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Sa Kambas ng Lipunan

I attended a values-formation seminar by a government office. You know, my mom keeps telling me that i "don't have values." Well, mom, that's impossible. We just don't have the same "values." But, anyways, let's proceed to the seminar.

The facilitator (Sorry, I can't disclose names) who happens to be a head of a particular bureau in this government office gave a presentation on values-formation specifically targeted to the youth. That's cool, right? Kidding. I just want to share my insights and probably criticize how the "facilitator" tried to develop our values as a youth.

He asked us to watch a clip. Panoorin mo na rin:

Sa Kambas ng Lipunan

And then what? He asked the participants their reactions slash their realizations after watching the clip. Right after the clip. Emphasis please. Right after the clip. After which, he summarized the realizations of the participants and addressed this to the whole group.

"Hapag ng Pag-asa"

Facilitator:

"What's the cause of poverty? The I. He attributes poverty as a result of combined individual selfish actions. He blames the I. No one should be blamed here except for the I."

"He is conditioning the participants to be apathetic. How? He's imposing on the participants the "we're-fortunate-pa-nga-that-we-eat-three-times-a-day-attitude" and let others care for themselves. Okay na nga tayo dito. Dapat hindi na tayo magreklamo. We don't have the right to complain. We're living a better life than theirs."

"There's no call to action but rather a call to be complacent. Appreciate what you have. That's already good. Kung sila nga ay hindi kumakain at ikaw ay tuyo lang ang kinakain, dapat matuwa ka na. At least, you have something to eat. Kahit tuyo pa yan, at least, you're living a better life. "

"Kapag may nakasalubong kang may car, what do you feel? Inggit? You shouldn't be. You should think of others. Bakit ako maiingit sa kanila? Marami nga na hindi kumakain. Why would I want to have a car?"

"With all of that, we need a leader that will do something. We need a leader. A leader with heart. Not just a good leader but a leader with a good heart."

With all those points, I was like, what the hell is this? Is this really a values-formations seminar or just some political propaganda slash conditioning of the status quo? The said facilitator is known to be a supporter of President-elect Aquino. Kaya nung sinabi niya yung last point, Oh My God! That can't be! You're all conditioning our minds! And everyone is agreeing! OH MY!

My points:

You just can't attribute poverty as the sum of all selfish individual actions. Why don't you show and tell us the real cause of poverty? It's easy, very easy. Why can't you tell these participants that poverty is a result of a systematic oppression of a ruling status quo. Why can't you? Ang daming resources ng Pilipinas but we're still poor. Nasaan ang resources? Please tell me. Why can't you tell the participants that Imperialism should be blame? That capitalism is a systemic form of keeping all in poverty poor and making the rich richer. You can't tell me you don't know. Bakit may nagugutom? We are in the Pacific Ocean (where are the fishes), we have forests (where are the animals, the fruits and the vegetables), we have arable lands and we own a vast reserve of natural minerals. Ano? INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS PA RIN BA? OR SYSTEMIC SIYA?

Why would you condition the participants to just be "okay" and leave things the way they are? After watching this clip, what we need is a call to action! ACTION! You'll tell these people to do their job and look for solutions. You'll not tell them to just appreciate what they have and don't complain. Remember, inaction results to the strengthening of the present system slash condition. Or yun naman talaga ang gusto mo? Do you really want people to stay poor? Eating "tuyo" is not my definition of being fortunate specially when you try to contextualize it. Why can other people afford expensive foods? Why can't I? Sa dami ng available na resources, bakit may gutom? Don't tell me they're just too lazy. They're not. There's something wrong. And we should address that. What we have to do is to find alternative solutions. Let's try to change the present system and let these people eat. Let's try to pressure the government and let them address this. There's so much to do than to say "Hey, I'm okay here." INEQUALITY MUST BE ADDRESSED.

And the clip is trying to insert some religious agenda in it. It's fine. It's good. Ang tanong nga lang e. If people are really believing in Jesus Christ, why is there inequality? In a supposedly Christian country, bakit may kahirapan? Bakit may nagugutom? It's weird, right? CHRISTIANITY IS A RELIGION OF EQUALITY. WELL, SUPPOSEDLY.

And with all those points, leadership must be contextualized. With the present problems, you need to contextualize what kind of leader we need. Ano nga ba? Siguro, those who want poverty to be eradicated, those who want to solve these things and those who recognize the "real problems" and willing to change the present system of oppression. Yung kakalaban sa status quo. Yung kakalaban sa Imperyalismo. Yung kakalaban sa Kapitalismo. Those are the qualities na kailangan ay meron ang leader. Inequality must be addressed by this leader. At kilala niyo naman sila, for sure. Hello, Satur. Hello, Liza. Hello, KABATAAN. Hello, National Democrats.

Figure it out, people. I know you're not that stupid. Lalo na yung kasama ko ng values-formation seminar.

The Late Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran

P.S. It's Crispin Beltran's Day Today! Kilala niyo siya? He is a genuine, militant, and anti-Imperialist labor leader. See? That's what I'm talking about.

P.S. I will receive a compensation just for attending this particular seminar. Woah! Time for some good pasta!

P.S. Wala na akong proofreader and grammar checker. Poor me.

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