As I write this post past 2 in the morning, I look at my kids and see them slumber peacefully. I still can’t believe God trusted me to raise two kids. Two beautiful, full of gusto and energetic kids. I am forever grateful. As a mother, I’ve been given the role to see them through and make sure I am constantly and consciously guiding them every day. May it be with little things or milestones that become moments worth remembering.
With all that is happening around us, particularly to our country, I often times ask myself “What does the future hold for my kids?” That question always triggers the worry rat in me and mostly negative thoughts cloud my mind.
For us living in the present, today is always not enough. We always have an opinion on how our government runs the country, how overpopulated we are, how painfully traffic it is everywhere, how commuting is definitely not fun in the Philippines, how being a pedestrian here is like playing dodgeball but with a car, how garbage is everywhere, how the poor becomes poorer each day, how time flies and how times have changed. But the truth is, have we done anything to be a catalyst for change or are we just going with the flow?
Personally to initiate change, I vow to give the Philippines two independent and well-rounded citizens who go by the names of Jasmine & Juro. I promise to be the best mother that I can be in order for them to be the best version of themselves. Because I am lucky enough to be their parent who has the time, energy and resources to teach them values and life lessons which I hope they will use as motivations to influence others for the better. Through the valuable life lessons we impart our children, we are creating citizens who are not afraid to go against the norm and tradition. Citizens who are wiser than their predecessors and are proud to use their acquired life skills for the betterment of the nation and not for devious personal goals. If I become successful in raising my kids to be great Filipino citizens, then I know I have contributed something good for the future.
If there’s one thing I can give the Philippines, I would give it a gift of chance. A chance for a brighter future through its young citizens by conducting social welfare and work programs that cover diverse topics that are not primarily taught in school. Hopefully with the help of #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014 , unfortunate or underprivileged (such as orphans or out-of-school) children/youth can learn life skills that can better prepare them for a brighter future. The future THAT solely depends on them. Children who have no/lack guidance when it comes to skills that would help them unleash the potential they need to be successful in whatever endeavor they pursue. More than the financial support, sometimes having an emotional, physical, mental and spiritual support make all the difference. Through the programs, we can help these young individuals by giving them a chance to be the best that they can be.
If we are kind enough to share our blessings to the less fortunate in trying times, kind enough to donate our time and effort in rebuilding a devastated part of our country, then extending a little effort to bring out the best in our children and the children of our country by grooming them to be future leaders, or even just excellent individuals that build a nation is something we, as parents and Filipino citizens can gift our beloved Philippines.
If there’s one thing you can give to the Philippines, what gift would it be?
Answer this question by leaving a comment on this post via DISQUS and you might just win an iPad Air! Yes, if this blog post of mine gets chosen by Globe in their upcoming Project Wonderful for 2014, one commenter of mine gets to win an iPad Air courtesy of Globe. So go join na!
Truly there is nothing more wonderfully rewarding than giving a gift that can change the future or shape a nation.
Abigail Ong says
my hard earned tax
sherry ann gole cruz says
If there’s one thing i could give to the philippines it’s a
compassionate,warmhearted, smart,dignified and a devoted president,who
would lead our country to progress and will rule our country men for a
peaceful and better living and be the role model for the youth to look up too…
ronley says
I think I have to give the gift of change. A change for the better Philippines. Change of the bad system and change of the old habit and culture. I think it can make a big difference for the future.
henley says
If there’s one thing you can give to the Philippines, what gift would it be? – HOPE. that there is hope despite the trials, calamities and scandals our country is facing.
