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Good citizenship is a part of the maturity of the nation. All nations, which are developed and in a rapid pace of development, have citizens which are well-drilled and informed of their rights and duties of citizens and have a large

The concept of citizenship started in Ancient Greece, where people earn their rights in their polis, or city-state, by military service. This was expanded in France during the French Revolution, when service to the state was no longer exclusively military, but also civil.

However, the concept of citizenship in the Philippines is a corrupted definition. Filipinos always define citizenship as all-rights, but no-duty. We love to assert our rights, i.e. freedom of the speech, etc. but never do we take initiative to do what we must as citizens. Many underpay taxes, and the little that goes in to the treasury goes to other people’s pockets.

What is the reason for all this?

Simply put, people are idle just because they do not have incentive to work. “Man works for an object”, says Dr. Jose Rizal, “and take that object away, you reduce him to inaction.” People do not see the benefits of what they do for the country. Moreover, they do not see that rights were made to give the people the means to do their duties, and their duties were made so that the people can use fully their rights as citizens.

So this leads us to the question: How do we do it?

Revolution from below is not sufficient a term to describe it. A better term to use is “peaceful and scientific revolution of the masses.”

Peaceful, since we do not advocate a bloody revolution. Revolution, by definition, is a radical and quick change in society. Violence is not a part of the equation. Yes, we need to make a revolution, but peacefully. We must start anew as a nation, and make a government more representative of our ideals and aspirations, but not in a manner that would destroy everything. We must accommodate differing views and work to a compromise peacefully and in order.

This revolution must also be scientific and methodical. Science, and education in general, must not be excluded from the process. This will make everything systematic and efficient. We must not have personal biases in this revolution. We must separate the person, from what he does. We may criticize a person for what he does, but not for who he is.

Education is life’s greatest equalizer. This fact alone tells us that it jives with the general theme of revolution. Education fosters brotherhood and social interaction. Education too liberates the mind from the shackles of his physical needs and takes it to a level where man becomes critical, rational and responsible of his environment. Education, therefore is key to achieve liberty, equality, and fraternity; the pinnacles of a true revolution.

Revolution, ultimately, must come from the collective efforts of the masses. The masses, even if each one is but a small drop, become the sea when taken collectively. The masses are who the government must serve; they are the ones with whom the government has a social contract with. Thus, the masses give legitimacy to the government.

This does not necessarily mean, however, that the revolution aims only to overthrow the government. It will not be a revolution; it would simply be a coup. Revolutions change society. Society includes all, not just the government, but the citizens, most especially the masses. The revolution must make the government more representative of the people and the people more representative of all that is good. Transitively, the change in the attitudes and mentality of the people must go hand-in-hand with any change of government to make an improvement.

The people’s revolution is both a moral and an economic revolution. Economic, since we must seek to uplift the quality of life of all Filipinos, to free them from hunger and all the bad thoughts that come with it. Moral, since the people’s attitude and mentality must be changed to an improved one for them to contribute better to their society, thus also uplifting their quality of living.

The masses start the revolution. The revolution starts within the masses. We must first improve the masses to make them a force for progress.

We must make them GC. GC, or good citizens.

Good citizens are enlightened and educated. They have sound values and have integrity. These people must have a sense of social responsibility. These people have dreams to follow; they have aspirations and goals.

They must be informed and enlightened, so that they can fully enjoy their rights and meet their duties and also know what is best for them and their society. Their values must also be renewed, in order for them to think of the common good and to provide order in this chaotic situation. They must be responsible, so that they can stand up with integrity, against all forms of oppression and hardships.

Good citizens are the key to the nation’s progress. Good citizens are not limited to the heroes of our national pantheon. They are those who study to help alleviate their society’s shortcomings, they are those who work and pay taxes, they are those who feed the nation, they are those who invest to tap our nation’s vast resources, they are those who use their talents and abilities to beautify and culture the nation, they are those who risk life and limb to serve the citizens of the country; they are the true heroes who will save our country. They are the people we need. It’s now or never. Quo vadis, Filipinos. Let us be worthy heirs of our glorious past, and vanguards of a bright future.