The Philippines I grew up to, the "free" Philippines not anymore limited by the dictatorial rule of then President Ferdinand Marcos, has always been plagued by corruption. As far as we're concerned, the word "government" is so synonymous with "corruption" that no one would be surprised if they were seen in each other's entry in the thesaurus.
I have been vocal of my support for President Noynoy Aquino during his presidential campaign. After enduring 10 years of crap from the previous administration, everyone wanted positive change. We each had our views, and ultimately, the yellow campaign won. Looking at the state of the government now, it seems as if nothing has actually changed much. Corrupt and/or unqualified politicians are still voted into power and we still loathe the government because of how much tax they deduct from our salaries, only to give back so little.
Despite how loud we shout for change, though, we seem to just let tradition drag us down, then blame it all on the government. Despite our clamor for change, we continue to cultivate our traditions. It shows on the political families that dominate the local scene. And it shows on our everyday lives.
The "Bakit Sila" Mentality
We Filipinos are creatures of imitation. From movies inspired by Western media to fashion inspired by our neighboring countries. This same drive to imitate is that which keeps us from being a developed country, but it may also serve as an inspiration to finally start change within ourselves. Let me cite some negative examples of this mentality:
On Mall/Train Lines - It's usually chaotic, going to a mall during rush hour, or lining up to get to a train station in the morning. Lines are crazy and people continually bump you to be able to get in first. People with baggage line up at the "express/no bag" lane and guards still check them and let them in. Those who see this do the same, thinking "bakit sila, pumila dun?" and do the same thing.
On Traffic Rules - Traffic lights. Traffic signs. They're there to be followed, not merely suggest. If it says "yellow" you should slow down, "red" to stop, a sign that crosses out an inverted "U" means you can't make a u-turn on that street. Basic rules and regulations people need to know before being able to acquire a license. Yet because of people who break these rules, those who wonder "eh bakit sila, pwedeng gawin yun?" follow suit, resulting to more chaos on the roads.
Cultivating Corruption - A respected friend of mine was known to be a man of principle back in his college days. Eventually, he got a position in the government and enjoyed the perks it brought. I remember him telling me that its either you let the system eat you up, or fail in that field. The government has become a "survival of the fittest" kind of game, and newbies entering it would have that "bakit sila, ganun kumita?" line of thought, and eventually learn to play the same game the older TraPos play.
Discipline and Change
I think genuine change still lies within ourselves. Refraining from the negative "bakit sila" mentality and turning it into a positive thought. We envy the roads of Singapore and resign to thinking that its not possible to emulate here, however, we can see traces of it in Subic. How come we can do it in Subic, but can't do it in freakin Quezon City? We shouldn't keep thinking and acting on "bakit sila, pwedeng mag-counterflow" when we should be thinking and acting on "bakit sila, maayos ang disiplina sa kalsada?".
I do not wish to defend the government, I'm as disappointed as most Filipinos are. While it is easy to blame everything on the government, no change will come to us if we don't trust in it. So, why would we wait for positive changes in a government we can't learn to trust, when we can start change within ourselves by doing ordinary things guided by discipline and not by what others do? Rules are meant to be followed in order to avoid chaos. While breaking some of it allows temporary relief for us, it does not help our cause in aspiring to be a better country to live in.
So I say, stop ranting and start doing. If politicians can't make our country better, why can't we?