Kuya Jers says
PROGRESSIVE GOVT! So no more kid will grow up without a parent working as ofw #GLOBEProjectWonderful
dinah almodiente says
If there’s one that you can give to the Philippines, that gift would be my time to include our country in my prayers. That’s the best I can give as a single person.
arra carrasco-odeza says
All I want to give to the Philippines is the Gift of COMPASSION because I believe that its the basis of our morality which may leads to a better humanity. Sabi nga ni Bob Marley “One love, one heart, one destiny.” #GLOBEProjectWonderful
corinne says
If there’s one thing I can give the Philippines, I would give it the gift of clean and green environment. Luntiang kapaligiran at ito ay mag sisimula sa aking sarili… Let it be that in my life time and during my watch I have given back and did my share and somehow made a difference for country.
dinah almodiente says
If there is one thing that I can give to the Philippines, it would be a gift of prayer. I always pray that God would bless our land and never forsake us. That’s the best I can do as a single person, aside from being a good taxpayer.
Carole says
I have been a government employee since I graduated. I always dreamed of working for the government. I knew this was my own way of giving back being an ‘Iskolar ng Bayan’. With all the controversies and doubt on our government right now, it would be easier to let go. When people realize that I work for the government, they fall into this trap that even the rank-and-file employees are tainted, they tend to generalize. I choose to stay in the government, standing up for what is right and not simply saying yes to what my boss has to say. A friend once told me, ‘this is not the right time for the good and dedicated people to leave the government.’
Tate says
I will give them my time to equip them with the knowledge of some basic computer skills to make them aware how much the technology can benefit to us
Mamamia78 says
Yes, everybody deserves a chance. That too is my utmost desire for every young Filipino. I have the heart for orphans too, they too deserve to be given a chance to have a family that would accept them. In the recent Yolanda typhoon, a lot of kids were orphaned. I would love to give these orphaned children a gift to be happy again. It would be nice if it will be a full day of adventure and to top it all, a scholarship grant. 🙂
Lois Nicole says
One thing that I wish I can give to the Philippines is a free medium of communication for every Juan. Every Juan wants to be connected in anyway to another Juan. That’s why we have at least one reunion, gathering, occasions, etc every year. Since we also have a trait that we are hardworking, some of us needs to work abroad or out of town, but Juan’s are known for their Close Family Ties, we can never celebrate holidays, birthdays without any transactions to our closest relatives and friends.
Text messages, video calls, telephone calls, etc. We have to admit that we are worried about our friends and families everytime there a new typhoon that’s coming. Juans are always here to lend a hand to their relatives – even strangers whenever it is needed. Juans are really creative, during the times we don’t have any options, we always find that ingenious ways of solving our problems. It would be really helpful if someone would help me grant my advocacy for every Juan. #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014
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Thomas Mercado says
If there was one thing that I could give this country of mine, it would be a great leader/president. S/he would bring the country out of its third world status by maximizing our natural and human resources. S/he would implement the laws properly, adovcate creativity and love for country, be efficient in apending taxes, foster discipline and personal faiths, encourage people to travel the country and learn our rich history, push for better urban/rural/technological infrastructure, protect the rights of women and indigents, value the health of all and put others/public service as first priority. Thanka Jackie, I hope this entry inspires others and leads to Philippine progress (even incremental). 🙂
Virgilio Bautista Jr says
The first time I heard this question from a friend made time for me to think of the gifts that I can give to them. Just like the author said, me too do not have money to help the people in the Philippines. Until I get to the point, I was stopped and saw things slowly moving when I saw someone gave their donuts to the beggars and street children sleeping along the streets. My heart was amazed and my mind started to think of every man. I will honestly say that I am a selfish person and do not know how to give something to someone without condition. But that time and until this day I believe all the Filipino out there have a loving heart and a helping hand to prove that we can act as one. Bad people are not always bad. People change, all are permanent except for change. To God be the glory. He made me realized the three gifts that I should give to the Filipino people without thinking of being a rich person or having full pockets. And those gifts are PRAYERS (for them to remember God all the time), a LOVING HEART (for them to feel that they were not alone) and a HELPING HAND (for them to become strong and build their life for this another chance)
“You dont need to be wealthy in terms of helping. A simple and little thing could help to uplift them”
– Virgilio Bautista Jr
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