Res Gestae
By Francisco B. Lindero, Jr.

Counting the blessings

Positive thinking is one thing that makes us – Filipinos – survive the fierce tempests buffeting the country today! We are like gold being tested with fire – fire of economic, political, social and moral degeneration. While these conditions have somehow resulted to the so-called “brain drain” phenomenon, optimistic and determined Filipinos remain steadfast and make the best for the country. Many of us still believe that our country can ace the odds in due time. We believe that this is the time not to ask what our country can do for us, but what can we – individually and collectively – do for our country! And this assures us that our Philippines is not yet a hopeless case.

Positive thinking comes from our ability to transcend the growing predicaments in life and rise beyond our limits. It is defying our cowardice. It’s facing our fears and living our dreams! Is it not what the talent search Star Circle Quest tagline  “Dream…Believe…Survive” telling us?

The easiest way to survive amid the myriad of crises in our country today is not leaving in a jet plane; counting the blessings that we received can do us a lot better. We have countless of fortunes to cherish compare to the seemingly insurmountable troubles to worry about. It is not an avoidance of reality; it’s rather shifting our focus from the dark realm to the bright area of reality. Let me enumerate some reasons – most recent ones - that we Filipinos can raise our heads with pride and confidence despite the tantrums that Congress has given us:

1) At Staples, Los Angeles, Manny Pacquiao stopped Mexican Hector Velasquez by technical knockout in the sixth round of a scheduled 12-round super featherweight bout; Fil-American Brian Villora, raised in Haiwaii by Ilocano parents, captured the World Boxing Council light flyweight crown with a sensational first-round knockout of defending champion Eric Ortiz of Mexico; and, 19-year-old Boholano Rey “Boom Boom” Baustista, the reigning World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion, has more than lived up to his growing expectation as the next Pacquiao by knocking out Columbian Felix Flores Murillo in one minute and 12 seconds of the third round of their eight-round encounter.

2) About 116 Filipino artists were recruited by Hongkong Disneyland. During its opening, Lea Salonga and Jinky Llamanzares performed on stage, while local theater stalwart Bobby Garcia worked backstage as “Director of Shows” at the theme park;

3) In Portland, Oregon, a new US reality show produced by “Fox” – “So You Think You Can Dance?”, a dance version of “American Idol”, among the 16 finalists (8 pairs) picked after the nationwide auditions were two Filipinos, - break dancer Ryan Confredo and jazz dancer Melody Lacayanga.

4) Our very own Princess Lara Quigaman was crowned Miss International 2005, coming out first among contestants from 52 countries and regions in the beauty pageant held in Tokyo.

5) The super talented Jed Madela and Rizza Navales won 11 gold medals, one silver medal, three Champion of the World plaques and a trophy for the grand champion. For the first time in the 11-year history of the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA), a magnificent sweep of awards was achieved by just one nation, the Philippines! The World Championships of Performing Arts is considered the official talent Olympics, staged annually in Hollywood, California.

The list will be unending. There is Alex Pagulayan, a World Pool Champion…the UP Ambassador Choir that received a standing ovation from the audience in one of the competitions they had in Europe…President Arroyo in the United Nations Security Council…etc…etc..

Everyday, many beautiful things are happening in our life as a nation. Even in our personal life, great things are happening…and they are countless! We are just too unmindful of them though. And, if we would only open our eyes and start counting them, we would realize that this country is still the most beautiful place in this planet to live in.

Think positive. Think Philippines. Think Filipino!

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