"Running... All I remember is running away.. away from something
terrible... something appalling, yet unseen by many. I know that it's there, lying in
plain sight, but hard to discern and is ignored by the masses.
The world I once knew to be my home was gone. I am now a stranger in my
own country. Every corner I look, I am greeted by nothing but hostility and
resentment. Everywhere I glance, strange and hopeless faces greet me. Every face
I see tells a story of grief and disappointment. All hope of an affectionate welcome
is now gone from me.
I am greatly distraught at what I saw and continue to see as I moved on. A
great change befell what was once my loving home. Lying seems to be the code of
etiquette in this place. Deception and betrayal worked hand-in-hand in its reign.
Criminals roam the land freely, thriving in their domains. Everywhere, there are
murders and slaughters. Hearing a cry for help, I immediately ran to its source, and
saw a most shocking scene. A rebel who was proclaiming his beliefs was shot at
point-blank range by a haughty-looking man wearing an insignia of the government.
It took everything I had to make myself move once more. Without anymore
delays, I sought the protection of the Police, the law enforcers. Thinking that I
would finally be in safe hands, I entrusted myself to them. It was then that I saw
something that was then carved to my mind. I saw someone trying to bribe an
officer, and lo and behold, he got away with it. It was unbelievable. I never once
thought that those people said to be the ones upholding the law would be the ones
to break them. I quickly walked away.
I can't remember where and when the man began following me. I just heard
his silent footfalls falling in step with mine. I hastened my steps. So did he. Doubt
and fear began clouding my mind. I began to run. But my pursuer was quick, and
he grabbed me from behind. Rough fingers began circling my throat, choking the
life out of me. My last thought was... I can't breathe..."
I woke up to reality. My alarm clock was going off like crazy. The bright
sun was shining through my window. I realized that everything I saw, heard and
felt was in fact only a very realistic dream, something I would call a nightmare.
What I saw in my dream was the Philippines as it underwent no change at
all. If nothing is ever done to change the present, our future would truly be bleak.
We would have no more control of what we will become.
Instead of waiting for something to happen, I reach out to you to start a
change. People must change.
"Ask not what your country can do for you; instead, ask what YOU can do
for your country."