The Philippines’ rich history is adorned with the tales of heroes who have fought valiantly for the nation’s freedom and identity. From the intellectual prowess of Jose Rizal to the revolutionary fervor of Andres Bonifacio, these figures have left an indelible mark on the Filipino consciousness. But beyond the pages of history books and the statues in parks, what do these heroes mean to the daily struggles of Filipinos today?

Are they m the heroes still relevant and if I may say, inspiring?

For a minimum wage fellow, the names of heroes are no more than names of streets and yes holidays. It may be brands, trade marks and even adjectives without much thought. For a career person, the same lump of names are a mandatory study and reference but never a really significant matter because as we knew the bottom-line in serving the agency where you are at, hinges on outputs and wages. Believe it or not, heroes to the working class are not that significant. To them, they are busy earning a living.

But in all. We need heroes, much as we need celebrities!

Heroes can inspire. The moral and ethical standards set by heroes such as Jose Rizal provide a guiding light for Filipinos. Rizal’s advocacy for education and reform through peaceful means highlights the importance of knowledge and integrity. In a society where corruption and inequality persist, his ideals serve as a reminder of the values that should guide personal and collective actions.

Heroes are steadfast and has the progressive spirit to engage in society. The revolutionary spirit of heroes like Andres Bonifacio continues to inspire activism and social movements in the Philippines. Bonifacio’s call for independence and his willingness to fight for justice resonate with modern-day activists who champion various causes, from human rights to environmental protection3. His legacy empowers Filipinos to stand up against oppression and advocate for a better future.

Like it or not, heroes are vital to our existence . The revolutionary spirit is good for everyone, when the chips are down and the funds are low, the revolutionary spirit can push us forward.

Heroes are things of the past but still it is an ever present inspirational. we must not disregard nor put them in the dustbins, they are exemplars of resiliency and positive spirit.

WE have to be wary of this tendency of ours. We should not just follow rules and practices blindly and would just go through the motions for the sake of mere compliance. As much as possible, we should know the reason and motive behind our actions and mean them as sincerely as possible.

We are reminded of this danger in that gospel episode where Christ lamented over certain practices of the Jews of his time that showed they were just doing them more for the sake of appearance rather than out of a sincere heart. (cfr. Mk 7)

“This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me,” he said and continued to say, “in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.” (Mk 7,6-7)

To be guarded against this tendency, we need to pause from time to time, and check whether our actuations truly come from the heart, and our intentions are pure. In fact, as much as possible we should make our intention actual, and not just habitual or virtual.
This is to protect us from falling into routine that deadens our intentions and leads us to do things just mechanically. As much as possible we should not allow our routinary tasks to muffle our enthusiasm and love for God and others.

The challenge is how to keep ourselves burning with love in spite of our routinary tasks. In fact, if we are clever enough like the serpent that Christ talked about, (cfr. Mt 10,16) we can even make use of these routinary tasks as a way to nourish our love for God and others.

For this, we have to see to it that we are always activating our faith, hope and charity by making frequent acts of faith, hope and charity in spite of the lack of gusto for them. Much like everything else in our life, there are things that we should just do even if do not feel like doing them simply because they are necessary to us. These frequent acts of faith, hope and charity can do a lot of wonder and can fan into a flame our waning enthusiasm and love for God and others.

These theological virtues, these God-given gifts are the ones that enable us to live our life in a way that is full of love, the love that comes from God himself. It’s a love that always renews itself, not allowing itself to get accustomed, much less, bored by what we do every day.

As the Catechism would put it, these theological virtues “bestow on one the capacity to live in a relationship with the Trinity. They are the foundation and the energizing force of the Christian’s moral activity and they give life to the human virtues.” (CCC 384)
Also, when we do things with the zeal of love for God and for others, we would effectively protect ourselves from the attacks of our own weaknesses and the many temptations around.

We need to see to it that every move we make is always done with actual love, a love that should be a channeling of the very love of God as shown to us by Christ. It is a love that knows how to handle any situation in our life, whether good or bad in human terms. It is a supernatural love, not just human love.

It is this love, more than anything else, that truly matters in our relation with God and with others.

The landscape of work and employment has experienced a seismic shift from traditional, full-time employment towards more flexible, freelance, and short-term work opportunities. This phenomenon, referred to as the “gig economy,” has emerged as a powerful force that is redefining the norms and expectations of work. This article explores the rise of the gig economy and its implications on workers and businesses alike.

The Emergence of the Gig Economy

The gig economy, characterized by temporary, flexible jobs, has been facilitated by technological advancements that connect workers with potential employers through digital platforms. These platforms, such as Grab, Airbnb, and UpWork, have transformed various sectors, including transport, hospitality, and creative services, allowing individuals to monetize their skills, assets, or time, often without a long-term employer-employee relationship.

