It was last weekend when I checked my email and found this contest from Nuffnang and Globe Telecom asking the blogging community this question: "If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?". It is a great campaign to push this start of the year using the hashtag #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014 showing Globe's eagerness to give back to their community. I was excited to join and answer this one but nothing really realistic came into my mind.
While reflecting on this topic, I found a blog post showing pictures of Metro Manila during the 1950's. It made me realize how beautiful our country was without the crowded streets and filthy surroundings. As I read through the comments in that blog post, most of them blamed the government and corruption. I couldn't agree more to that but it made me think if they were solely responsible for it or there were other factors.
I decided to answer this question some other day since I need to drive for my mom. This topic was still in my head as I drove by EDSA early in the morning. The answer came to me as I saw the red light while other cars just drove pass by it. I chose to follow the stop sign even when no one was looking.
So If there is one thing I can give to the Philippines, what is that gift? My answer to that is "I will be a responsible citizen of this country". Driving alone will show you how some people can be so undisciplined and even bad role models for the kids. Crossing in the middle of a highway, over speeding, throwing their trash on the street, beating the red light are some of the few things you'll see in a busy street of our Metro. Most of the time we blame the government but do we ever ask ourselves if we have been good to our country?
It's the simple things that we do in our daily lives that can affect our future. I guess we get what we give and lately climate change & high criminal rates are few of the biggest evidence to that. As my mom says all the time "It was safer to go out at night when I was young compare to today" and I couldn't agree more. Because as time passed by Filipino people had forgotten to be responsible and disciplined citizens. Choosing what's right from wrong regardless if you gain from it or not. I'm not saying that we should all be a martyr, I just want to push our fellow country men to be a better version of themselves. But for now I plan to start it on myself and maybe inspire other people around me to do the same. Let's look back and promote the real values of our heritage that we forgotten.
Do you have your own answer to this question by Globe and Nuffnang? Then feel free to comment below or even create your own blog post about it too. Let's all push for this #GLOBEPROJECTWONDERFUL2014 for our beloved Philippines.
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I would love to extend help to people who are in need especially people whose from Eastern Visayas
ReplyDeleteIf there is one thing i can give to the Philippines, that is CHANGE. As I quote Mahatma Gandhi: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Change to improve. Change to be perfect. Change for the better. Change the way I look at things and know that this brings opportunities.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Inquirer.net, “Philippines is the fastest growing Asian country in 2013. Despite the impressive growth figures, the Philippines faces many challenges. Among them, the global slowdown, excessive capital inflows and natural disasters, an annual occurrence in the Southeast Asian country where poor infrastructure and rice fields suffer damage from typhoons and floods.” I for one, never felt this growth. And since growth comes from continuous effort, I think we must help our country and help must begin with me and my family. Start acknowledging and stop complaining. Start helping and stop evading. Start conserving and stop expending. Start patronizing and stop venerating “others”. Help in revamping education by beginning with my own child for future employment opportunity. Teach her what she needs to learn and let her experience what she needs to gain. For the fact that what greatly affects our economy are natural disasters due to exploitation of the environment, I can help by exercising pro-earth, opt for organic by simply utilizing non-toxic household products.
If there's one thing i can give to the Philippines, it is CHANGE. Change on myself, cradling my family, where I can take responsibility and I'm in charged of.
#GLOBEProjectWonderful2014
One thing that I wish I can give to the Philippines is a free medium of communication for every Juan. Every Juan wants to be connected in anyway to another Juan. That's why we have at least one reunion, gathering, occasions, etc every year. Since we also have a trait that we are hardworking, some of us needs to work abroad or out of town, but Juan's are known for their Close Family Ties, we can never celebrate holidays, birthdays without any transactions to our closest relatives and friends.
ReplyDeleteText messages, video calls, telephone calls, etc. We have to admit that we are worried about our friends and families everytime there a new typhoon that's coming. Juans are always here to lend a hand to their relatives - even strangers whenever it is needed. Juans are really creative, during the times we don't have any options, we always find that ingenious ways of solving our problems. It would be really helpful if someone would help me grant my advocacy for every Juan.
loisnicolebaguio@yahoo.com
I agree with you. Books play a big role in shaping the minds of people. As a kid, I loved reading books and from experience, I can say that it has made all the difference.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We need to be better prepared for our natural calamities.
I’ve been a Globe user for 14 years and through this #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014
contest, I am glad to be given the chance to possibly contribute something to my country in collaboration with a brand and company I trust and believe in.
If I were given the chance to give a tangible gift to the Philippines in partnership with GLOBE TELECOM, I would like to create a mobile app dedicated to encouraging and acknowledging acts of kindness. The mobile app will be called Good Vibes, or simply GV.
Good Vibes is about doing, noticing and cultivating simple acts of generosity that ultimately, make an impact and create a difference in other people’s lives.
