Critique 2

Here's another review :) 

         

      12 Little Things

       by Alexander Lacson

      A Candle In Us

         “We have to attend to the many little things in our national life, and start setting them right,” quoted from 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country. This book preached about the change that we, the citizens of the Philippines, need to undertake for the improvement of our beloved nation. It also talked about the twelve simplest and possible ways to show care for the country that the Almighty gave to us. Written by Alexander L. Lacson, this is a wake-up call to Filipinos.

            To actually have the courage to voice-out a country- themed advocacy, a lot of people may wonder about the identity of the author. Frankly, I also have never heard of Mr. Alexander L. Lacson before. Thanks to his book, every reader got to know him better.

            He is a lawyer by profession and he also took post- graduate studies. He is married to his wife Pia Lacson and has four children. As a man full of patriotism and love for the country, what’s admirable about him is that he followed the rule “Practice what you preach.” He demonstrated that when he and Pia decided to stay here in the Philippines even though they were aiming for greener pastures abroad. Currently, he still continues to hold speeches to share the message.

            I have never met any other Filipino like him. For the improvement of the nation, his heart speaks instead of his mind. It’s like he’s a one-man radio drama that you’ll feel every word spoken. Even without seeing the facial expressions, the sincerity and his true concern got through the audience.

            I find it very laudable that he took an initiative to do something for the country. He used the power of words and writing as his way to express. I love to write and that is why I think that what he did is very inspiring. Someday, I hope that I can also do something similar but with my style and way.

            Mr. Lacson published this book to serve plenty of purposes. One of them was to inform the Filipinos or any other reader about the different situations in the Philippines. Second, he exposed some of the current negative standing of the Philippines. This was done not to dishearten, rather it was to encourage and provoke us. Third, it was also to set an example to every citizen. Fourth, most of the times, we unconsciously stop or prevent ourselves to do things. It’s like our flame of desire to focus on what’s important, disappears. I guess that made Mr. Lacon write the book -  to light up the candle in us and to free the locked patriotic spirit. We are often sitting ducks and just wait for something bad to happen before we make a move. So for me, the most significant purpose was to erase the “Juan Tamad” that lives in every Filipino.

            The twelve little things mentioned CAN be carried by every Filipino. Indeed, those are simple ways, the problem is that there’s a big difference between can and won’t. Everyone can do it but some won’t. In reality, even though the obvious things should be done, some people would make up excuses to do the exact opposite.

           Among the twelve, the hardest would be the eleventh little thing: adopt a scholar or a poor child. I think a lot of Filipinos won’t comply to that. Maybe it would be easy for some of the upper class families but not for the lower class. Actually, even though the rich families have the means, they may not do it. Like what Mr. Alex Lacson said, it is hard to adopt a stranger into one’s own family. There is always that fear about trust and betrayal. On the other hand, the poor families do not have the means nor the money to adopt. They may think that it’s too troublesome to add another member when resources are inadequate. They will look at it as another mouth to feed. If ever they  took in a child, chances are that the other children in the family will act indifferent or feel jealous. I think though, that the Child Sponsorship project would be more possible than the latter. Still, it’s difficult to spare money that a person needs.

           Although the twelfth little thing: Be a good parent. Teach your kids how to follow the law and love our country has more weight, the fifth little thing: Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier struck me the most. I felt that every Filipino should really do this not just with those mentioned but to everyone.  Therefore, I consider as the most important.

       “… the way a person is addressed or treated, determined to a large extent the way he would behave or respond to it,” I love this quotation mentioned in the book. Every day I use public vehicles for transportation. I noticed that the drivers are really delighted if you show respect and treat them nicely, they too respond in the same way with a smile. It really dignifies them like what Mr. Lacson said. If every Filipino does the fifth little thing, the ones named will perform their duties well. As the persons with positions in the country, this will be a big asset for the nation. With us recognizing them, they’ll be able to lead the country for a better tomorrow.

            As a student I’ve chosen second, fourth and sixth deed as the easiest little things to do. One, Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt. I am actually guilty about this. There were lots of times that I do not ask for receipts unless it’s very important or valuable. If I did not receive one, I simply wave it off. This is just a simple task but I guess a lot of us do not take it seriously. On the bright side, this will be easy for students. It’s not burdensome since they already paid. They just need the initiative to ask for one. Courage is also a must especially when the seller is in a bad mood or does not issue receipts. When that happens, a student must gently explain the reason why and prove their point.

