CNN Anchor Andrew Cooper:

“Time to get to know the hardy Filipino people...unbelievably resilient, long-suffering, good-natured, uber friendly, loyal, ingenious, and a bunch of survivors.”

These may be stated a year ago yet their testimonialsimprinted to the worldatrait which many believe defined the Filipino character.YOLANDA wrought havoc to the Visayas Provinceslast 8th of November 2013and in its wake left a death toll of over 6,000 people. Only months later did the world country and the world learn the macabre statistics: a thousand missing; 24,000injured; 4 million displaced andabout a total of 16 million Filipinos affected.Furthermore, thiswas only among the severe catastrophes experienced by Filipinos that year. Recently reported was the Bohol Earthquake and Zamboanga conflict.

***

This blog today is not for the purpose of bringing back the grim realities of the past. As in truth, the world may see in our people the resiliency to survive tragedy, that very same trait however, propels us to accept pain and suffering beyond which, as a people, we should not tolerate.

Moreover, the resiliency described above is only an effect of something that has long been experienced, tormented and suffered by the Filipinos.

What am I referring to?

I am pertaining to the defective system of governance which has long been the experience of our people for decades. Perhaps we have been inured even desensitized by the constant exposure on our daily lives on news of corruption, impunity, slow justice system, poverty and inequality. Nothing has really changed in the last 20 years!

Our resiliency is a trait worthy of praise as it manifests how strong we are as a Nation. However, the implications remain what with all the abusive practices instigated by our corrupt leaders. It is noteworthy to say that with the nearing 2016 elections, it must not be only our ‘resiliency’ that should define our country and our character as Filipinos. We need to go beyond that.

We cannot just remain resilient with all the corruptive practices in our government.

We cannot remain just resilient after experiencing a turmoil brought about by the incapacities of our institutions.

We cannot just be defined as “resilient” what with all the lack of inclusive economic growth that maintained the problems of poverty, unemployment, impunity and corruption.

This has been the purpose of Centrist Democrats. We are adherents of a set of principles that centers on Human Dignity. We hope to initiate a political conversation with Filipinos and an important key to a successful dialogue is to focus on the Filipino’s resiliency compounded – in fact tamed - by the values of Centrist Democracy.

Our purpose and direction is simply to be part of the power dynamics of this country so we can begin to reform the system which for so long condemned our masses to just cope – just survive – just be resilient.

We need principled leaders – Centrist Democrats - in power.

We all have this choice beginning from today.