Based on recent data, approximately 2 percent of the Filipino population, or around 1.5 million Filipinos, are engaged in the gig economy. This makes the Philippines the country with the highest per capita rate of gig economy participation globally. The Philippines also ranks sixth in the Global Gig Economy Index, indicating its rapid growth in the gig industry. These figures demonstrate the significant presence of Filipino employees in the gig economy and highlight the increasing impact and influence of this sector on the country’s workforce.

Implications for Workers

For workers, the gig economy offers them the flexibility to choose when, where, and how much to work they should do. It is short in saying as, freelancers. It provides opportunities for individuals who may be excluded from traditional employment, such as students, retirees, or those seeking additional income. However, it also presents challenges. Gig workers often lack the job security, benefits, and protections afforded to traditional employees. Additionally, income can be unpredictable, and workers bear the costs of providing their own equipment or assets.

The main industries contributing to the gig economy in the Philippines are diverse and include digital services, e-commerce, transportation and delivery services, hospitality and tourism, education and training, healthcare, and creative industries. These sectors offer opportunities for freelancers and independent contractors to provide services in areas such as web development, graphic design, digital marketing, product listing, online store management, ride-hailing, food delivery, tour guiding, online tutoring, course creation, telemedicine, photography, videography, writing, and more. The gig economy in the Philippines has seen significant growth, providing individuals with flexible work arrangements and a wide range of opportunities to showcase their skills and expertise.

Implications for Businesses

For businesses, the gig economy offers a flexible workforce and can reduce costs associated with full-time employees, such as benefits and office space. It enables businesses to scale up or down quickly based on demand, improving efficiency and responsiveness. However, businesses also face challenges in managing and maintaining quality standards with a dispersed, independent workforce. Additionally, regulatory uncertainties around the classification of gig workers pose legal risks.

The Future of the Gig Economy

As the gig economy continues to evolve, it’s clear that it is not a fleeting phenomenon, but a fundamental shift in the world of work. Policymakers, businesses, and workers must navigate its challenges and opportunities. Policymakers need to update labor laws to protect gig workers, businesses must adapt their models to leverage the gig economy effectively, and workers must develop skills and adaptability to thrive in the gig economy.

In conclusion, the gig economy, driven by the digital revolution, is redefining work and employment. It offers a new world of opportunities and challenges for workers and businesses. As we navigate the complexities of this new landscape, it is clear that the gig economy is not just reshaping our present, but also shaping the future of work. Its ramifications will undoubtedly continue to influence economic policy, business strategies, and individual career paths in the digital age.
————–
If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

In the press conference that was purportedly called by Angelica Poquiz Yulo, the opening salvo was made by the volunteer lawyer Raymund Farsical A. Fortun. It took a huge chunk of time issuing a disclaimer that he is acting as the counsel of the Olympian’s mother. He took the trail of argumentation used by lawyer Herminio “Harry” Lopez Roque, Jr. that without a contract of his engagement as lawyer, there is no lawyer-client relationship to speak of. Such position was used by the volunteer counsel of the Olympian’s mother that his services are for free and there is no contract between him and Angelica Poquiz Yulo. In fact, all he is doing is to stop the unabated spread of false information as claimed by the Olympian’s mother.

The media people gathered in that press conference were made to understand that the Olympian’s mother is merely being assisted by the volunteer counsel. The purpose was to clarify the issues raised by Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo and his girlfriend Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose that appeared in social media. People were expecting the Olympian’s mother to state her sentiments straight from the proverbial bottom of her heart. Unfortunately, the statement came from a prepared letter that was read by Angelica Poquiz Yulo before the media and all people who were online. It brought to the fore the initial statement of the volunteer lawyer that his services was primarily offered as the Olympian’s mother had been issuing statements without the assistance of counsel.

With the scripted statement contained in the letter, people could not be lamed if they would entertain the thought that the statement had been influenced by counsel or anybody who the Olympian’s mother had talked to, listened and believed. Such perception was reinforced during the open forum when Angelica Poquiz Yulo became evasive in answering basic and simple questions needing straightforward answers. Notably, while the press conference was mainly called to clarify the issues raised by Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo and his girlfriend Chloe Anjeleigh San Jose, the Olympian’s mother would not like to answer the basic question on where she spent the money that her son was looking for.

When asked on what their family plans to do on the arrival of her bemedaled son, she flatly replied that their family have not talked about it. This, even as everyone are upbeat and excited to meet Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo upon his return from the 2024 Paris Olympics. It is indeed appalling that the aim to give clarification was held with much reservation, presumably following the counsel from many sources. People could only guess that the high-profile volunteer counsel may not be true in his statements that he is only giving free legal services to stop the spread of inaccurate information about some statements being attributed to the Olympian’s mother.

There appears to be mental dishonesty on the part of the Olmpian’s mother and some persons behind her that even the bemedaled Carlos Edriel Poquiz Yulo begged to obtain a sincere apology from his mother. All that the public wants is a sincere expression of the mother without the interference and influence of counsel.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com