Pilipinas Kong Mahal?!

The Filipino word “mahal” is so rich in meaning. On the one hand, it may connote “love” – ranging from the personal level to the love for country – and on the other hand, it may also come to mean as “expensive.”

Despite the government’s claim to an improved economic status which is supported by the strong value of peso against the dollar, pleasant stock market transactions and the like, why is Juan dela Cruz still drowning in the sea of poverty? Why has his country, which he dearly loved and fought for all these years, have slowly pulled him down in the sinking ship? All kinds of goods and commodity prices are drastically rising up-from rice and sardines to petroleum gas and electricity.

With all of these fast-paced economic depressions happening around us, we, the Filipinos, have the right to be informed and be heard. We all crave for answers to these disappointing truths. Do most of us really feel the positive effects of the growing economy as claimed in the popular t.v. advertisement “Ramdam ko ang Pag-asenso”? What could be the truths behind this?

Yet, on the other side of the story, we Filipinos have never turned our backs from hoping. Amidst these seemingly unexplainable economic dilemmas, we see that things could always get better. Somehow, we will lift ourselves from this fall. Somewhere along the way, there is still a chance to save our beloved country from the economic crisis that we are all experiencing through our collective efforts.

So, this coming August 30, 2008 (Saturday) from 1:00pm to 5:30 pm, all is invited to come together hand in hand to a bi-annual National Situationer forum entitled KWENTONG BAYAN: “Pilipinas kong MAHAL?!” This forum will provide the people with an objective reading of the situation of our country in order to gain momentum to push for the needed socio, political, and economic reforms towards a genuine democracy.

Organized by Simbahang Lingkod Bayan, a socio-political non-partisan Church-based organization of the Society of Jesus, it will be held at the Cardinal Sin Center , Loyola School of Theology inside the Ateneo de Manila University Campus in Quezon City .

The presence of well-respected experts concerning the economic, social and political situation of our country namely former national security adviser Jose Almonte, and Professor Ernesto Pernia of the UP School of Economics along with Bishop Pablo David (still subject to confirmation) of San Fernando will be the instruments for the Filipinos to deeply understand the current context and morally work towards the common good amidst this national crisis.

This is an excellent opportunity for Juan dela Cruz to voice out his socially and spiritually inspired opinion to help improve his fellow citizens and his beloved country!

For further questions and reservations on this forum, feel free to contact Simbahang Lingkod Bayan through the following:

Landline: (02) 426-6101 locs 3440-3441
Email: slb@admu.edu.ph
Mobile: SUN-8600-SLB (0922-8600-752)

Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam.

Simbahang Lingkod Bayan

Reposted from the SLB Multiply site.