A simple call, text or email are just some of the ways we can extend our friendship and show concern to others. Just like Globe, the Good Vibes app is ultimately about relationships- treating people with compassion and kindness and enriching each other’s lives. It is a testament to how little things can make great things possible, how selflessly reaching out to others brings people together and therefore, makes the world smaller.
twitter.com/daydreamglitter
I’ve been a Globe user for 14 years and through this #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014
ReplyDeletecontest, I am glad to be given the chance to possibly contribute something to my country in collaboration with a brand and company I trust and believe in.
If I were given the chance to give a tangible gift to the Philippines in partnership with GLOBE TELECOM, I would like to create a mobile app dedicated to encouraging and acknowledging acts of kindness. The mobile app will be called Good Vibes, or simply GV.
Good Vibes is about doing, noticing and cultivating simple acts of generosity that ultimately, make an impact and create a difference in other people’s lives.
A simple call, text or email are just some of the ways we can extend our friendship and show concern to others. Just like Globe, the Good Vibes app is ultimately about relationships- treating people with compassion and kindness and enriching each other’s lives. It is a testament to how little things can make great things possible, how selflessly reaching out to others brings people together and therefore, makes the world smaller.
twitter.com/daydreamglitter
If there’s one thing that I can give my dear country that
ReplyDeletewould be …. The gift of Health.
I want to do a medical mission with the help ofNuffnang Philippines and Globe thru #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014
Health is wealth. No amount of money, time and effort can
ever, ever, bring the best of your health back, once it’s gone.
In my 6 years of practice as a nurse, I have seen how our
healthcare system struggles to provide quality care for our countrymen, may it be in manpower, medicines, or equipments both in the
community and hospital.
I’ve seen people deteriorating day by day because they can’t
afford to go to a doctor. I’ve seen
patients die because their
families didn’t have enough money to buy basic medicines.
I am believing that we can do something about this. One of
those needy, ailing, indigent patients could be your mom, dad, granparent,
relative, dear friend, loved one…
In short, we are all CONNECTED, one way or another. So it is
not just a matter of “about them” and “about us” because it is
ABOUT US — ALL OF US.
After spending a lot of time thinking, I come up with an answer. I would like to give the Philippines the gift of faith. Faith not just in terms of religion but faith in everything they were dealing as nation, and as a country. Faith that everything will soon be alright and will fall into its place. Faith that the government will be less corrupt and more in service. Faith that the church will continue to lead its community to the right path with the values instilled in each and everyone. Faith that will someday, a Filipino will wake up in the midst of silence where there's no war between military groups and rebels. Faith that broken heart caused by family separation will be healed. Faith that everyone will have an access to right education. Faith that in this world full of hate, there's still love that will always prevail. Faith that in every bad things happening around, there's always a reason to find the silver lining. #GlobeProjectWonderful2014
ReplyDeleteThe first time I heard this question from a friend made time for me to think of the gifts that I can give to them. Just like the author said, me too do not have money to help the people in the Philippines. Until I get to the point, I was stopped and saw things slowly moving when I saw someone gave their donuts to the beggars and street children sleeping along the streets. My heart was amazed and my mind started to think of every man. I will honestly say that I am a selfish person and do not know how to give something to someone without condition. But that time and until this day I believe all the Filipino out there have a loving heart and a helping hand to prove that we can act as one. Bad people are not always bad. People change, all are permanent except for change. To God be the glory. He made me realized the three gifts that I should give to the Filipino people without thinking of being a rich person or having full pockets. And those gifts are PRAYERS (for them to remember God all the time), a LOVING HEART (for them to feel that they were not alone) and a HELPING HAND (for them to become strong and build their life for this another chance)
ReplyDelete"You dont need to be wealthy in terms of helping. A simple and little thing could help to uplift them"
- Virgilio Bautista Jr
jayrbautista31@gmail.com
My gift to the Philippines will be the gift of opportunity.
ReplyDeleteOpportunity for job, for education, for food, for shelter, for health services and all the other basic necessities each and every one of us will need. If there are enough opportunities for all us then equality can never be far enough to achieve. If those things will be provided crime rate, poverty, homeless, illiterate, and hunger could be all lessen. Peace in every people can be possible and we can all work hand in hand in making this country more efficient and successful.
If I can give something to the Philippines that is immaterial, that would be Discipline. If one person wakes up one morning and decided that "starting today, I will follow rules and the law, I will be a disciplined citizen." And religiously and conscientiously does this everyday for the rest of his life, and other people will see this change and because of this example others will follow suit. If this will be our mentality, don't you think our country would be a better place to live in? Where: - people don't throw their trash just anywhere, drivers follow their lanes, public utility vehicles stops at points only where it is allowed to drop or pick up passengers, people cross where it s only allowed to cross the street, motorists follow the speed limit and are diligent, people know how to fall in line and don't cut in a line, we arrive in meetings or gatherings on time, we don't vandalize and other thousand more things that we can do to show discipline.
