Oral Communication Blog: Oratorical Piece on Unity Towards Progress

Painting taken from www.themixedculture.com

A JOB FOR EVERY JUAN

Original Composition by: 

Randello M. Braga

Facing this crowd of great multitude reminds me of the naïve stories of the broomstick and our very own fingers. The former predisposes the idea that a work is easily done when there are several people bonded together for a common goal or purpose would commit and dedicate himself for the good of all. On the other hand, the latter similarly injects the significance of interdependence, that is simply telling us that I cannot do it alone, neither could you make it on your own; nor the person sitting next to you can help build a strong Filipino Nation. We are individually unique in our own way and each one of us has a very special role to play if we aim for progress and development of this country.  

           

Pondering on these thoughts puts a smile on my face and at the same time breaks my heart. This paradox paints the idea of what is ideal from what is real. Does it appear seemingly crystal clear to you that despite our strength and resilience in facing numerous calamities and disasters in the past, there is still a missing piece? That without it, we and the world can never tell if we really are a strong nation? It is because of the fact that this dream has become slippery, evasive and elusive by nature, since time immemorial. Would you help me guess my friends, ladies, and gentlemen? It is spelled P – E – A – C - E. A long, genuine and lasting peace.  Notwithstanding the proclamation of Martial Law in Mindanao brought about by acts of violence and terrorism of the Maute group in Marawi City, every Juan is still fighting for the common cause of surviving -  needless to say -  this unfair and cruel world!. A few foreign critics, however, would just raise their eyebrows and shrug their shoulders, leaving an indistinct comment that even if we Filipinos bury our heads together with our calloused hands in blood and mud, history can never omit or erase our stained culture on racial laziness or indolence.

      If I may clarify ladies and gentlemen, for purposes of equality and impartiality, had we not suffered much torment and discrimination since the Japanese occupation and the  American invasion? Will part of our culture be a major issue or the main criterion in the determination of who’s the better nation? Will raping our women and defiling the daughters of this nation be done once more to prove that we are worth a lift of their fingers? Is this the kind of cooperation that they want? I think the ordinary Filipino will say NO. Every Juan will never, ever tolerate history to repeat itself. The damage had been done but it doesn’t mean to say that we allow other races to once again add insult to injury. We may be bleeding inside, gasping for breath and awfully disturbed of what had transpired long ago; but, we still held our heads high and like a victorious athlete, raise the Filipino banner with a smile.

           

Our salute to the eighth division world boxing champion Sen. Emmanuel ”Manny” Pacquiao, who in one way or another, placed the Filipino pride on the global perspective by his powerful fists. Likewise to our small but terrible weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who also conquered her failures and fears by carrying both worlds in an iron bar. We must not also forget our PBA Gilas Pilipinas Basketball Team who shed tears and sweat in bringing glory and honor to us Filipinos in the international hard court.

           

These are just a few of our concrete evidence that the Filipinos can and will compete in any manner possible. It’s never an issue of color, religion, sex or nationality but on how we level the playing field with camaraderie and sportsmanship.  Setting aside our differences, ladies and gentlemen and members of the jury will truly attain peace in many ways. We must think of everyone as a brother or a sister so that every time we are in the midst of a crisis, we may protect each other like a family or a neighbor. Likewise, we also must tame our tongue, for words that it utter, could either kill or hurt. Nevertheless, we should as well think before we do something and ask ourselves if it will build walls or bridges.

           

This is a job for every Juan. No one is indispensable. We commit mistakes. Let our mistakes be a thing of the past and an opportunity for us to turn threats into opportunities so that everybody could benefit from it.

           

Allow me to quote Santayana who said that if we would turn our back from the past, we are deemed to repeat it. My friends, ladies and gentlemen, time is of the essence. Your cooperation is badly needed. There is an urgent call for us to hold our hands together to fight poverty and discrimination. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte once said in his State of the Nation Address: “ If we cannot love each other, then let us not hate each other so much.” It clearly tells us that we can settle our differences in many ways. Even when we compete with one another in different aspects or perspectives, we could be fair and just with our very own actions. Now, tell me, is it that burdensome for you to feed a hungry beggar once in a while? Would it cost you a fortune if you give a homeless child a dime for a few drops of water in his mouth?    

           

 These are just a few of the questions I will leave to you before I end this lengthy speech, ladies and gentlemen and members of the panel of judges. The message is we cannot truly be called a strong nation if we are selfish even to our fellow Filipinos. Let us not go against each other; instead, let us unite and build this nation.

           

THANK YOU AND MABUHAY!