More than the advocacy being pushed by the Philippine Internet Users Society (PIUS) , which is “Empowering Everyone Thru Computer and Internet Access,” is another advocacy of reviving an old traditional cultural trait of the Filipino, which is now fast vanishing because of the onslaught of free market competition.

Law of the jungle. In the liberal free market competition, there is a tendency for individuals to be reduced to the level of the beast in the dog-eat-dog, survival of the fittest, law of the economic jungle system, where everyone competes against each other for jobs, resources and opportunities.

The harsh competition in this so-called law of the jungle has triggered the rise of a perverted culture of ultra individualism and existentialism that is slowly eroding basic institutions and even the moral fabric that has kept family and society together. Even the humanist tradition of being concern for others, for the common good and for the general welfare, is now also slowly vanishing.

This dehumanizing “survival of the fittest” culture popularized by Charles Darwin, who has long been disproven, has forced many of our fellow Filipinos to make bitter choices----like entering prostitution, drugs, criminality, corruption, and or taking a gamble for uncertain jobs abroad by abandoning families only to end up exploited, unpaid, and even oppressed in ghastly living conditions abroad.

Unlike animals, which are only concerned about their own survival even gobbling their offsprings to survive, human beings are distinct creatures as we have the capacity to think about others----honoring our forefathers by becoming more productive or fruitful as we build for the future for our children. Animals only think of their present, while humans think of the past and of the future. Unlike animals, which only adapt to nature, human beings can conquer nature being capable of discovering universal physical principles that lead to science and technology for the benefit of everybody.

Culture of corruption & corruption of culture. Unfortunately, what is getting increasingly pervasive and dominant, particularly in the echelons of the government bureaucracy or even in the corporate business jungle in urban Metro Manila which is the center of media, political opinion, and the free trade cash nexus, is the corruption of the Filipino culture.

The concern for the general welfare, which is enshrined in our constitution and in our basic humanist doctrines, even in any religion, is now being replaced by the rising each-to-his-own culture or ”Kanya-kanya” culture, and “for-all-I care about others culture.”

Many no longer transact business or offer any help without anything favorable in exchange. Bribery and corruption now seem to be the way of life. Apparently, the corruption of our culture has ushered in tautologically the culture of corruption.

Worse, is the corruption of the minds of people, who are already numbed and dense about the stark reality happening around. Gone now are the traditional ideas like “delicadeza,” ethics, the essence of public service, etc. Perpetrators and victims of crimes and abuses care less about what happens to others, provided it does not happen to them directly.

We can cope with hope. But not all is lost, Filipinos and human beings often rise to the occasion amid tragedies. Ironically, it is during tragic situations that people see glaring contrasts, where they learn to become more critical and respond accordingly.

A concrete manifestation of this capacity of people to see through social problems amid the stark reality is the August 5 funeral march of the late President Corazon Aquino. It speaks a lot about the pent-up frustrations and anger over various problems and their total admiration for what everybody calls their “Tita Cory” for her sincerity, integrity, compassion, and humility.

Perhaps, this occasion and the challenges in the forthcoming elections must inspire people to bring back what is still inherent in our culture, but fast vanishing------which is none other than the “Bayanihan Spirit.”

In the past EDSA people power revolutions and the recent Cory funeral march, bayanihan was very active. People donated and shared food and drinks coming from strangers. Everybody wanted to help or contribute their share by joining the march, or even getting glued to the TV coverage.

Bayan first, ‘Anihan’ follows. Indeed, we can cope with any problem if there is hope. And that hope can be found in our inherent culture, which is the “Bayanihan Spirit.” And if you break down what banihan really means, it really starts first with BAYAN, and once you achieve a critical level and sense of community, then the ANIHAN or harvest or prosperity will follow.

At PIUS, we practice the bayanihan spirit as volunteerism is being practiced. Being cash-strapped with many of our volunteers hardly having enough for transportation fares, we would not have lasted or gone this far without this spirit of volunteerism.

Also worth noting is the power of the computers and the Internet, which has brought us together at PIUS even when we do not physically meet with each other physically, which can be costly in terms of time and resources. PIUS therefore has been empowered by Computer-Internet Access.

But, again, more than the power of technology, is the power of the human spirit---which can locally and concretely mean the “Bayanihan Spirit” of the Pinoy. Thus, PIUS has continually been building its network and alliances with people it has not even met yet, but has established strong bonds because of the power of technology and our advocacy that is anchored on the “Bayanihan Spirit.”

I strongly believe bringing back the “Bayanihan Spirit” is one sure strategy for our society to surmount the imminent threats of a global recession.