ANIETE, JENNY ROSE T.

RR22
NSTP101

The March to Progress in the Philippines

After watching the documentary story, I really felt sad and I was hurt. Sad, because there was this
indigenous tribe who wanted to be heard, but constantly being unheard; and hurt because I really can’t
understand why it is happening in our country. In fact, as I am watching the movie, I can’t help but be teary-
eyed. I can’t help to also put myself in the lives of those indigenous people. They just wanted to protect
their rights as an indigenous people, but it seems that even the government misinterpreted what they are
aiming.
The first national issue that I observed as I watched the documentary is the political dynasty. This
issue is not new to us, even though we go to any corner of our country. I think the main cause of this issue
is the great desire of a certain family to lead a particular place, not being mindful if they go beyond the limit
wherein their self-interest is already involved. Their greed and desire would eventually turn to corruption
– another issue. Those in position are using their power to oppressed those who’s in below. Of course, the
one that would suffer were those who are poor. For instance, was the scene in the documentary, wherein
some indigenous people said that they couldn’t do anything because they were scared. Scared because they
will be threatened if they didn’t follow what those politicians told them to do.
One more issue is the trampled human rights. There was a scene in the documentary that Former
President Aquino said that “while it is a law, I am obligated to implement it” and he was referring to APECO
law. Those statement strikes me since Indigenous People’s Right Act of 1997 is also a law, which he tends
to disregard through implementing the APECO law. Of course, the effect of this would be to those
indigenous people. Aside from their rights that will be trampled, they will also lose their natural resources
which happens to be their livelihood also. Even their simple living, wherein they become happy in
improving the land and sea will be also put into nothing.
If someday comes that I would be given the chance to talk to the President of Republic of the
Philippines, I would recommend to prioritize the rights and needs of Filipino citizens. Let the government
hear the sentiments of Filipino. Let the government weigh what is the best not only in the country, but also
in its citizens. Let the Filipinos become a part of the plan. Because at the end of the day, there will be no
Philippines if there are no Filipinos. Indigenous people are very important, since they are one of the reasons
why Philippines is recognized. Yes, it isn’t that bad to aspire to have better country, however it is also very
important to check if such certain improvements would impact those who’s in below.

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 After I watched the documentary, I realized that Former President Aquino was not that competent
enough to rule our country, because for me being a leader, one must put herself or himself in the lives of
their followers. Leaders must have his or her commitment to the people in order to understand what the
people were saying. They should put their feet in the shoes of the people, so that they would be able to feel
what the people feels. Back then, I see the Former President Aquino as ideal leader, but after I watched the
documentary everything changed. I also realized that as a Filipino citizen, we play a huge part in improving
our country and making sure that our country is in the rights hands, because we are the one choosing our
leader; we are the one giving our trust to leaders who do we thought that would give us the right benefits
and improvements that we truly desire.