I’ve read the speech called “The Filipino Spirit is Rising” by Mr. Antonio Meloto of Gawad Kalinga addressing the graduates of ADDU for several times and I was captured by his words.
Here’s part of the transcript and get uplifted by the message.
“Who can stop us from claiming our Promised Land? Our enemies are not the corrupt politicians, the greedy rich, the lazy poor, the religious hypocrites and other convenient scapegoats. Our enemies are not out there anymore. Our enemies are now within us.”
“We have compromised our values and tolerated corruption. We have lowered our standard and tolerated poverty. We have sacrificed the truth for hypocrisy. We have chosen convenience for vision, popularity for leadership…and have chosen despair over hope.”
“Do we fight or do we run? Is there a King Leonides among you who will fight for honor and freedom? Are there 300 Spartans among you who will confront our enemies with extraordinary courage and love? Can you be the army who will lead our people to victory following the path of peace? Are you the generation of patriots who can shout to the world that no Filipino will remain poor because you will not allow it; that no Filipino will remain a squatter because you will not allow it; that no politician will remain corrupt because you will not allow it?”
“Together, we can build a great nation, first world in the eyes of God and respected by other great nations.”
