A different New Year’s resolution

This year, I will not focus on losing weight, nor will I put more time playing my violin, nor read a plethora of books. The year 2015 will be different. I have decided – and I am absolutely certain about it – that my new year’s resolution is simply to become a smarter Filipino.

Don’t get me wrong, I actually need to lose some weight, I need to put more hours training with my violin, and I need to widen my knowledge of books. When I say that my new year’s resolution is to be a smarter Filipino, what I mean is that all my actions from today henceforth will reflect this decision of mine, especially in the most simplest of things like throwing trash in their proper place, returning excess change, or even the simple act of admitting any mistake.

Collectively speaking, one can call it the act of choosing to do what is right most especially when it redounds to the benefit of my fellow Filipino citizens.

I know that I might be a tad bit too idealistic because honestly speaking, what effect will one pearl of a right act have in a sea of wrongs? 

You’re probably thinking that even if I do start acting this way, I’ll end up being discouraged once again. Don’t worry, I am not blind. I will be the first to admit that there are so many wrong things happening in the Philippines right now, so many bad practices that need to stop and so many abhorring situations that one would rather believe to be nonexistent. However, I am a firm believer that the prevalence of all the foolishness and wrongs running amuck in this country should never preclude me from choosing to do right – from choosing to be smart for this nation.

Recent events have attuned us to play the blame game. “Let’s blame it on the politicians, on the PDAF scam, the widespread corruption in the government!” This is a very common sentiment among all Filipinos alike. However, we should remember that as we call for accountability we should simultaneously move forward and start being smart for the welfare of this country. 

Yes, the responsibility of yesterday’s failure may fall squarely on the mismanagement of the government, but the chance of a better tomorrow certainly does not lie on their hands alone. The task of uplifting this nation is a gargantuan endeavor requiring nothing less than the orchestrated effort of every person declared a Filipino.

The Philippines has been abused far too long by the opportunists, the selfish, and the greedy. It’s high time we learn from the failures of the past and use it to improve this nation. One simply needs to look around to see that we have enough homeless families, enough uneducated children, and enough jobless citizens. This country definitely does not need to see more.

We need not fret, though. Hope is not lost. It is a known fact that the current Philippine economy is growing at unprecedented rates, thus coining the buzzphrase, the “tiger economy of Asia” in this era. Many economic experts see a bright future for investments coming in, thereby opening the chance of better opportunities for our countrymen. Things are really looking good now and we shouldn’t take it for granted.  If anything, 2015 just might be our escape from the spell of poverty that has long plagued the Filipino people. And this is exactly why I have decided to be a smarter this new year. 

Smart enough to know that I shouldn’t throw trash along the road – it might just spell the difference between a clogged drainage and a floodless street.

I shouldn’t keep the excess change I received, rather, I would return it; it might just teach me fairness when dealing with bigger amounts of money. And I shouldn’t even dare attempt to justify or cover-up any mistake I have done to my family, my officemates, my friends or strangers. If the mistake is mine, I’d rather own up to it and learn from it, so that I won’t repeat it again and save whatever dignity I have left.

This year, I’ll just be really smart in everything I do, understanding that my desire for a better Philippines far outweighs any desire I’ll ever have for myself. And if there are more pearls out there, I’d like you to join me in conquering and changing the tide of this sea in the year 2015. – Rappler.com

 Carla Cucueco is a proud Filipino citizen who wishes to see a better Philippines in her lifetime. 

Happy woman image and flag image via Shutterstock