I was able to experience and be a spectator of a house being carried by more than a dozen men from one place to another when I was a kid. I said to myself that this is really only in the Philippines when people engage in such activities – in unity to achieve a goal. True to its form and meaning, people in unity and in complete participation can definitely be able to work out and arrive at a goal. Until this date, we Filipinos, inherent in our character can definitely be able to achieve the long dreamed goal of progress if we all unite.
“We have that inherent bayanihan spirit in us..”
Participatory communication for development is such an ideal means to achieve development. We do not need to completely wait and rely on what will be given to us in order to act upon every problem and generate a solution. We have that inherent bayanihan spirit in us that should have been waking us up in deep slumber. A barangay can always unite and form a community organisation that can formulate plans to help the Barangay council in preventing the spread of dengue. Or perhaps, women in the town can become avid advocates of the importance of breast feeding to lactating mothers in their town.
We can always improve our lives by becoming a participating/active citizen rather than becoming passive and wait and cry foul over some politician whose term ended by doing nothing to make your vote worthwhile. Why not engage in community communication, generate a local newspaper where everyone can contribute as to their techniques or best practices in farming? Maybe bystanders, yaya’s or mothers who are waiting outside a Day Care Centre waiting for their children to come out can engage in educational communication and talk about means and ways to earn from the used plastics, bottles, cans and other recyclable materials from their respective households.
Achieving our goals starts from small beginnings. To transfer a house from one place to another requires one to take small steps, a strong arm, a steady and focused mind and a strong passion that after such struggle, the goal will be reached – if only everyone unites and participates.
Photocredit: http://www.entrepinoympc.com/images/bayanihan.jpg
judeparcon 
