civil, mechanical and marine, are being imported by other nations to work in their hospitals, factories, mines, etc.?
The problem is that there are few anational leaders who are fulfilling the expectations of our people, especially the youth. Our national leaders are not generally living to their roles as models of the national society. In many instances, they are snagged in webs of temptations, pushing them to corruption.
But, of course, there are many good people among us. Possessed of high moral values, they sort of consecrate their hearts and minds to what they believe would be enriching and beneficial not only to their lives but also to many others.
Max Soliven's column in the Philippine Star yesterday talked about three soldiers who each received the military Medal of Valor, the highest honor our armed forces award.
But he also talked about the award having been given to those that did not deserve the honor. As a result, the glory of the award is diminished. This is what I mean about leader not being able to live up to their roles as models.
But yes, once in a while, our established institutions extend significant recognition to members of our society who genuinely did something worthy of such honor.
In the past couple of days, for instance, we read in the local dailies the story of a man who selflessly worked through the decades not only to give work to many employable men and women, but also extended assistance to those in need.
He started with a small investment in business then grew. He put up manufacturing firms and business organizations that have helped developed our human resource. Many that passed through his firms are now even working in other countries.
Today, the University of San Jose-Recoletos will confer upon Norberto Quisumbing Jr. the degree of doctor in humanities, honoris causa. With all the things he has accomplished in the years he lived in Cebu, the honor is well deserved.
It is unfortunate, though, that there are few good men like him among us.
As a retired civil servant, my father once said: “people there are millions around the globe, but good people, really and truly good people, like unblemished diamond, you can count only with your fingers.”
(August 26, 2005 issue)
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