The country has yet to fully recover from the embarrassment and humiliation it suffered from the world-famous hostage drama at the park when jueteng, an illegal game, and its masquerades hit the headlines. It is the burning issue of the hour. After retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz dropped his bombshell in a Senate hearing, Sen. Miriam Santiago in a privilege speech added insult to an injury by naming more names involved in the game. Some of them are high ranking government, military and police officials. The feisty senator even mentioned jaw-dropping figures involved in the ancient game.
Whether we admit or not, there is something wrong in the government that needs to be addressed at by no less than the President. If Mr. Aquino is indeed serious with his political campaign mantra that “when there is no corruption there is no poverty”, once he comes home from the United States, the Filipino nation is eager to hear what he has to say about jueteng which by no mistake is a serious trunk of graft and corruption.
In the meantime, let me share a patriotic song I learned in the elementary grades with a hope that it knocks hard at the hardened hearts who once in a while forget to love this country bequeathed to us by our heroes and heroines. They suffered too much for us. Let us remember that we have only ONE country and it is our duty to love her and make it better by being parts of the team to improve it. May all of us share what we can no matter how small and no matter how big.
PHILIPPINES MY PHILIPPINES
I love my own my native land
Philippines my Philippines
To thee I give my heart and hands
Philippines my Philippines
The trees that crown thy mountain grand
The seas that beat upon thy strand
Awake my heart to thy command
Philippines my Philippines
Ye islands of the Eastern sea
Philippines my Philippines
Thy people we shall ever be
Philippines my Philippines
Our fathers lived and died in thee
And soon shall come the day when we
Lie down with them at God's decree
Philippines my Philippines
Yet beneath thy ardent sky
Philippines my Philippines
More numerous sons shall live and die
Philippines my Philippines
In them shall breathe the purpose high
The glorious day to bring more nigh
When all may sing without a sigh
Philippine my Philippines
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