            Two, When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country. This may be viewed in different ways. For others this may seem as boasting. To some, this may look like as a cover-up for the country’s imperfections. They’re wrong. This little thing should be done earnestly. I think that this one of the good things of today’s youth. When I was in high school, my classmates were aware of the flaws but they know the country’s strengths. Like them, I’ve also read and heard about teenagers talking about Philippines with passion. They present the country with pride and hope, they bring out the best in it. If this continues, foreigners will stop mocking us and see that we, the Filipinos and the nation are worthy to be praised.

            Third, Do not Litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve. This is easy for most of the students. This is in fact the lesson taught to every Filipino since they were young especially the reduce, reuse and recycle. This deed simple needs enthusiasm. This does not require money, on the contrary it saves. A student must learn to not let negligence get in the way, instead they just need to apply their resourcefulness. This little thing can affect our country in so many ways, students should take a step now.

            I was so impressed and moved by Alex Lacson’s list. I believe that those are the essential things our country yearns for. In line with that, I have also made my own top five of little things placed in an ascending order.

         Say Thank You and I’m Sorry. Be grateful to everything. Whether it’s something nice someone has done for you or a plain act of care or concern, saying “thank you” makes another feel good and satisfied. It’s to show that you’ve appreciated it. If these two words were not uttered at all, a person may feel that what he did was useless and he will not do it again. Saying “I’m sorry” has the same concept with that of “thank you,” it affects those both concerned in the situation. The act of asking for forgiveness is crucial for the relationship of fellowmen. In exhibits that a person admits his wrongdoing. It sets an example for others to swallow their pride and do the same.

      Words are powerful. To convey gratitude and forgiveness with sincerity, starts unity. A united nation can move forward in unimaginable scenarios. If Filipinos do this every time, it will be great for the Philippines.

           Be humble. Every Filipino needs to be meek. A person may be rich, talented, competitive, intelligent and may have all the things in the world, but he should not boast about it. Remember, in this whole wide universe, each person is only a tiny dot. The Philippines needs a leader and its citizens to not pose a higher standing. They should not compare their achievements but work together with humbleness.

            Have Courage. Every good deed need courage in order to be executed. It applies to a variety of things. One, be brave to stand up to what you believe in. Also, have the spirit to take initiative to do something good. Lastly, be courageous to say “no,” to immoral things. Filipinos during the Spanish colonization exhibited bravery to fight for our freedom. They demonstrated fearlessness when they joined together to take down a dictator. Philippines need these now. A simple act of gallantry helps our beloved country.

            Put on a smile. The magic of smile remains a mystery. I try to live every day with a smile. I noticed that it’s like a virus that’s very contagious because when you smile, the other person smile back. A delightful feeling surfaces. It draws people. It also sends a message like “I’m happy to see you.” The relationship of each Filipino can be strengthened by smiling. It exhibits trust and satisfaction, more than that, smile boosts up motivation which is undeniably a needed factor anywhere.

            Filipinos are known for smiling even when times are hard. This should continue for a brighter and sunnier Philippines.

            Have faith. Whatever we do, we must remember that God is always with us. Have faith in him, that’s the most important little thing every Filipino should do. A country that prays together stays together, that should be instilled to every Filipino mind. Every problem has a solution. The Philippines currently has too many problems, but it’s citizens should not forget that everything has a solution. Have FAITH. It will boost up confidence and it assures a person that nothing’s impossible with the Almighty.

            This five little things manifest my beliefs and my thought of ways to help the country I was born to – the country I love and will continue to serve.

            The author wrote the book in a straightforward way. With that, I believe that the readers didn’t have a hard time understanding what was written. Still, I have encountered unfamiliar words and even with the context clues, I had to use the dictionary to access the definitions. These words are self-flagellation, piqued, destitute and condone. I found out the first one means the act of severely criticizing oneself. The next is defined as to feel resentment or indignation. Destitute signifies the lack of resources or the means of subsistence. Lastly, condone is to overlook, forgive or disregard.

            The 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country is a wonderful book compacted with factual information and inspiring situations. It’s my first time to read this type of book and I was impressed. I really liked the stories included in some of the chapters especially with the adoption of Mike Reagan and South Korea as a tiger country because of Chung Hee Park. It was very heartwarming and I had goosebumps when I read those. More than that, it contained vital lessons. I would like to practice some of the rituals Mr. Alex Lacson mentioned. Hopefully, a lot more Filipinos will be given the opportunity to read this.

            I believe that this book will continue to open hearts and minds to do something for our country. We have a candle in us. Mr. Lacson already lighted it through this book. It’s our job to keep the flame alive and blazing.