I’m tired of writing lengthy articles just to speak my mind. So I prepared a set of questions for you to ponder on. All of these questions revolve around (well as the title says) the never-ending debate on nationalism: (I would be glad for you to add more questions should you think of any, just feel free to do so)
Are you nationalistic? Just how nationalistic are you? Are you no longer nationalistic:
If you speak English more often than Filipino?
If you wear and adorn yourself with foreign-made clothes and accessories?
If you gobble up fast foods or Western/foreign foods than local ones?
If you are more enthusiastic with foreign acts than local ones?
If you listen more to foreign music than local ones?
If you know foreign dance moves more than local dances?
If you read foreign books and periodicals than local ones?
If you watch more foreign movies and programs than local ones?
If you no longer sing the National Anthem or the Panatang Makabayan? (Rel: If you know Star-Spangled Banner more than Lupang Hinirang, or Bayang Magiliw, or however you call it?)
If you have forgotten our National Symbols? (Rel: If you know the US Constitution better than our own?)
If you refuse to exercise your right of suffrage?
If you decide to leave the Philippines to find work elsewhere?
If you decide to migrate to other countries and become a dual citizen?
If you refuse to return to the Philippines and become TNT?
If you enroll in a caregiving or nursing course and leave the country after graduating? (Rel: If you enroll in other courses and decide to leave as well?)
If you’re a teacher/nurse/doctor/professional and decide to work abroad?
If you rally against the government? (Rel: If you already grew cynical of the government?)
If you have basically acquired American or Western values – both positive and negative?
If you have basically acquired Filipino values – both positive and negative?
If you feel unsafe in here?
If you feel Philippines is not your home? (Rel: If you deny your Filipino citizenship when someone asks you of your nationality?)
If you favor federalism or parliamentary form of government? (Rel: If you favor Charter Change, and policies like opening the Philippines up for foreign investments and ownership?)
If you are dissatisfied with the way the government works?
If you refuse to exercise your freedoms as an individual?
Again, feel free to post more questions, and I’ll publish them all. Remember, only questions that start with “If” and must correspond to the clause “Are you no longer nationalistic.” We should all ponder to ask ourselves with these questions and come up with a variety of responses. Remember, not one answer is right.
Remember these words:
“Let a hundred thousand flowers bloom; Let a hundred thousand schools of thought contend” – Chairman Mao Tse-tung
“I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend till death your right to say it” – Voltaire
