‘What am I doing about it?’

After reading Angeli Diamante’s piece, “I hate this country” (Opinion, 6/26/14), my first impulse was to write in response, reassuring her that I understand her frustration and share with her some thoughts. But the impulse was not acted upon … until today (July 8), after I read two letters reacting to her article—one from lawyer and former senator Rene Saguisag, the other from Billy Chan, a medical student. Thank you guys for reacting. Diamante’s letter  should not go unanswered. So here is mine:

Dear Angeli, being angry at a situation, denouncing it and recognizing it as

unfair—that is ok. It helps to let go of pent-up anger that poisons the self if

allowed to fester inside. But please, don’t stop there. After the energy spent on anger, ask yourself, “What am I doing about it?” “Life has to be lived for something, not just against something” (Martin Gray). I salute Chan’s reaction, “I love this country.” Youth speaks to youth. You will probably pay more attention to him than to what I say to you.

Like Saguisag, I am much older than you are. What we say are the results of a full life, which age brings about. Good experiences put things in perspective. For every yin there is a yang. Despite the frustrations, in the final analysis, the values of our country, nurtured through family life and love of God, are still there: respect, courage and honor.

—DETTE PASCUAL,

Dalipuga, Iligan City