This is what dream Philippines is about

AFTER everything has been said, what we really need to contribute towards, generously and selflessly, is the collective effort on the part of many other Filipinos to build a Philippines more in line with our dreams for our people.

This cannot be done by each one of us trying to carve out a stone from the national quarry in order to build a house only for ourselves. Rather, we need to work together with others by bringing a stone we have taken from our backyard and contribute it as a building block for the national edifice we should be in process of constructing.

Thus, the need for what Dr. Tiongco refers to as “transcendent motivation.” This is what he says:

“Nonetheless, both the extrinsic and intrinsic types of motivation are still directed toward one’s self. Studies on work motivation have shown that people may choose to behave or act for a non-selfreferential motive. Thus, a third kind of motivation, described as transcendent or contributory, has been distinguished.

“Someone strongly driven by a transcendent or contributory motive will behave or act in a certain way because of the benefits that other people stand to gain or enjoy as a consequence of such behavior or action. In other words, the person’s main motive is the positive impact that his behavior or action can have on the life of other people. He transcends (i.e., gets out of) himself in order to contribute to the improvement of other people’s welfare, living standards or conditions, or personal circumstances through his behavior or action.

“Education in ‘other-ness’ thus calls for a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary approach, integrating elements of moral education, civic education, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and other social sciences that can help instill in people an operative concern for the needs, rights, and welfare of others. Like moral literacy, this kind of concern does not occur by accident or come about spontaneously. It has to be deliberately fostered in all possible places and settings and in people of all ages, beginning with the youngest ones.”

Indeed, we used to have a subject in grade school, and it was called “Good Manners and Right Conduct.” The content of such a subject would need to be considerably expanded and enriched so our young can be taught and guided towards the practice of “transcendent behavior.” They will need to be given practical examples of action undertaken with the aim of creating a positive impact on the life of other people, and a developmental impact on Philippine society. They will have to be brought up to see that what is good for others and the entire community eventually – sooner rather than later – works out for one’s own good as well. But first, the motivation has to be for others and PH: and then, the wider impact can bring a wave of benefits to oneself and one’s family as well.

Moreover, this expanded and enriched subject should not be pitched to the young only. It has to be directed to every one of us, young and old alike.