Andre Pristine G.

Lim History 1
BSN 2 block B 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
09/30/2021 Mr. Rodel Baldado

We’re in a desert out of water, we’re seeing things.

Peace is a mere mirage. Statistically speaking, in last year’s Global Peace Index the
Philippines ranked 129 out of 163 countries. If only everyone would treat peace the way they
treat foreigners in our country, with kindness, consideration, and hospitality. I had vague ideas
on what to write on this essay, so I resorted to asking opinions of other people on what they think
about the status of peace in the Philippines. A lot of times they say, “The country is peaceful.”
“It’s well protected, everyone has freedom.” But is it really all there is to it? Just because
underwater is peaceful doesn’t mean there’s no waves and storms on the surface of the ocean.
Like the state of the Philippines, just because a lot of people come and go here, admiring
landscapes and attractions, enjoying festivals and food, being treated well by strangers doesn’t
mean that we’re peaceful. It’s a mirage. Just a mask to cover up the conflicts that the country is
currently battling.

The slogan, “It’s more fun in the Philippines” only applies if you’re not from the
Philippines. Killings, kidnappings, corruption, are just a few problematic issues currently faced
by the Philippines. Discrimination, crab mentality, victim-blaming, land robbing… you won’t
see it unless if you’ve experienced it yourself. Personally, I believe Philippines is the country
most populated with people of the LGBTQ yet, does that fact ever stop people from
discriminating and coming up with slurs as meant for insult towards that group? No. Have you
ever seen a country with such strong faith but are hypocrites about it? You think clowns are
found in the circus? There’s a whole carnival happening in the cabinet. Manipulation, abuse,
problems galore. All covered up by blind eyes, deaf ears, and mute mouths.

They’d argue saying, “we’ve come a long way to reach this level of peacefulness”. The
people in our history books would be disappointed. All their hard work and dedication toward
bringing freedom and peace to this country, elevating this country’s status had gone to waste
Andre Pristine G. Lim History 1
BSN 2 block B 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
09/30/2021 Mr. Rodel Baldado
because of their own descendants. We did come a long way to achieve this state however, from
the actions that this generation of leaders has acted out, it’s just a short walk back to square one.

Status of peace in the Philippines. Doesn’t really ring a bell. Like freedom, peace is also a
privilege. Freedom is a privilege to those who are rich, peace is a privilege of those who have
good leaders. Clearly, we’re somewhat lacking in that sense. I remembered watching a video
earlier this week saying the first ones to help govern and manage this country were those with
qualifications. Businessmen, lawyers, doctors, and more. No wonder our country was elevated.
People did what they were responsible of doing: managing the country. I guess the current
leaders weren’t informed of this as they sat on the seat and called it a day, leaving everyone who
put them on that seat hanging. This is why democracy was made by stupid people for stupid
people, a lot of philosophers has expressed this statement, so I rest my case.

References
Lim, A. (2021, September 30). Status of Peace in the Philippines. (A. Lim, Interviewer)

Vision of Humanity. (n.d.). A Spotlight on Positive Peace in the Philippines in 2020. Retrieved from Vision
of Humanity: https://www.visionofhumanity.org/positive-peace-surplus-in-the-philippines/