Allow me to convey how proud I am of my kababayan Billy Chan for his article “I love this country” (Opinion, 7/9/14).
I am proud of Billy because he is able to see what is good and beautiful with our country despite the growing cynicism and distrust of our people with our leaders and institutions, our perennial self-bashing and the seeming lack of confidence in the capacity of each one of us to do something good for our country.
I am proud of Billy because he gives us reason to be happy and grateful for what we have in our country amid the misery and gloom brought by the daily negative news, even as we complain and whine about the situation we are in and yet do nothing to improve ourselves, our community and our country.
I am proud of Billy because his optimism and idealism can be infectious and I can just imagine how beautiful the Philippines will be if there are a million Billys or even just a thousand Dr. Billys.
I am proud of Billy because he is the embodiment of what the Filipino youth should be as envisioned by our heroes. And yes, I am proud of Billy because he is a Bicolano.
—REP. RODEL M. BATOCABE,
Ako Bicol party list