Are we merely a nation of loyalists?

Madrid, October 12, 2026: reflecting on our Philippine situation.  On our streets, jeepney drivers are fighting a raw, desperate battle for survival. “We can barely make enough to feed our families!  Fare increase!  Discount on diesel!”  Supportive media underscore the drama, and yet, almost instantly, their human struggle is hijacked by the familiar, ugly machinery of political propaganda: genuine grievances are weaponized into partisan mudslinging.

    It seems to be an unfortunate habit with us Filipinos—in our “ningas cogon” mentality the real issues get buried, the nation gets divided, and we are left fighting phantom enemies while the true systemic rot remains untouched.

    Why do we do this to ourselves? Why do Filipinos remain so fractured, consistently supporting leaders with proven records of corruption? Like cult followers we have learned to remain fiercely loyal to our political idols while completely abandoning our national ideals. 

    Can’t we widen our horizons and see beyond our noses? We are not the only country on earth facing a crisis. The whole world is on fire, yet a huge majority of us seem content with swiping and shopping, getting high on TikTok entertainment, and burying our heads in the sand, crying “Wala akong pakelam!” 

    Look at the world news. Governments are stumbling globally, economies are breaking, and nations everywhere are navigating deep unrest.

    As of this writing, in France, hundreds of thousands of students and unions have blockaded schools to protest severe underfunding, teacher shortages, and dilapidated school buildings. Clashes with riot police have led to thousands of arrests and numerous injuries.  

    Massive, synchronized crowds marched through London, Berlin, Paris, and dozens of other countries to mark three years of conflict in Gaza, demanding an end to Israel’s military campaign, total arms embargoes, and state sanctions.

    In India, GenZers took to the streets over controversial voter registration changes, alleged exam leaks, and broader democratic actions. The government responded with a massive crackdown, detaining tens of thousands.

    Dual crises hit Belgium as socialist unions rioted in the capital over proposed government austerity, followed days later by 45,000 climate activists marching to demand immediate EU action.

    Here in Spain, triggered by the tragic eviction and death of a disabled senior citizen, protesters in Madrid have for days been occupying the financial center in blue tents, demanding affordable housing and calling for a general strike against soaring rents.

    The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a global fuel emergency. Syria and Bolivia face severe inflation, Slovenia has mandated strict fuel rationing, Sweden warns of major shortages, and South Korea and Australia are scrambling to overhaul shattered supply chains.

    A historic El Niño cycle has unleashed unprecedented flooding. Glacial collapses and deluges in Nepal have killed over 1,450 people, while catastrophic seasonal rains have displaced millions and wiped out critical farmlands across Central/West Africa (Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso), Vietnam, and Colombia.

    Narco-violence has haunted Ecuador and Haiti, keeping them crippled by catastrophic gang and cartel violence tied to transnational drug trafficking networks, while Mexico suffers high-intensity cartel conflicts over smuggling routes, causing deep societal instability and violence.

    When we watch the world stage, we see where our tiny country truly sits in the grand scheme of things. We are not the worst nation on earth. Far from it.  Yet here we are, treating our homeland with a unique brand of self-loathing, unfairly comparing ourselves to others while playing right into the historical script of “divide and rule” left behind by 350 years of colonial rule.

    

    Because we do not truly understand our history, we have failed to become true critical thinkers. We are hyper-critical of our perceived enemies, yet completely blind to our own faults. We judge the “other side” by their worst actions, but excuse our chosen idols for the exact same transgressions.  Is this all that we are now—a nation of “loyalists” identified by political colors?  Can we not see the blue of the sky beyond red, pink, green, yellow?

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    Who benefits when we tear each other apart over political personalities? Only the foreign powers and opportunistic elites who smile at our division. A nation that is quarreling, fractured, and emotionally reactive is a nation that is easy to manipulate, exploit, and control. When we fight one another, we do the work of our exploiters for them.

    We must break this cycle. It is time to face our struggles with calm, dignity, and confidence in ourselves.  Incessant online propaganda should not shape our thoughts. Let us not allow our discontent to divide us as a nation.  Instead, let us find strength in our unity, respect our own sovereignty, and pray for our leaders rather than wishing for their failure.

    Can't we once and for all trust and embrace one another in love for our country? We are the only one who can save ourselves. If we could only trade our puny, partisan ambitions for a genuine, fierce love for our country, we would finally see that yes, we do have the power to rise. We just have to choose each other first.  And that’s the truth.