They Are Strong And Independent

June 13, 2021

This is in connection to Philippines Independence Day.

Independence Day is a national holiday in the Philippines held annually every 12th of June in commemoration of the declaration of the Philippines's inherent and sacred right to freedom and independence from Spain in the year 1898. Through the valor and heroic sacrifices of our country's leaders, the Philippines has been freed and earned peace and justice. And if you are curious about the sun that glistens in the center of our national flag, it symbolizes "freedom."

Filipinos are known to be brave and resilient and can and willing to face any challenges and battles that come in their life. Even General Douglas MacArthur once said:

"Give me 10,000 Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world.”

It's a famous line of General MacArthur as he was astonished by the bravery, strength, and resilience of the Filipino forces during World War II against the Japanese. The history of the Philippines can tell the extraordinary vigor and valor of the Filipinos in the toughest circumstances. Perhaps, the poverty and tough life situations give Filipinos the strength to handle any circumstances, such as catastrophe and pervasive global pandemic outbreaks.

And so many reasons why we can tell:

" We are proud to be Pinoy!"

Strong And Independent

We all exercise perseverance and bravery in life as these two are important factors to survive in this perilous realm. Not all are born with a silver spoon on their table, and not all are blessed with a happy and complete family. But despite all of these unfortunate circumstances, we continue and execute more hard work and perseverance to withstand the battles of life.

But there are people I admire more, as they are strong and independent. They can able to conquer the world alone, bear the pain alone, suffer the negative consequences alone, and manage their families alone, and can get the courage to continue living independently.

Who are they?

Independent and Empowered Mothers

Mothers becoming more independent and empowered. Although many rely on their husbands' financial support, but they have raised their kids by themselves when their husbands are away to work. I witnessed how my mother became strong and independent every time my father was away. My father seldom visited our home as he was always assigned to duty in different areas, only visited home during his holiday breaks, about two to four times a year, and lucky are we if he visited us on Christmas day.

And believe me or not, we are more than a dozen siblings, more than a dozen naughty children. A normal mother, perhaps, can't manage to raise them all by herself and will surely explode her mind from scolding and chasing naughty kids while managing the chores at home. That's why I admire my mother the most because nobody can do what she did. And being raised with a strong and independent mother has shaped me into what I am today because she taught me how to become strong and independent as well, and how to become responsible at a young age.

Not only my mother but all the mothers out there. They sacrificed their happiness just to give us happiness. They offered their own plate just to give us food to eat. They risk their own lives just for us to see the world. The sleepless nights and restless days, the days and nights being alone, the storms that have passed without their husbands by their side, the sacrifices and the challenges of being a mother, those things made them strong and independent women.

Single Parents

Single parents are truly courageous. They are put into many situations but that made them strong and independent persons. It may be the hardest job in the world, to raise their kids alone and strive for their lives alone. It's hard to imagine how they handle different tasks by themselves - bath their kids, prepare their food, manage the house chores, and work to support their families financially.

Lucky are those with support from their family or those living with their family while raising their kids. But how about those who don't have support from their families because they have been disgraced and thrown out from their homes for having premarital pregnancy? And others have been abandoned by their irresponsible wives? Isn't it worst? I will rather be single forever than suffer this unfortunate life.

Being both a mother and a father to their children needs a degree of nurturing oneself and self-care because the future of their children is dependent on them. But many have survived for the sake of their dreams of seeing their children having a good life when they grow up. And for their dream to give their kids a life that they never had, a life that they never want their children to have. Life is so challenging, but they remain strong to fight for their lives, they are truly strong and independent.

Young Family Bread Winners

Are you a primary earner in your family?

Self-respecting women are said to find their husbands with enough money to save them from destitution. While men are said to work hard to give better lives to their future families. Unfortunately, not all are lucky enough to follow the paths. Because they are being tied in the four corners of their homes and carrying the burdens of responsibilities that are not supposed to be theirs, to be ours. And I am a breadwinner myself.

Being a breadwinner is one of the most empowering things a woman or man can be and sacrificing their own happiness just to provide for the needs of their families is something to be proud of. While others are enjoying their youths, many breadwinners can't even finish their studies just to help their parents to support their families financially. Some kids work at a young age just to feed their starving stomachs because their parents are not responsible enough to perform their tasks as heads of the families.

I am a breadwinner for more than a decade and I have experienced how hard it is to be one. I may not be obliged to become one, but a responsible child will do the right thing even without favor from their parents. And just like me, many breadwinners sacrifice their own happiness just to support their families. They sacrifice their own dreams just to support the dreams of their siblings. They sacrifice their supposed to be future to give their families a brighter future.

So to all breadwinners out there, I admire you, you are strong and independent, and a person to look up to.

Working Students

Many were born with no silver spoon on their plates, but for students full of dreams and ambitions, they are willing to face the challenges and consequences in their journey to reach the goal they wanted to obtain. Nowadays, being a working student is a norm. I can call myself lucky for not experiencing working while studying, but I know and I witnessed how tough the life of a working student.

Working students start their day as early as possible and end their day tired and exhausted. Some even feel that their devoted hours aren't enough and balancing works and studies is not an easy job that all can perform. They prefer not joining the enticing and fun events at school as they choose to work overtime. And you know what's the toughest part of their lives? The frustrating pile of school works and the bulk of bills to be settled before the due dates.

Just imagine how difficult it is to study for exams while performing their tasks at work. They suffer from sleep deprivation and only a few hours left for themselves. Some even suffered other health complications but they still continue managing both school and work because they need to finish school errands and provide food on their tables. Life is too hard, but theirs are harder.

The saying "live life to the fullest" is not in their vocabularies as they live their lives juggling school and work, so the spare time they have are spend resting rather than enjoying their bloom of youth with their friends. So if you are a student will full support from your parents, be blessed and lucky.

To all working students out there, life might be hard for you today, but just continue to persevere, because in the future, you will harvest the fruit of your labor, and it will be so worth it. You are outstanding, incredible, an inspiration, a strong and independent person. So cheer up because life must go on.

Blessed are those who live in the comfort of their lives, but what more admirable are those struggling for their lives and not relying on anyone and anything but still able to survive and continue their journey in life.

We all have different stories and characters, but not all can be strong and independent.

So what's your story to tell and who are strong and independent for you? Don't hesitate to share below.

Thanks for your time.

Belated Happy Independence Day Philippines 😁

Lead image source from: https://www.mcgilltribune.com/tag/working-students/