Nationalism Today

Filipinos are known to be globally-competitive in different aspects and fields. With that, it is certain that there is a need to keep up with other countries, which is not an actual problem due to technologys contributions. The only problem I see is: it highly affects people in such a way that it slowly disintegrates the Filipino nationalism amongst us. You could say that it could not be measured, but I can assure you that it is fading right before your very eyes without you knowing it. If I ask you who Carlos P. Romulo is, maybe you would know; but most people dont. Other people would probably know more about Twilight. Another thing: after graduating from your four or five year course in college, let me ask you, who would do anything just to go abroad? I am thinking most of you would. Instead of staying and serving their own country, majority of this generation would generally want to go abroad and earn a living there. Is that you people call nationalism? With these ideals in mind, Philippine nationalism is being eroded little by little as time passes by. This, in my opinion, is an alarming problem that may cause bigger social and cultural disorders in our future society. Nationalism, normally, refers to an ideology, a form of culture, or a social movement that focuses on the nation. Moreover, it also refers to the urge of the nations people to advocate the culture and interests of their homeland. As we most probably know, Philippine nationalism doesnt naturally occur to us because of many different reasons. There is our colonial history; we were colonized by a lot of powerful countries that developed our well known colonial mentality trait. Also, we have the common dream of the Filipinos to go and live abroad. With that, the Filipinos tend to adapt to life there, forgetting about their own here. At the end of the day, nationalism is slowly decaying in the system of most Filipino citizens due to these factors. Clearly, this is a hindrance to the countrys needed growth and development. Most people might say that OFWs are modern heroes because their sacrifice to leave the country to provide their families a living is an act of nationalism. I totally disagree with this said statement. Their very absence is problem right now because they are causing the lack of professionals here in the Philippines. Students in provincial public schools sometimes have one teacher for three, four, or all subject areas. Imagine fifty children being handled by one teacher. In the provinces, people there suffer pain from their sicknesses because there are no doctors in the hospitals. You would see in documentaries that some hospitals only have a nurse. A nurse. How could a nurse do all the work? How could one nurse heal one thousand people in a day or a week? Going to other countries may affect the economy through remittances and the family as well but staying here to serve the Filipino in need of their service would mean so much more than remittances. Being able to stay here and serve despite the fact that they could earn more as an OFW; that is definitely a greater act of nationalism. The Philippines needs more that just Filipinos living in their country; it needs people serving it and appreciating its ideals and culture. Things should be done for the preservation of the nationalism for this country that earned us Philippines freedom long ago. Advocating its principles and valuing its traditions are the first steps towards developing nationalism within ourselves. For me, imposing nationalism should be done to resolve and restore the Philippine nationalism, as our country deserves it.