On Patriotism

I don’t usually talk about “love for the country” I find the topic hypocritical and “O.A” (over acting- a vernacular term we Cebuanos say when one is being mushy, sensitive and over reacts). Patriotism is a sensitive topic for me. I cringe when people starts talking about it. Back in high school we were told to compose an essay about it. I never got the perfect score, at least I got a passing one. I find it ridiculous when people rally on the streets for what they believe in, for heaven’s sake, you people put that man on his seat and you rallied against him years after. Where is your loyalty? Does EDSA I, EDSA II ring a bell? And why are celebrities running for candidacy?

Last night, my husband and I talked about patriotism again. We also talked about it 2 nights ago when I started reading Marlene Aguilar’s (Freddy's sister) coffee table book “Warriors Of Heaven”. We were in the National Bookstore, a place I always go when I need to clear my mind. I love reading book titles. I have the habit of going to bookstores since I was a child to cheer myself up. I love seeing nice things. Colored papers, pens, notebooks, books, stationeries etc. As I was browsing on the Philippine Literature section, I told Ernelle that I was looking for Marlene Aguilar’s new book. I must’ve looked on the wrong section or maybe the book is not distributed here in Cebu yet, because I didn’t find it. Sensing that my husband is getting bored with this usual activity of mine, I told him why I was looking for the book.
“I need to read books from people who are my opposite, they help me open my mind and see what’s in theirs.” Fuck grammar. I continued, “I need Marlene Aguilar’s book to help me develop a love for this country.”
“I hate people who hates their country and who are very much influenced by the west.” Ernel said. I love this man because he argue things with me.
“No, I don’t hate Philippines, I just don’t have the love for it.” I replied. “It’s the system I hate not the country, and the people who are given the power to rule disgusts me because of their corruption. We are not like the Koreans who are patriots, when each gave their savings to save their country.” I broke the seriousness of the conversation by saying “This is so eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewww, like, I hate talking about this.”
“The Philippines is wonderful.” He said. That is why I love him, because he say few things but very striking.

Last night, we talked about it after the topic shifted from a haunted house our Korean neighbors live in, to patriotism again. He had encouraged me to read my brother-in-law’s blog which featured an essay of a Korean student who came in this country for education.
MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
by: Jae Youn Kim
click here to read all about it.

"You are so anti-Philippines" he imposed. We argued again.
"I am not anti and I don not hate the country. There's difference between hate and just not loving it. Why do you keep imposing that? I am not one of those who dream of leaving the country to find greener pasture on foreign lands and change their citizenship."
"I don't know. I do not remember things."
"I need inspiration." This is where Freddy and Marlene comes in. I didn't realize that the song "Anak" by Freddy Aguilar was about the Filipino people and not the literal "anak". I used to think, is Meagan a bad daughter?

Let's not forget that our national hero is a writer. I'm inspired.