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Address of President Manuel L. Quezon on Policies and Achievements of the Government and Regeneration of the Filipino

For the text of Quezon's Address, see Address of His Excellency Manuel L. Quezon or a video of President Manuel Quezon Tells Filipinos What They Must Do

Manuel L. Quezon delivered the address before the faculties and student bodies of public and private schools, colleges, and universities, at the José Rizal Memorial Field, August 19, 1938.

Manuel L. Quezon was a forceful personality who dominated the political scene and towered over his contemporaries and colleagues. His active involvement in the destiny of his country was felt both in the Philippines and the United States. Much of the current relations between the Philippines and the United States can best be understood by studying how the United States pursued policy for the Philippines, especially in the matter of political independence and economic development. The Quezon papers document the events and politics involved in the long history of the Philippine independence movement conducted both in the Philippines and in the United States, and consequently constitute a major source of information not only for the history of the Philippines, but also in the context of its history within and of the region (Southeast East Asia/East Asia), as well as of the United States, and of European countries (Britain, France, the Netherlands) during the period of colonial rule in the region.

Historical Context

The speech originated in his passion in making the country ready for its independence. As a fighter of freedom in the Spanish era, Pres. Manuel L. Quezon's dream of changing the country's horizon from being held down by those who had no love and compassion to the country. And as a patriot, he is concerned about the loss of love and affection of his fellow countrymen that made him pursue this revival of a strong, unified, patriotic country to face the worst obstacles that this country would have.

Political Context

Manuel L. Quezon's political will is to change the nation's shape into an international model to other countries and bring back the glory of the orient pearl that fascinated many countries back in time. Our country is now unstable, shaken by many colonizers including the Spain and the United States. This speech of Pres. Quezon also concerns on the new political aspects of the youth, to build the nation's integrity and honor. As a member of the United Nations, we must be an example to other countries as a patriotic and a God-fearing country.

Cultural Context

Filipinos is a vast collection of different cultures and traditions. The colonizers' influence changed the cultural aspects and traditional way of living. In Pres. Quezon's speech, he calls for a revival of our old culture that shows our Patriotism and bravery, just like what Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Lapu-Lapu did. Though the Filipinos have a variety of cultures, it is not a hindrance to shape the unity of the people. On this modern times, an example of that unity is what happened in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution led by former President Corazon C. Aquino to oust the Marcos' government.

Traits of Filipinos

Manuel L. Quezon stated in his speech that the Filipinos of today are "soft" and "easy-going". He believed Filipino relations are just like parasitism. They are uninclined to sustain strenuous effort, lacks earnestness and his sense of righteousness is often dulled by the desire of personal gain. His norm of conduct is generally prompted by expediency rather than by principle. He shows a failing in that superb courage which impels action because it is right, even at the cost of self-sacrifice. His greatest fear is not to do wrong, but of being caught doing wrong. He is frivolous in his view of life. His conception of virtue is many times conventional. He takes his religion lightly. He thinks that lip-service and profession are equivalent to deep and abiding faith. He is inconstant; he lacks perseverance; the first obstacles baffle him, and he easily admits defeat. The patriotism of many Filipinos of today is skin-deep, incapable of inspiring heroic deeds. There are those who are apt to compromise with ethical principles and to regard truth as not incompatible with misrepresentation or self-deceit.

He also stated that the Filipino nation is not inferior to any man of any race. It's physical, intellectual, and moral qualities are as excellent as those of those the proudest stock of mankind. But some of these qualities, I am constrained to admit, have become dormant in recent years. If we compare our individual and civic traits with those that adorned our forefathers, we will find, I fear, that we, the Filipinos of today, have lost much of the moral strength and power for growth of our ancestors. They were strong-willed, earnest, adventurous people. They had traditions potent in influence in their lives, individually and collectively. They had the courage to be pioneers, to brave the seas, clear the forest and erect towns and cities upon the wilderness. They led a life of toil and communal service. Each one considered himself an active part of the body politic. But those traditions are either lost or forgotten. They exist only as a as a hazy-mist in our distant past. We must revive them, for we need the anchorage of these traditions to guide and sustain us in the proper discharge of our political and social obligations.

Values

According to Manuel L. Quezon, national strength can only be built on character and a nation is nothing without its citizenry. The powerful nation also build when there is unity, love and respect of the individuals. The weakness of the one nation is discordance, when your fellow citizens are not agreeing in the perspective of the leaders. A powerful nation can only creates if there is collaboration of individuals together with their trust and support to their leaders, but in our generation Filipino is soft, easy going. The quality and values of being a Filipino was already forgotten.

"The past is very different from now, the brave and courageous traits of being Filipino is dormant in the decent years. All we need now is the get out from the cage were we are standing today and lets bring back those traits of a true Filipino. The traditions and beliefs of our forefathers is already dis-remember. We have attained our freedom by carrying the behavior and beliefs of a Filipino and pass it other generation of our children."

- Manuel L. Quezon

Education in Schools

From one of Manuel L. Quezon's speech, it was stated that the standard of our public education shall not face a downhill production. It is each one's fault that caused this, I do not desire to find the person to blame. Undeniably, we have more public schools today than there ever was. There is an enormous expenditure spent on the fund thus to the commendable educational results and accomplishments done. You can spend a big amount of money to educate a numerous number of children, but the outcome is that you have created only a few. On the other side, spend a justifiable amount of money, you also get a justifiable number of educated children.

In looking to one's earning capacity is one of the major faults of the American government in the Philippines and yet we should be earning a high salary here in the Philippines. Other peoples of the world are straining themselves to attain higher levels of progress and national security because of better education.