Hate, not appreciate

In the song entitled No Better Blues, Chancelor Bennett, or better known by his stage name Chance the Rapper; simply sang about the things that he hate the most. One of the verses in this particular song talks about how Bennett hates his bed, the dog, the couch, the road, the bar, his boss, pancakes, the news, and waiting. In the song’s entirety, practically every verse, except the chorus, talks about how Bennett pretty much hates every simple petty thing there is.  I actually recommend everybody to listen to it. It’s a pretty great song to be honest, and it deeply reflects the “hate” culture that us Filipinos are accustomed to.

Case in point, the recent and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) by Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III last July 27, 2015 at the Batasang Pambansa, which lasted for two hours and 13 minutes. The recent SONA, while it may not have been the best, and while it definitely failed to tackle other relevant issues, has some particular highlights that the nation should be proud of such as the highest economic growth after four decades, lowest unemployment rate in a decade, growth in the different industrial sectors, significant reduction of foreign debt, corruption ranking significantly shifting from 134^th least corrupt country to the 85^th, and other beneficial economic gains throughout the term of the Aquino administration.

But with the movements outside Batasan and the disrespectful protest staged inside the plenary hall after the final SONA, it seems to me that regardless of who’s in power and what they do to better the country, hate from the people will still be alive and kicking. Now, while I do understand that politics is a rather messy game to play, and that a perfect administration is nothing but mere fiction, I would like to question the intention and reason for the absurd amount of hate to an administration who surprisingly did a better job and possess a higher approval rate compared to its predecessors.

I am neither a supporter of the administration or the executive’s party affiliation, but I do believe in giving credit where credit is due. I believe that the Aquino administration missed out on social reforms but have successfully built the foundation for the execution of a better Philippines. Such is the meaning of the seeds are planted and it only needs nurturing before the rewards are to be reaped. But instead of a warm applause and peaceful conclusion, the last SONA of the administration is met with protesters waiting to pounce with banners directly attacking the president’s persona rather than his platform. Again, I do believe that banners bearing the words “mapang-aping haciendero” is rather unnecessary, irrelevant, and disrespectful in the plenary hall, especially during the last SONA of the incumbent.

If one were to hate for the sake of hating without any particular and meaningful reason to do so, then whatever protest you do is simply a waste of time, safety, and everything else in between. Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, an alliance of militant organizations, organized the protest during the last SONA of the Aquino administration, and it was estimated that about 20,000 people joined the movement along Commonwealth Avenue. To the 20,000 Filipinos who joined the rally outside Batasang Pambansa, what exactly are you fighting for? Face the facts, there’s no possible way for any administration to turn the Philippines into rags to riches overnight. To the 20,000 Filipinos who called for the incumbent’s resignation on the day of SONA, what do you expect to happen once the president succumbs to your demands? If you’re going to complain and rant, at least give a counter solution to what you’re complaining about and don’t hate aimlessly. To the 20,000 Filipinos who littered Commonwealth Avenue, and to those who were harmed, robbed, harassed, and stressed from both the militants and the administration’s side, was it all worth it? The answer to this question is not as complicated as it seems.

The long-standing hate and personalities looming around the government have disabled the people’s ability to think long-term and foresee the possibilities that the Aquino administration established over the course of its term. Now that it’s all said and done, and as we enter another presidential election season, I pray that instead of pointless hate, us Filipinos will eventually learn how to respectfully appreciate.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of The LaSallian or DLSU.