Contribution
Wrong type of bravery
Filipinos are naturally brave and this is manifested in many ways. The Philippine history is full of stories of the courageous acts and bravery of Filipinos. The national heroes that took arms and fought the early invaders of our country had shown bravery. But you might wonder why the title of this article is saying that bravery is the cause of the downfall of Filipinos. Like a tool, bravery used in the right time and for the right reason is a good thing, it can bring positive results. But if this tool is mis-utilized and abused, negative consequences are sure to be expected.
Example of good use of bravery is when being oppressed, you should be able to defend yourself. Running away from trouble is another way someone can show bravery and courage. The discipline to follow the law and the rules and regulations is another form of bravery. This is because if the law is being followed and respected by all, discipline and orderly in the community will exist and less social problem can occur.
Commonly many Filipinos show and display the wrong forms of bravery. The following are the things they do to show this wrong kind of bravery:
1. Many Filipinos think that they are brave when they are drunk; they get their courage from the spirit of alcohol. This is stupid type of bravery.
2. Many Filipinos show that they are brave enough to break laws. This simply shows that they do not respect the law of the country and that they do not fear the authorities like the police. In most industrialized countries, the community respects the law enforcement and is brave enough to follow the law, for example driving according to the posted speed limit. In the Philippines, many especially the tambays and astigs even taunt the police, sometimes beat them up. Just watch a typical news report where thugs representing themselves as activists trying to start a fight with riot police.
3. The Philippines is one of the countries where dirty politicians are so powerful that the laws of the country have no value in their territories. That the national government can possibly lose control and jurisdiction in certain communities, especially in places where political dynasties rule. These politicians usually proclaim that they are the law and ruler of that particular place.
4. Another form of wrongful use of bravery is that many politicians practice vote buying. In this case, they show that they are brave to break the law and many times they will claim that they are above the law.
5. Many Filipinos for example take a dump or urinate in public places where there are signs stating "bawal umihi or magkalat dito". Either they are brave enough to face being humiliated when caught or simply are plain stupid and cannot read the sign.
6. These and many other forms of wrong type of bravery can be observed in the Philippines.
The preceding list are just few of the many observations where Filipinos show and practice wrong kind of bravery and courage. This behavior and negative actions causes the downfall of the country and causes the miserable lives of most of them. If this practice continues, it is easy to say that the Philippines is surely going down the drain and you can rely that the future of the country is going to be in turmoil for a while. If Filipinos, to include the corrupt officials, can just impose in themselves to show the right kind of courage and bravery, by following the rules and respecting the law of the country and other Filipinos, there will be hope. A government that people do not respect is useless and as good as a toothless dog that can't protect itself when bullied by a small mouse.