conversation 101

i just read franco's blog... he summarizes our conversation at a dinner in kfc (after our PHLO 174 class). this is actually an extension and a reaction, as well, of and to his point of view regarding the topics that were discussed in our conversation (& i call that particular conversation, conversation 101).

that night, we became politicians (in its truest sense). to be a politician does not always mean to have a position in office, one is a politician because he participates well in his society, and participating implies knowing and understanding the present situation of the society while stating what's "ought" to be the case... and i think that's what we did. we stated our sentiments... our views regarding the present issues and problems this country is facing. we also stated what we want for this country... we stated the ideal (in contrast with the real). the "is" is compared with the "ought". well so much with that... reality tells us that having a doctorate in philosophy is (seemingly) subordinate with having a degree in law. well, in a third world country such as Philippines, people would tend to look for the direct utility, and such could not be found in having a doctorate in philosophy. masses look for practicality. come to think of it, how much money would you get with such doctorate degree? Unless you own a business or you govern a university, you'll earn much money (i think). but if not, well... you'll really earn much money with a degree in law. but why should this be the case? why should people base the value and usefulness of something with the money that we get from it? the truth is, having a degree in philosophy is not subordinate with having a degree in law, nor having a degree in law is subordinate with having a degree in philosophy... it is the mediocre that is subordinate from the excellent (and you cannot see that mediocrity with just looking at the degree the person has earned, you could see that with looking at the whole of him).

it is very sad to think that people do not see the value of philosophy. it is further sad to think that people lose hope; that there's no sense of thinking with the ideal because reality is far from it. it is sad to think that there are people that deprive us of hoping for a bright future... for they are taking the future of this county as only their future, & not our future... sometimes, i think that i am unlucky of being a filipino... that the philippines is not worth dying for. but that should not be the case. why lose hope?... i am still here. kc, florence, franco and i are still here for this country (& i realized that in our conversation 101). young as we are, we believe that we can make a difference... ANG KABATAAN AY DI LAMANG PAG-ASA NG BAYAN. DAPAT, NGAYON PA LANG, ANG KABATAAN AY MAAASAHAN NA.