Cheers to Independence!

What does it mean to be independent? I find that my definition of independence changes every decade.

When I was 10 , I learned to go to school and go back home on my own. I mastered crossing the street, and taking the jeepney. I could find my way home even without the school bus. In fact, I often tell the school bus driver to go ahead without me, because I had stuff to do after school, like hang-around at the library, or the Burger Machine at the corner, or my best friends house that’s a block away from school.  Independence meant having those options. Technically I can go anywhere, of course I was still not allowed to go anywhere, but at least now I did not have to wait for anybody to pick me up from school and if I ever get lost, I would know my way back home. It was, at the time, the meaning of Independence.

When I was 20, I got my first job as a copywriter in a small start-up PR firm. I remember the day I got my first paycheck. It was literally money in a brown envelope. I wasn’t much, but it was exhilarating to feel that I was now capable of earning money for myself. That first pay check bought me freedom. I did not have to wait for my parents to give allowance, I did not have to wait for them to buy me a new pair of shoes, and even though I was still living in their house and by their rules which meant that I was still partly dependent on them, at least now, I didn’t have to ask them for money whenever I want something or need to go somewhere. It was at the time, the meaning of independence.

Now that I’m in my 30s, I realize meaning of Independence has gone beyond simply providing for myself, or even taking care of myself.  Not only was I capable of buying stuff that I want or travelling on my own, not only was I free to make my own decisions, but I was also now capable of sticking to my own decisions, whatever the consequences of those are.

Being single and in my 30s, independence meant having the courage to be on your own,  dealing with whatever life brings and making the most of everyday. It can be this grand idea of being in control of my own destiny, but sometimes it can also be very simple, like being able to sit and enjoy a meal on my own without looking around and feeling left out.  

At this point I would say real independence is being free from other people’s expectations, and working instead to meet the expectations that I have set for myself.  So I guess that’s what Independence is for me , for now. 

Ask me again when I’m 40.  

Choose Philippines

I was lucky enough to come home twice this year. On my most recent trip I decided to take a chance to fly with a low-cost Philippine carrier Cebu Pacific where I paid half of the usual fare of the other alternative for a direct flight.  I'm used to travelling on a budget so I don't mind the fuzz free deal, and the lack of leg room is not a much of a problem for petite girls like me. 

I had a great book (A Thousand Splendid Suns) to keep me entertained, and when I wasn't reading I was sleeping. Over all it was a smooth ride, but what struck me the most was the flight back to Dubai. I was seated near the cockpit, and I thought I saw a glimpse of a woman on the control boards, and when the Flight announcement came on I got the confirmation, a woman's voice came on. The captain was Filipina, her name was Mayra Florencio and here I was reading about the abused women in Afghanistan. At that moment I just felt so grateful and blessed to have grown up in a country where Filipinas can choose to be a Pilot if she can and wanted to.

Elated, I shared the story with pinoy friends, a lot of them are surprised, many of them are dubious about taking a Philippine carrier and surprisingly having a woman pilot. I can't blame them. Years of sub-par standards have plagued the Philippines, and no one I know has really flown with a female pilot, filipino or  otherwise, but as they say – “if you never try then you will never know.”  The irony is despite our so-called "Pinoy Pride" A lot of us who have left the country are stuck in this belief system of a hopeless Philippines. 

Going around Manila in 2014 I saw usual problems of traffic jams and poverty but there was also a lot of construction going on, mostly prime condominiums, shopping mall extensions, a lot of new restaurants, and a lot more foreign expats working in the city. Things looked positive. Above all, I flew to Dubai on a low-cost Philippine carrier with a Filipina pilot. I think that alone is PROGRESS.


Dubai may have their high-rise buildings and everything money can buy, but I still think the Filipinos, our people, are leagues ahead, If only we learn to give ourselves credit, if only we can be free of this old "colonial" mentality that everything else from “abroad” is better.

The real revolution begins in the mind, we should break free of the old chains and believe that the Philippines can soar to greatness if we wanted to.

Let’s choose Philippines. Happy Independence Day!