My Filipino Dream

Simpleng buhay lang naman talaga ang hinahanap ko. Ayoko ng complicated. Ang gusto ko lang kasama ko pamilya ko, magkaroon ng sasakyan, ng sariling bahay, stable income, mapag-aral ang anak sa magandang paaralan, paminsan-minsan makapamasyal, mag-dine out, maglakad-lakad sa mall, sa park o sa beach, kumain ng tamang diet, at tumanda nang hindi nangangamba sa kinabukasan ng aming anak, sa sariling kapakanan at kalusugan.

Yan ang aking Filipino Dream. Opo meron palang tinatawag na Filipino dream. Actually first time kong nabasa ito sa blog ni TeacherSol. Ang alam ko lang dati yung American Dream -- tumira sa Tate, makapagtrabaho, umasenso at yumaman. In America, if you have the skills, guts and determination and with hardwork you can become rich, multi-millionaire pa kung gusto mo. The nice thing about the American dream is that everyone who dreams it has the chance to realize it.

Lately, nauuso na rin ang NZ dream. Marami sa atin mga kababayan ang nagnanais mag-migrate dito sa New Zealand. Hawig din ito sa American dream, ang nakikita ko lang na pagkakaiba yung salitang “yumaman”. Opo, this might come as a surprise to some, but becoming rich here in the Land of the Long White Cloud, although not impossible is more difficult compared to the USA. Hence I’ve never equated the NZ dream with becoming rich. Kasabihan nga namin mga Pinoy dito: “Sa NZ, hindi ka yayaman, pero hindi ka rin maghihirap.”

What NZ dream offers is modern living just like in America, comfortable, but not extravagant. A stress free, simple and more laid-back lifestyle. Uncomplicated. Para ka lang nagbabakasyon. Exactly, the way I described my Filipino dream above.

Masaya ako na malungkot.

Happy ako because the way things are progressing in my life, I’m close to seeing my dream to fulfillment. Ilang taon na lang, mortgage free na kami (sana nga). Three years, matatapos na sa secondary school ang anak namin. Then while waiting for retirement, I can dream of some luxuries, such as a house by the beach, or a boat maybe. It is a good feeling to dream. And an even better feeling to wake up knowing your dream is within your grasp.

Pero malungkot din ako. I’m saddened because I know people back home, close friends even, driven by despair and mounting difficuties in life have given up hope and stopped dreaming. They used to be dreamers like me, but slowly their Filipino dream evaporated to become just that, a dream, an impossible dream.

I want to scream at them and tell them not to lose hope. To do something rather than just blaming others or the country for lost opportunities. To tell them not to stop dreaming. A bright future, starts with a dream, a vision of tomorrow. Then one has to work on it...TODAY.