Saturday, October 9

Taking Action

Lately, I've been getting great purchases from our University's library. Never did it cross my mind that I'd be able to read David Morrell's some few coveted books through the vast resource of De La Salle's 4-floor main library, not to mention the 2 annex libraries in the newly installed Br. Andrew Gonzalez Building. Of course, it would've been a waste if I did not get hold of some scholastic books, for purposes that, I presume, is known to you already.

However, I have not written this entry to praise the materials that our University offers to its student, nor did I intend to advertise the extensive use of libraries that we students should maximize, rather, to share to you my views on one of the controversial books published this year.

While researching supplementary materials for the completion of requirements in one of my floating courses, I, together with two other companions, went straight ahead to the Filipiniana section of our main library hoping to scour helpful sources for our report. Indeed, the library served its purpose of providing us information, but I got more than what I wanted. At the top shelf was 'Shadow of Doubt', an exposition by Marites Vitug with regard to the judicial system and the magistrates of the Supreme Court, also coined as the 'gods of Padre Faura'. I immediately texted my mother informing her of my interest in borrowing the book. It is quite oblivious, but my thirst for reading the book equaled hers.

Although Friday night traffic really buzzed my day, I partially thanked the hassle for because of it, I was able to read some few parts of the book while in the bus. Not even finishing the Acknowledgment page, it already made me realize things that I wouldn't have known if not for the book.

I would like to commend the author of the book for reasons I know I cannot fully put into writing. However, I feel obliged to offer some of my commendations to her in the next part of this entry. Also, I feel the need to explain the reason of my incapacity to write in her behalf. First, I have not yet finished reading the book, and it would take time before I can fully comprehend with the revelations that are yet to undermine my political views. Second, it would have been better for you to read Ms. Vitug's narrative and be awed by how her words relay to the readers a world that would have been forever a forgery of truth.

Ms. Vitug's courage is definitely meritorious. For those 'news hags' who make sure that they are always up-to-date to the everyday happenings of the country, I am quite sure that you have heard of the death threat(s) Ms. Vitug concurred the day before she released her book. For all that we know, she might have been receiving threats a few days before and after the release. As a writer and a journalist, she knew beforehand that the publication of her book would flame a nation-wide controversy that would not only affect the nation's judicial, legislative and executive wings, but also affect the socio-political and economic struggles of our country, putting her in the limelight of assassins and killers.

As far as my comprehension goes, Ms. Vitug wrote the book expecting an imbroglio of events, not to make herself famed, but rather to inform the people of a system that is unknown to the mass. She did not inhibit herself from sharing her talent and knowledge and open to the crowd an expose that could cost her own life.

But then I asked myself, "Is this all that she can do, write about the issues circling the Supreme Court?"

I was suddenly struck by my question, realizing that I myself have not done anything yet to contribute to national reform. Perhaps I could've alibied and cooed myself by saying that I am still young to take part in molding a better Philippines, but Ms. Vitug and some other unsung, unnoted journalist inspired me to do what I can do.

Like any journalist, writing is all that I can do (so far). I do not have power over famous politicians, nor can I run an entire army or troop or rule over a national bureau or department; all I can do so far is to use the might of the pen to open the eyes of the mass in what could've been a better Philippines minus the graft and a corrupt system.

I admit that I am no less than an amateur writer, with skills that are far from par with those of the life-staking journalists our country has. I am not even taking up Journalism as a course, but I feel the need of sharing what little I have and I can do for our motherland.

Sparing some time to read and write might greatly affect my academics (a hyperbole to some, but a truth to me and my comrades), but to read and write for my country is more than any honor that I could take.

To the writers, idealists and concerned citizens of my generation, let us kindle the flame of hope for our country.

Mabuhay and Pilipinas