ReplyDeleteThe tangible thing that I want to give to the Philippines is the gift of Education. I still strongly believe that education is the key for success; yes, there are those who make their lives and the lives of their loved ones easier and comfortable by making a living and succeeding in their fields even though they have not finished school. But that's one in a million. Having proper education will still give someone an edge to survive in this world. One can get a better paying job, thus, one will have greater chances of helping his/her family for a better life.
With that being said, to answer the question: "If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?”, I would like #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014 help me by Adopting a Scholar or Donating to REAL LIFE FOUNDATION.
Real LIFE Foundation is a christian non-profit, NGO that was incorporated in 2007 with the vision of seeing thousands of marginalized Filipino youth educated, gainfully employed and uplifting their communities. The goal of Real LIFE Foundation is to transform lives, families & communities through hope and education. Real LIFE Foundation is one of the organizations that is in line with what I believe in. Like them, I strongly regard that education is the key to a better life.
The foundation does not only help its recipients by paying for their tuition, but they also help equip them in most, if not all, that they will need to finish college and what they'll be needing when they start looking for a job. They hold personality development coaching for the scholars and even tackles on how to dress and present their selves properly during job interviews and when they're already employed. Also, the students’ other miscellaneous expenses will be covered, like books, uniforms, OJT expenses and a daily meal & transportation allowance. Because of that the scholars don’t have to worry if they will be able to eat or get to school.
As I've said awhile back, Real LIFE Foundation does not only focuses on the financial side of putting a student in school but also comprehensively addresses the needs of their scholars that will help them thrive after finishing school. This is done through their LIFE Coaching, which is the character development program of the Real LIFE Foundation and which provides mentoring for their scholars in Leadership, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence.
helloviellobits.blogspot.com
This is a great idea! My gift to the Philippines though is a little different.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I noticed is that whenever someone posts a picture showing the beauty of our country, Pinoys are quick to say, "Wow ang ganda! Parang wala ka sa Pinas!"
Why is that?
Our country is beautiful. I'm not only talking about white sand beaches or amazing waterfalls all over our tourism posters; I'm talking about beauty in the unexpected - a cozy little cafe in an eskinita in Quezon City, or an ukay haven hidden away in Paranaque. Our country is bursting with culture and stories to tell, but when Filipinos look around, they focus on the negative.
People don't see the food trip opportunities around Katipunan, or the art and culture of The Collective, or the musical playground of Cubao X. How can we expect foreigners to appreciate our country when we can't even do that ourselves? How can we expect to grow as a nation when we lack a very important aspect: love of country?
With this in mind, the idea I came up with is a website or app that shows the unexpected beauty of our country.
The purpose of the website/app is simple: Become a tourist in your own city, and fall in love with it. Just like how Parisians love Paris, or New Yorkers love the Big Apple, it's possible for the people of Manila to fall in love with Manila - dirt, pollution, culture and all.
"MNL 143 - Love This City" - The site or app will thrive on submissions or posts by regular people. Users take photos of both popular and popular places they think people should see and experience. They can post great food finds, events, and other happenings that people rarely see or visit. They can also include a guide to the place! (ex. Newbie's Guide to Divisoria) This gives people a chance to experience the city in a way they've never experienced before. I bet people who've lived in Manila their whole lives have yet to experience the city beyond the typical malls and will appreciate hole-in-the-wall boutiques and surprises. This project will allow Filipinos to appreciate our own, instead of always longing for the beauty of other countries.
Over time, the website/app can expand by including other cities like Cebu, Davao, etc. This project will do so much more than just supply Filipinos with information that will change the way they look at the country / the city. Instead of seeing Manila as overpopulated and dirty, maybe we can all start appreciating the culture and all the things Manila has to offer.
When you love someone, you are willing to do anything and make sacrifices to make that person happy. In the same manner, when you love your country, you become more cooperative if it means you'll be contributing to its growth and development. Improving our country can't come from political reforms or mass-feeding projects if we can't even cover the basics. First, we must love our country, and the rest will follow.
hellotonichi.blogspot.com
I want to give the gift of light to the Philippines. More specifically the gift of SOLAR POWER. As a victim of the super typhoon Yolanda, wherein we totally had no communication due to power outage for a while and even until now electricity has not been fully restored in many places that were in Yolanda’s path, having backup power coming from SOLAR Energy is truly indispensable. Too much chaos occurs in the dark at night when a lot of people cannot rest easy for fear of thieves and looters. Having light (literally!) in these dark and trying times is what we truly need. But I do also wish for every Filipino household, Yolanda victim or not, to have 100% sustainable hybrid homes and eco-friendly houses that combine rainwater harvesting and clean energy generation (THINK: UNLIMITED WATER SUPPLY & SOLAR POWERED HOUSES!). This way our electric bills and carbon footprints will be largely diminished as well as we can show our love for Mother Earth.
ReplyDelete- Maria Velasquez-Franco of www.bastaigatsikat.com for #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014