Our instructor said that for this week, our blog has to be developmental. So, I’m going to cease talking about the 2010 elections and how your vote can change the political milieu of this country.
Since we’re all geared up for the 2010 presidential elections, I thought of talking about two of the greatest world leaders and presidents of all time who I so deeply admire. A little recap on what they did, how they changed their countries (and eventually the world) and what their stances were just might help us, voters, get some sort of idea what an ideal president is.
Abraham Lincoln is the 16th president of the United States of America who successfully appeased a nation divided by internal crisis and racism. The American Civil War in the 1860’s was USA’s greatest debacle within itself – a war between the Northern and Southern States. Born very poor to two uneducated parents who lived only in a log cabin, Lincoln catapulted himself to the presidency and successfully ended the Civil War and black slavery – a legacy that has changed the world forever.
Nelson Mandela, more than his fame as a great leader, is also the most famous prisoner of all time. Having been imprisoned for 27 years because of his opposition to the racial segregation policy of the dominating party, Mandela led several anti-apartheid activities to overthrow the ruling Afrikaner-dominated National Party. With his skillful leadership and promising vision for equality and peace, he was elected South African president on 1994 and transformed the country’s government system to fully representative and democratic. He is a proven world leader, with more than 100 leadership awards including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Lincoln and Mandela are two great presidents who have done tangible and beneficial changes to their countries. We Filipinos, too, have our own Lincoln or Mandela. And that has to be Jose Rizal.
Even though Rizal never lived to become a president, there has to be a reason why he is our national hero. And true enough, there are plenty of them. He has fueled patriotism to a nation severely oppressed and devoid of freedom. He has mobilized a long-standing struggle for liberty. He has awakened the Filipino spirit. He is a martyr of Philippine revolution that paved the way for our independence.
It’s always inspirational how some people gain power and truly become catalysts for change. But these kind of people are rare nowadays. The chances of finding one are even slimmer here in the Philippines where corruption is really a culture. But who knows, a new Rizal might just emerge from this new breed of 2010 presidential aspirants we have been hearing about. Who knows, he might just be among them. It’s your duty to pick him out.
BY: RYAN LOUIE MADRID
Photo credit: http://googleimages.com
Since we’re all geared up for the 2010 presidential elections, I thought of talking about two of the greatest world leaders and presidents of all time who I so deeply admire. A little recap on what they did, how they changed their countries (and eventually the world) and what their stances were just might help us, voters, get some sort of idea what an ideal president is.
Abraham Lincoln is the 16th president of the United States of America who successfully appeased a nation divided by internal crisis and racism. The American Civil War in the 1860’s was USA’s greatest debacle within itself – a war between the Northern and Southern States. Born very poor to two uneducated parents who lived only in a log cabin, Lincoln catapulted himself to the presidency and successfully ended the Civil War and black slavery – a legacy that has changed the world forever.
Nelson Mandela, more than his fame as a great leader, is also the most famous prisoner of all time. Having been imprisoned for 27 years because of his opposition to the racial segregation policy of the dominating party, Mandela led several anti-apartheid activities to overthrow the ruling Afrikaner-dominated National Party. With his skillful leadership and promising vision for equality and peace, he was elected South African president on 1994 and transformed the country’s government system to fully representative and democratic. He is a proven world leader, with more than 100 leadership awards including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Lincoln and Mandela are two great presidents who have done tangible and beneficial changes to their countries. We Filipinos, too, have our own Lincoln or Mandela. And that has to be Jose Rizal.
Even though Rizal never lived to become a president, there has to be a reason why he is our national hero. And true enough, there are plenty of them. He has fueled patriotism to a nation severely oppressed and devoid of freedom. He has mobilized a long-standing struggle for liberty. He has awakened the Filipino spirit. He is a martyr of Philippine revolution that paved the way for our independence.
It’s always inspirational how some people gain power and truly become catalysts for change. But these kind of people are rare nowadays. The chances of finding one are even slimmer here in the Philippines where corruption is really a culture. But who knows, a new Rizal might just emerge from this new breed of 2010 presidential aspirants we have been hearing about. Who knows, he might just be among them. It’s your duty to pick him out.
BY: RYAN LOUIE MADRID
Photo credit: http://googleimages.com
Aside from Rizal, there are several Filipino leaders who are also valid for this list.
ReplyDeleteyeah, i know, there are a lot of Filipino leaders who are also great. but i had to trim down the list to those who are really great. Among the many Filipino leaders, Rizal has to be the best : )
ReplyDeletethanks for the comment, by the way.
ReplyDelete