Santillan, Mary Lorraine E.

BSA2I/MWF/4:00-5:00

Philippines, My Love!

Are you proud being a Filipino? Were you still proud being a Filipino even your country
is not that develop? Or problems of the country are just everywhere and seems
unsolved? Not far from our knowledge that our country is facing different problems:
extra-judicial killings, corruptions, territorial disputes, terrorism, heavy traffic in the
streets of the Metro, diseases outbreak, natural and man-made calamities, and the
unresolved poverty. Hearing these problems, I ask myself, is this the Philippines that we
love, we treasure and adore? But I remember that I am a Filipino, more than anyone
else, we Filipinos must be the one who knows that these problems are just one eight of
what truly Philippines is.

Every time I was asked what things Philippines known for? Yes, maybe problems but
one thing that I am sure that Filipinos have is the values. Filipino values have been
present to the lives of Filipinos wherever they are even in other countries. We, Filipinos
respect our elders so much, love and value our family, accept and respect others
despite differences and possess exemplar work ethics. Our values are not only for
those who we are close with but also for our foreign visitors. We, Filipinos are naturally
hospitable; we welcome our visitors with respect and care. My favourite value of
Filipinos is we are the best fan in the world. We give our support to those who represent
our country in the any competition. We are cheering together, we are fighting together
and we win together.

Philippines is naturally beautiful, paradise can be the exact description. Philippines has
something to offer in terms of natural wonders. In more than 7,000 islands, all of these
have their own natural tourist spots to be proud of. We have beautiful islands and
beaches more amazing than Maldives and Hawaii. We have virgin forests and
mountains to be compared to Amazon. Also, Philippines is historically rich. We are able
to preserve many historical places that we have which also serve as country’s tourist
destinations.

Why I am saying all of these? Simply I want you to remember that our country is more
than those problems headlined the news in television and radios and written in bold in
newsletters. Our country still deserves all the love and care from its people because it is
not her mistake that all these problems are happening. It is us, her people who made
these problems. If there are something that we cannot be proud of, it is not our
motherland, it is our shortcomings, our selfishness. My hopes are still high, the fire is
still burning and I believe, my country, our country will soon rise. Think about it
everyone, our country done something for us, you, what have you done for your
country?