Independence of all sorts 

By Johanne Macob
 
 


 

INDEPENDENCE is the state or quality of being independent, having freedom from the influence and control of others. That’s how the dictionary defines it but to delve deeper into real-life occurrences, what exactly does independence mean?

115 years ago, the nation was conferred with what they dubbed as its ‘independence’. As history provides, on June 12, 1898, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo led the declaration of Philippine Independence from Spanish colonial rule. Meanwhile, a few days ago, the province had its observance of the same event with emphasis on equating independence with freedom from poverty. Indeed, the Philippines got its independence and Pangasinan is undoubtedly doing well in dropping the poverty incidence rate.

Deducing the principle of independence brought my thinking to that of individual independence as well. Many times, if not all the seconds that make up our life, we do like to be independent. We wish for self-reliance and denounce control by some entities over us. Here are some good examples: For one, people end relationships that make them feel ‘unfree’ of some sorts. Others resign from their jobs that suppress them in ways that they find unreasonable. People leave in order to – so to say – breathe.

Nonetheless, independence isn’t only about getting freedom and that’s it. I believe it’s actually more of a process.

For the whole of the country, independence should go beyond observing June 12th annually with matching flags hung in different spots. Getting the freedom from rulers in 1898 was the first step, maintaining it seems to be the last. But of course, there are a lot in between those two big steps and that concerns the doings of the people to ensure that their freedom is significant. On one hand, with Pangasinan’s focus on freeing people from poverty, the idea works with getting good records and second, making better records.

Well the same thing goes with individual independence, it’s still a two-step procedure. Getting out of one position marks the first while making sure of being in a better situation concludes the process.

I think completing the two steps is necessary. Otherwise, that’s not independence, not yet.

The thing is, true liberation isn’t exactly about no one or nothing having control over you, it is more about you having a good control of yourself so as not to make others tell you what to do. With regard to the country, to the province, or with you, that’s real independence, I believe.

Happy Independence, independent people!

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