Bayanihan: Going Beyond Participatory Communication

I was able to experience and be a spectator of a house being carried by more than a dozen men from one place to another when I was a kid. I said to myself that this is really only in the Philippines when people engage in such activities - in unity to achieve a goal. True to its form and meaning, people in unity and in complete participation can definitely be able to work out and arrive at a goal. Until this date, we Filipinos, inherent in our character can definitely be able to achieve the long dreamed goal of progress if we all unite.

                      "We have that inherent bayanihan spirit in us.."

Participatory communication for development is such an ideal means to achieve development. We do not need to completely wait and rely on what will be given to us in order to act upon every problem and generate a solution. We have that inherent bayanihan spirit in us that should have been waking us up in deep slumber. A barangay can always unite and form a community organisation that can formulate plans to help the Barangay council in preventing the spread of dengue. Or perhaps, women in the town can become avid advocates of the importance of breast feeding to lactating mothers in their town. 

We can always improve our lives by becoming a participating/active citizen rather than becoming passive and wait and cry foul over some politician whose term ended by doing nothing to make your vote worthwhile. Why not engage in community communication, generate a local newspaper where everyone can contribute as to their techniques or best practices in farming? Maybe bystanders, yaya's or mothers who are waiting outside a Day Care Centre waiting for their children to come out can engage in educational communication and talk about means and ways to earn from the used plastics, bottles, cans and other recyclable materials from their respective households. 

Achieving our goals starts from small beginnings. To transfer a house from one place to another requires one to take small steps, a strong arm, a steady and focused mind and a strong passion that after such struggle, the goal will be reached - if only everyone unites and participates.

Photocredit: http://www.entrepinoympc.com/images/bayanihan.jpg

Of Social Change, Social Problems and Development

This week, we had a healthy discussion on how change, problems and development relate to one another. We have explored how these 3 concepts have woven the society albeit to its abyss of doom or to a sunshine of hope. These concepts are so vulnerable in each society that without these, a society will be stagnant, will be staple, will be static.


Change - we should never resist change. This is a part of life. But remember, change should be something for the better and not for the worse. This should be a more sensible thought rather espouse for a change that can destroy what the previous generations toiled in order to achieve the present. 


                         "change should be something for the better and not for the worse"

Problems - are always there. It is a test on how steadfast we are with our beliefs, with our life principles. If we have a strong grip on what we believe is right or wrong, then problems will be simple to solve. A problem will always have a solution. Solutions may not be right under our nose every time, but still, all it takes is an open mind and heart to acknowledge, understand problem and eventually arrive at a workable solution.


Development - this forms part on how we justify our existence. Remember, we are here on earth because we strive to achieve development. But, it should not just be a mediocre development but something that can withstand time and become a legacy to future generations. But, development will never be achieved if we will all be denying our past, lazy with present and complacent with our future. Development does not happen overnight. It takes a conscious cooperative effort to achieve such.



Photo credit:

http://www.westwaytraining.co.uk/USERIMAGES/teammgt.jpg