“When you step back and do what is right for everyone, you attract what is best for the country” – Unknown
It is an inherent trait for many Filipinos to have a pessimistic view towards the concept of Nationalism or Love of Country. Nationalism is defined as promoting the distinct identity of a nation in various aspects such as intellect, social, cultural, economic, political, and moral, which aims to foster unity among its citizens and promote the common good, as opposed to being indifferent towards such values.
On December 4, 2023, the Philippine Public Safety Academy had the privilege of attending the Joint Flag-Raising Ceremony hosted by the Bureau of Fire Protection Regional Office 4A. This event is usually held on the first Monday of each month at the Philippine National Police Regional Office 4A Parade Grounds to honor the Philippine National Flag. The weather was kind this day, adding to the auspiciousness of the occasion.
The event was graced by the Guest of Honor and Speaker DIR CARLOS EDUARDO E. ALVAREZ III, Regional Director of Office of the Civil Defense CALABARZON who expressed his profound appreciation to all the agencies who served as their partners in achieving their goal towards a disaster-resilient community. Additionally, he quoted
“ Through the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of CALABARZON, the Office of Civil Defense looks forward in continuing to work together with all of you in developing more DRRM initiatives and activities to help achieve a safer, more adaptable, and disaster-resilient Filipino community as they move toward sustainable development”.
The PPSA has fully embraced Nationalism, which emphasizes national identity, sovereignty, and self-determination. It encourages a sense of loyalty and pride towards one’s country, often rooted in shared history, culture, and language. From a nationalist perspective, a united nation might be viewed with suspicion or even hostility, as it could be seen as a threat to national sovereignty and the preservation of unique cultural identities.