“This love may be expressed by choosing the leader that is best for the country, one that is not tainted by corruption, a leader whose moral integrity and competence is beyond reproach.”
To those who experienced, either by direct participation or vicariously by watching television, listening to the radio, or reading newspapers, the four glorious days of the EDSA People Power Revolt will forever be associated with images of unarmed multitude facing tanks and armed soldiers loyal to the dictator, strangers sharing food and other provisions to others and even to soldiers loyal to the regime.
What drove ordinary people to go to EDSA and put their lives and limbs at risk? The answer is simple – It was no other than a burning desire to change the state of affairs, seen as abusive and repressive by ousting a dictator and his rapacious regime. It was love of country that drove unarmed civilians to EDSA and put themselves in harm’s way, mindful of the possible dangers that they would be facing. The military coup may have provided the spark that ignited an avalanche of support for the rebels but the overriding factor that decisively tilted the tide in favor of the plotters and the people was love of country.
Dr. Jose Rizal who made the ultimate sacrifice for his beloved people once said, “I want to show to those who deprive people the right to love of country, that when we know how to sacrifice ourselves for our duties and convictions, death does not matter if one dies for those one loves – for his country and for others dear to him.” Surely, it is one’s willingness to give up things that are important to him for the sake of the beloved that we can measure the extent of that love. How far are we willing to give up something precious to us for the sake of our family, for others or even for our country?
Another Filipino patriot, Ninoy Aquino, expressed this love by saying “We must transcend our petty selves, forget our hurts and bitterness, cast aside thoughts of revenge, and let sanity, reason, and above all, love of country prevail during our gravest hour.”
To Ninoy, our individual agenda must take a backseat to his love of country, even during the most trying times. Over the centuries and even most recently, especially during the pandemic, many havesacrificed themselves for the sake of their fellow human beings and ultimately for the country. The frontliners reported for work, despite the dangers, in order to save others, and bring the country back to its feet.
My favorite author Antoine De Saint-Exupery wrote: “Only he can understand what a farm is, what a country is, who shall have sacrificed part of himself to his farm or country, fought to save it, struggled to make it beautiful. Only then will the love of farm or country fill his heart.”
To De Saint-Exupery, through sacrifice and struggle can one fully appreciate the value of one’s beloved native land. Who come to mind are the millions of Overseas Filipino Workers who endure homesickness and prolonged separation from their loved ones, working day and night as employees of foreigners, if only to support their families back home, and prop up the economy through their remittances.
For me love of country does not always entail sacrifice, it may mean doing the best for the country and its people even if this may involve something that is merely trivial or inconsequential. It may be encapsulated in the Latin phrase – “Age quod Agis” or “Do what you are supposed to do.” In whatever capacity one may find oneself in, love of country is doing the best one can be. As a leader or as an ordinary citizen, this love means doing the best one can possibly do in whatever capacity. For instance, with the elections just around the corner, this love may be expressed by choosing the leader that is best for the country, one that is not tainted by corruption, a leader whose moral integrity and competence is beyond reproach.
As a voter, this love entails not allowing one’s choice swayed by money or bribe, but is rooted in the best judgment and informed choice. All these because her primary consideration is attaining the best possible state and condition for her beloved. After all, there can be no love to speak of if we contribute to the destruction and degradation of the country we live in. Corruption, utter disregard of and disrespect of institutions, criminality, and tolerating these practices as well as being indifferent to the plight of the people, acting selfishly without regard to the common interest, are always antithetical to this love.
Love of country may be seen from different perspectives, and regarded differently by different people. But one common thread that runs through the different expressions of this love is to give the highest regard for its interest and a sincere desire to obtain the very best for the beloved – our only country where we were born, where we live, and where we will die.
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