Nationalism-secret to progress

                           Right now, I’m sharing my thoughts to  my great Filipino fellows. But, have you ever thought, is being a Filipino really worth being one? Why is the Philippines still considered a third world country? What is it that we don’t have that progressive countries have?

 We have lived all our lives here in the Philippines doing some Filipino stuff. Various people, dating back to this country’s previous colonizers’ rule, have become formidable enough to be hailed heroes for the sake of the country. These heroes fought for the country which led to this freedom we are experiencing right now. Nationalism, indeed, was deeply rooted in their hearts. In addition, nationalism is also what I think that can be the secret key to open the door for the country’s progress. Along with this key, must be our belief that in all aspects, we are great, thus having the pride to make us leave the illusion that we are inferior to others.

                Sadly, this character we should attain is becoming a diminishing thought today. Yet, with my strong efforts, I would like to put it back to life. It is true that dying for the country is a form of nationalism but, it doesn’t always end there. All of us can actually become heroes. For me, doing simple things, even small, can be big enough to be called as an act of heroism for the country. You can do it by the mere act of supporting what is truly Filipino. Love the country by preserving its mesmerizing treasures; become vigilant followers of the government; love our language; support the greatest music we have called the OPM; and support all Filipino products. To share my feelings, I was delighted with the birth of Philippine branded mobile phones, giving me the thought that we can actually compete with other country’s brands by simply buying what is ours. Why would you think we should buy over-rated foreign products if doing such means we are helping their country instead of ours?

Another thought I would want to share is about our love for our language. In fact, I was inspired by a short story I have read. The story goes like this. There was an old Filipino requesting for his visa to be approved by an American employee. The man, unknown to speaking in English, brought his granddaughter as his interpreter. The employee asked for the reason why he wants to go to the United States. The old man spoke in Filipino that he just wants to see his children living there at least before he dies. However, his request was still rejected for the reason that he knows nothing in speaking English. The old man became furious and forced her granddaughter to say how the hell did he get here in the Philippines if he knows nothing in speaking Filipino?

With these thoughts that I’ve mentioned, I hope by now you know already what it is that we must learn in order for this country to move forward. With nationalism, pride and most of all love for the Philippines, it’s possible.  Now, if you already love the Philippines, there is still a bigger question that entails, "Does the Philippines love you?" Think of it.

Who Am I?

My name is Ryu Raphael with my last name falling under the family of Calderons. I am on my 17^th year of age and am currently a freshman student who discovers the wonders of multimedia arts in Lyceum of the Philippines University.

I was born on November 20, 1994 as the youngest of my 3 siblings. I live in Bacoor, Cavite which is located somewhere near MetroManila. I was named after a Japanese video game character from StreetFighter which adds up uniqueness to my identity. I enjoy drawing, playing the guitar, listening to nice music, hanging out and jamming with friends, 9gagging, playing computer games and a lot more fun things to do. I am also a music-lover who listens to alternative rock music, usually opm, and to songs that contain something worth listening to. The Beatles and Eraserheads influenced me a lot. I admire people with great originality in expressing arts whether through music or through visual arts. I also do my best to support local works of art as well as general products because I believe that we should all become proud Filipinos.

My cronies often say that if they were to see me in a room during a free time, then I would be that one who is quiet and meek, the one who is busy sketching some anime works, or that one laughing with my hilarious and worth-having friends. To express freely, I believe I am someone who can be your good friend as I always try to be humble, approachable, friendly, and thoughtful although I admit that usually at first, I am not speaking that much. Anyway, I am sure that as I become get used to a friend’s company, I can express my thoughts with him/her more.

 To share briefly, I took up Multimedia arts because I want to enter the world of modern arts as I became exposed to digital arts, photography, film or audio editing, and even to the Japanese art called Anime which all truly fascinated me. I have realized that anime is so influential that it can create a person's dream in life for him or her to pursue. Likewise, I am one of those persons. The magic of anime has brought hope to every aspiring youth to dream and believe that he or she can someday make his or her own.

My Top 10 Animes

 10. High School of the Dead

Highschool of the Dead is set in the present day, beginning as the world is struck by a deadly pandemic that turns humans into zombies, euphemistically referred to by the main characters as "Them".
The story follows a group of high school students, the high school's nurse, and a young girl as they fight their way to safety through the deadly streets of Japan during a worldwide catastrophic event known as the "Outbreak". As the cast tries to survive the zombie apocalypse, they must also face the additional threats of societal collapse, in the form of dangerous fellow survivors, and the possible decay of their own moral codes.

9. Mayoi Neko Overrun!

A heart warming love comedy. Tsuzuki Takumi is a high school boy, who is running a confectionery "Stray Cats" with his sister-in-law Otome. Otome is an extremely good-natured person and is always running around to help people. One day she brings home a runaway girl Kiriya Nozomi. Nozomi's closed mind gradually opens to them as she works as a pâtissière at Stray Cats.

Exploring Mt. Samat

September 4, 2011 is the day for our tour in Bataan as well as Pampanga and Subic. We had this tour for our History subject wherein every class that has this said subject must join the trip.

As early as 3:30 in the morning, I have to wake up and prepare for the trip as we're supposed to meet in the campus at 5:30. I rode a bus for about 45 minutes and arrived at the meeting place on time.
About 6:15 in the morning, we departed from Intramuros and headed to our first destination: San Guillermo Church in Pampanga. We travelled for more or less 2 hours. Actually, I have been to that place before because we also had an educational tour there in my third year of high school. As we have arrived, I again saw the a famous church sunken into the ground leaving half of the structure accessible. The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales was so drastic that all the provinces near it is filled with meters of ashes.

San Guillermo Church

After visiting the Church, we then headed to our next destination which is another Church named Abucay Church after having a bus stop in Double Happiness. However, I did not take pictures because I did not find it extraordinary and interesting. To our next stop, is I guess the best place we visited in this trip- "Ang Dambana ng Kagitingan" or "The Shrine of Valour" located in the peak of  Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan. The Shrine of Valour is a memorial shrine complex built to honor and remember the gallantry of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II. The memorial shrine complex was started in 1966 with the laying of the cornerstone on April 14, 1966 by President Marcos.

The Shrine of Valor

A Chance for the Rise of the Philippines?

Is there a chance for our country to rise someday? This query has always mingled in my mind as a student and as a Filipino. Why do I ask myself this question? Being a proud Filipino could be a good answer. However another question comes to me and it is, Is being a Filipino really something to be proud of? I am truly eager to find out.

Filipinos were so passionate that we did our best to free ourselves from the tyranny of the Spanish government and even the Japanese invasion. We faced endless battles just to achieve the freedom we are fighting for. Somehow, all these hardships gave a very free and democratic place to live in. We are now living in a country where anyone can express himself freely which gave us a very simple yet happy life. On the bad side, this freedom was abused. You can see mountains of garbage piled up in obviously improper places.