Last Sunday, many Filipinos joined a people power moment against corruption. Yet, thirty-nine years after EDSA, we’ve overthrown a dictator, sent jail to a few presidents and officials, and still feel the same problems rising year after year. Why? Because changing faces isn’t enough. The system may stay, but is it really the system alone? Perhaps the culprit is our culture, the beliefs and habits that shape how we act every day.
The call is simple: create a new culture, not preserve the old one.
We’ve heard slogans like “Filipino first,” “Tama na, sobra na, palitan na,” and “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” They aim at goals, but slogans rarely rewrite how we think and behave.
When a new president comes, even if qualified and honest, change can stall if root causes aren’t addressed. It’s like taking painkillers for a toothache: the pain recurs until you fix the tooth.
Vox Populi, Vox Dei - the voice of the people is often about who suffers: “I am poor.” “I am suffering.” “I am unworthy.” But where does that mindset come from? The roots lie in how we’ve been taught to see ourselves, our duties, and our neighbors. We may have been shaped by church, school, media, and society to believe that problems are someone else’s fault, that appearances matter more than character, and that quick fixes are acceptable. A culture of apathy, double standards, and reliance on external rituals rather than inner renewal harms any sustainable reform.
What would a true culture shift look like?
A sense of personal responsibility: recognizing that my actions affect others and that I am part of a shared destiny.
Genuine discipline and perseverance: choosing long-term good over instant gratification, even when it’s hard.
A work ethic rooted in excellence: doing the best we can in every task, no matter how small.
Respect for the rule of law and transparent governance: demanding accountability not just from leaders but from ourselves.
A relational, communal orientation: seeing “neighbor as self” and pursuing the common good over individual gain.
Inner renewal that translates into public life: integrity, sincerity, and moral courage becoming everyday habits, not just words in speeches.
If Filipinos rise, it must begin within each person. National development cannot rely solely on laws, institutions, or leaders; it requires a reshaped value system, one that values integrity, service, and collective progress. We need to cultivate citizens who do not wait for a reform in government to act justly, who do not chase quick fixes, and who insist on consistency between beliefs and actions.
The path forward is both cultural and practical:
Start with education that emphasizes character, civic duty, and critical thinking.
Support communities and programs that model ethical leadership and public service.
Hold ourselves and our institutions to higher moral standards, not just higher GDP or slogans.
If we commit to an internal transformation where love of neighbor, responsibility, and accountability become daily practice, our politics, economy, and society can follow. A great nation is not built by chance; it’s made by people who choose a new culture over old excuses. The question is: do we have the courage to start that work today?
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