Views on PH independence
On June 12 is the 120th Independence Day celebration. Is the Philippines truly free?
Hindi natin makakamtam ang totoong kaunlaran at kalayaan kung walang pagkakaisa at katahimikan. At kung sa isang milagro ay makamit natin ito, wala rin itong saysay kung araw-araw namang balot sa takot at pangamba ang mga mamamayan.
Hangga’t nagtuturingan ang lahat bilang Kristiyano o Muslim at hindi bilang magkakapatid na Pilipino, hindi malayo ang ating mararating. – DONNIE DAQUILANEA, 20, apprentice engineer
Yes. We’re free from the colonization of the Spaniards 333 years ago. But our country is still not free from corruption, poverty that results to malnutrition, multiple crimes, etc. – APPLE JOY JUANIZA, 20, student, Iloilo Science and Technology University – Dumangas
The Philippines is a free country because we have a democratic kind of government. But deep inside of this country, we Filipinos do not experience true freedom. There is rampant corruption. Crimes and drug-related incidents occur. – KATHLENE KAYE GABUEN, 19, student, Iloilo State College of Fisheries Main Poblacion Campus
I do believe that our country is truly free. We enjoy freedom, prosperity and happiness just like other sovereign nations. We have a stable government and a developing economy. – IAN NOVEROS, 23, seaman, Miag-ao, Iloilo
Subong ginahugtan na ni President Duterte and freedom of speech kag ginahambal ‘ya nga fake news laban ginapangwakal sang media.
Ga amat-amat naman kita balik sa martial law, subong pa nga daan nga gusto mag-federal government. So para sa akon Philippines is not truly free. – SHELLEY CUBLAN, 20, fresh graduate
Yes. We have our own Constitution that guides our country. We are a state. So we are free. – JESSA MAY PADILLA, 19, student, West Visayas State University
Indi ta gihapun free ah. Una, tungod sa Presidente ta kay daw diktador siya.
Sa pamatyagan ko, indi gid imposible nga magdikta na siya martial law kay indi mapaktan daan iya nga paminsaron.
Siya ang tuod nga buang, indi si Miriam. Maka buyâalang siya ka tinaga daw wala siya anay ga isip. San-o pa na siya i-impeach? – name withheld upon request
No. We all know that many properties were destroyed and many lives lost because of war. The Philippines is not truly free because this history will remain in the hearts of Filipinos until the next generation. – KENNETH JOHN MANATO, 23, office clerk, Barangay Camalig, Jaro, Iloilo City
In some aspects we are truly free. We can shout out loud our opinions, feelings, etc. But in some other aspects we feel we are hesitant. – MARK JHUDD JAVIER SINFUEGO, 20, student, Western Institute of Technology
No, we are not free. We are still westernized. Wala naton ginatagaan importansya ang aton nga culture. Mas gina-patrionize pa naton ang iya sang iban nga pungsod. – ISIAH JUNIO, 20, student, West Visayas State University
Yes. Dahil tayo ay nasa democratic country. – CLARK TOLENTINO, 26, overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia
Obviously no. We still depend on other countries and that’s the reason why we can’t get off our tails. We are a poor little ant that keeps on depending on other countries’ money, services, products, and influences. We are too far from being free. – CHARYL CASIPLE, 30, overseas Filipino worker in Singapore
No we are not. We have a long way to go.
The American assistance during the Marawi siege shows we’re still dependent on it.
We also depend on other countries. But this is something not to be ashamed of. we have to admit that we need these big countries to feed and protect us because we can’t stand on our own. We are lack the wherewithal. – ZAIRENN TUBONGBANUA, 20, businessman, San Rafael, Iloilo
(Compiled by March Gernine Aguacito and Mariane Camell Braseliño, interns, West Visayas State University – College of Communication)
