I have written a lot of essays, journal entries, and anything that involves a cheap pen and a decent page out of desire. My pen has swished and swooshed from teenage angst, social issues, lovesick poetry, and even dinosaurs, however never have I ever thought of writing about my home – The Philippines. It is pretty ironic how I can practically write about anything my eyes pinpoint to without hesitation, yet I find it difficult to write about a place that watches me sleep, a place that I wake up to everyday.

            2016 has been a tough year for the Philippines ever since Duterte took over the administration. And with the somehow sufficient media coverage, Filipinos are able to catch a glimpse of what is in store for them. Victims with cardboard signs that say “Drug pusher ako!”, discrete misogyny, sexism, and unruly angst has reigned our streets. People claim that Duterte attaining power will be the end for us Filipinos, however aren’t we already slowing dying? We open our mouths and allow our tongues to move along with the rhythm of our formulated opinions. Out of all the times your tongue swayed to the beat of your word choice, how many times have you opened your mind as well?

                2016 and we Filipinos are still blinded over bizarre obsessions our very own minds create. The human mind is amazing for giving us the capability to think, create, and perceive, but reality check – it’s killing us in the most discrete way possible. These obsessions range from refusing to open your door when the rays of the sun are brighter than ever in fears of getting darker, binge-watching your typical teleserye as if the plot isn’t already predictable, getting involved with foreign trends just to fit in, and a lot more.  Not to mention, Filipinos are sadly super brand conscious and materialistic. We often fantasize over imported goods and expensive brands to the fact that we mistake quantity for quality.  But tell me, out of all the times you tried scrubbing off what you consist of, how many times were you actually happy?

                2016 and we Filipinos are surrounded by the hugot culture. Ever since hugots became a thing, not a single day has passed without people making fun of their non-existent relationships. I have to admit though, it is a good alternative for being able to express what you feel. However this practice has come part with our daily activities to the point that our world revolves around this practice and by now we should be able to set a wall between the things you can infuse your hugots with and the things you have to take seriously. Out of all the times you unleashed a striking line, when was the last time you actually felt it strike your heart?

 2016 and the true essence of our religion is slowly dying. I honestly don’t get the point of praying if there is no sincerity tied around your prayer or the way the church handles our religion at all. Majority are born catholic but tell me, when was the last time you went to church with everyone willingly participating? People don’t even go to church anymore without thinking about what they would do after mass, avoiding the glare of their screens and/or falling asleep. In school, we are asked to start and end the class with a prayer and honestly, is everyone really praying? Or do some people just toss in a sign of the cross and call it one? Lastly, I don’t get why Filipinos take the written scriptures literally – treat the bible like poetry, not a fucking dictionary; we end up swallowing the words of the Lord instead of actually digesting it. Now tell me: out of the many times you were asked to pray, when was the last time you talked to God with sincerity and willingness?

                We are now down to the last few days of 2016 and yet we are still here – alive and unaware. Even after writing this essay, I still can’t say that I fully understand the Filipino culture. However one thing for sure is even if our culture progressively changes, I will always love my home – The Philippines.