success and loving it

Yesterday was a big day for us. Our project "Tracking Governance Reforms" under NEDA, conducted a Consultation with major stakeholders. After much preparation and a lot of stress we were able to accomplish tasks set with flying colors (nice work pips!!!) It was like such a great feeling to be able to hear people appreciate something which you so hope to be taken into by heart by the people. Mushy as it may sound but I almost wept because I was happy. And being the Angst person that I am, it was such a heady feeling for me. Seeing and even hearing the people voice out their concern for their sectors or country and their hopes of making the Philippines a better place for all. They even asked me "saan kami pwedeng pumasok sa inyong proyekto upang makatulong?" I mean WOW! They are willing to help us!!!

The other night at school I had such a bad time with my classmates. Majority of which works for the government. They were bashing the very institution they belong to. I mean can't they seem to understand that if they critize the government they are also critizing themselves? What have they to contribute by adding to the frustrations of the people? And somehow hearing from my professor that he also thinks progress can only take place about 30 years from now was too much for me to take it sitting down. DUH! He is a professor of a Public Administration school teaching Economic Development and yet sharing his perception of hopelessness. Too harsh? damn right it is! I know the government is not at its best for a long time nor are the people but what have they done to contribute in resolving these problems? You see things are changing and a lot of these are positive changes. Let's not generalize things I mean it would be unfair for a lot of people not only in thse in the government who are striving hard to bring change and create growth and development for the Filipino people. If we really want good governance and a better country lets change how we perceive things. Let's be more optimistic and start taking actions instead of complaining and doing nothing. You know if you are not contributing anything but your blabber better shut up or get the hell out of our country! There are a lot of best practices and replications of these practices; maybe not that much at the national level but more in the local level. The impact of these changes may not be seen in the growth rate of the country nor is it visible in the GNP or GDP, but it is felt by the people within that area. And to make lives a bit easier for these poor and vulnerable people makes it worth all the effort and hardwork. Development is not just about the economy but it should be more of human development. We may not have the answer to everything, nor am I providing some sort of a panacea for the country's problem but atleast we are doing something, minimal as it may seem but if we sum up all fo these small things it'll become big, the impact will be greater. I have swallowed the bitter pill of feeling frustrated and hopeless but I am now holding a torch to light my way and with great Hope that people will see this and help in the lighting of the way towards a better Philippines. I love my country and anything bad against it particularly on issues I am advocating for is a personal thing. So don't laugh at me for being nationalistic and pasisonate about hoping for a better country because I know I will see this in my lifetime. Yup wish me luck but more than that work with me in achieving this. Mabuhay tayong lahat!