Asked to Die, Struggling to Live

I found myself reflecting on the lyrics of “Lupang Hinirang,” particularly the line: “Ang mamatay nang dahil sa’yo.” It is a familiar phrase—romanticized without question. But I can’t help but ask: Is dying for the Philippines still a noble pursuit?

Perhaps that question should be asked of those in power—elected leaders and officials entrusted to serve. The realities are difficult to ignore. Roads remain in disrepair, in many public hospitals, patients wait for hours—sometimes longer—just to receive basic care. In schools, curiosity can take a back seat to compliance. And in the justice system, fairness can feel uncertain, depending on who you are.

We’re told to offer our lives, yet many struggle to build a life in a nation they are asked to die for. Patriotism must also be about dignity. It must mean living in a country that values its people, not just calling on them to sacrifice.

Love, if it is to be genuine, must be met with responsibility—by leaders, by institutions, and by the systems meant to serve the public. Perhaps we should first ask: Has the Philippines truly lived for its people?

Mariz Alarde,
alardemariz@gmail.com

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