Doing our part

For the past weeks I've been thinking of ways to serve my country especially during these hard times.

I know that bringing in dollars is already doing a small part, but of course that is for selfish reasons. It's also one reason I'm finding myself trying to be active in an organization based here. Our goal for the near future is to sponsor one scholar in our alma mater. I guess that's one good step.

I was emailed this excerpt and I think it's a nice piece for all of us who may want to help in our own small way. It is a nice checklist for all of us.

(NOTE: I don't know anythign about copyright and all, so I hope stating the source is good enough. Pardon me if it isn't the proper way.)

SOMETHING FOR EVERY FILIPINO...THERE'S a booklet making the rounds in Metro Manila that every Filipinowho loves his country should get hold of and read, and hopefully put thepoints it raises into practice, in order to help our nation..."Twelve (12) Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country," by Alexander Ledesma Lacson, may be a "voice in the wilderness"; but as Fr.Rub en Tanseco, S.J. puts it, what Alex proposes are "very concrete,practical and doable" actions for us ordinary Filipinos.

1. Follow traffic rules. -- Why is that the most important? The answer is simple. Traffic rules are the simplest of our laws. If we learn to followthem, it will be the lowest form of national discipline that we candevelop. Since it is totally without monetary cost, it should be easy forus to comply with, and therefore should provide a good start.

2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an officialreceipt. -- If a seller does not issue an official receipt when you buy aproduct, the seller may or may not remit the tax to the government.Without an O.R., there is no record of the sale transaction, and the taxthat you paid may not be remitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

3. Do not buy smuggled goods. Buy local, buy Filipino. -- It may not begood economics to buy 100 percent local products. What I suggest is forus to take a "50-50" buying attitude. This means that we must develop theattitude of using 50 percent of our budget for local products and theother 50 percent for imported choices.

4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners,speak positively of ourrace and our country. -- this is best addressedto the rich and the middleclass in our country, who have contact with the outside world. It is theywho talk to, dine or deal with foreigners either here or abroad. It iswhat they say and do which creates impressions about us among foreigners.

5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman, soldier and other publicservants. -- There is nothing like the power of respect. It makes aperson proud. It makes one feel honorable. At the same time, courtesyto others is good manners. It is class and elegance and kindness. It isseeing the value and dignity in the other man. It is, in fact, a mark of amost profound education.

6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle.Conserve. -- As Louis Armstrong says in his song: "I see trees of green,red roses, too, I see them bloom for me and you and I think to myself,what a wonderful world."

7. Support your church. (or charitable/ civic organizations -- :-)

8. During elections, do your solemn duty. -- Honesty, more than amasteral or doctorate degree, is what gives credibility. And credibilityis essential because it is a leader's link to the people. It is whatmakes the people look to one direction,follow a common vision, and performa uniform act. In short,credibility is what makes people follow theleader.

9. Pay your employees well. -- No exercise is better for the human heartthan to reach down and lift someone else up. This truly defines asuccessful life. For success is the sum, not of our earthly possessions,but of how many times we have shown love and kindness to others.

10. Pay your taxes. -- In 2003, P83 billion was collected from individualincome taxes. But 91 percent of this amount came from salaried workersfrom the government and private sector, people who had no choice sincetheir income taxes were withheld mandatorily. Only P7billion of the P83billion came from businessmen and professionals like doctors, lawyers,accountants and architects, among others.

11. Adopt a scholar or adopt a poor child. -- You can make a difference inthe future of our country by making a difference in the world of children.

12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and to love ourcountry. -- Today's children will someday rule and lead this world. Butwhether they will be bad rulers or good leaders will depend largely on howwe raise them today. Our future is in the hearts and minds of ourchildren.