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The
Nacionalista Party (NP) has the distinction of being
the most enduring political party not only in the Philippines
but also in Asia. This April 2005, it celebrates its
98th founding anniversary with an honor roll of producing
six Philippine Presidents as well as a stellar cast
of congressmen and senators.
At its birth, the Nacionalistas fought for independence
from colonial rule through peaceful means. The venerable
Claro M. Recto provided the clear vision of what a nation
should be at a time when certain sectors were agitating
for being simply a federal state.
When
World War II broke out, the Nacionalista leaders, notably
President Jose P. Laurel, sought to ensure that the
welfare of as many Filipinos were first secured, even
as a Nacionalista government-in-exile led by President
Manuel L. Quezon was established to coordinate the struggle
for freedom by many of its countrymen.
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When Gen. Douglas McArthur returned on the beaches of Leyte,
he was accompanied by Nacionalista leaders like Sergio Osmeña
Sr. to retake the Philippines.
The end of the war in 1945, however, saw the near-total destruction
of the City of Manila, which according to some historians
was only exceeded by the damage done on the City of Warsaw.
Rather than be depressed by the situation, the Nacionalistas
- led by the "Man of the Masses", President Ramon
Magsaysay - rolled up their sleeves to earnestly begin rebuilding
the country.
By the 1950's, the economy of the Philippines was the pride
of democracy in Asia. It regained its status as the Pearl
of the Orient when the Nacionalista President Carlos P. Garcia
launched the Filipino First Policy.
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In
the late 1960s, President Ferdinand Marcos ran and won
his second term under the Nacionalista flag at a period
of international tension due to the Cold War. Fearful
of the communists taking over the country, he created
his own party, declared Martial Law in 1972, and abolished
Congress.
Through the dark period, the Nacionalistas struggled
to keep the flame of freedom alive. Its motto "Ang
Bayan Higit Sa Lahat" (The Nation Above All Else)
was the guiding principle of its leaders in building
an opposition coalition. |
To
unite the opposition in the 1986 snap elections, then Nacionalista
Party President Salvador "Doy" Laurel, did not hesitate
to set aside personal ambition and make the sacrifice to give
way to Corazon "Cory" Aquino as the opposition standard
bearer against the sitting Dictator. Both ushered in a peaceful
revolution known as "People Power" which soon became
the inspiration for many fledging democracies throughout the
world.
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The
21st century witnesses the passing of the baton of leadership
to Senator Manuel "Manny" Villar. A boy born
of plebian origins, Villar, by dint of hard work and
patience sought to provide a roof for every Filipino,
and in the process established one of Southeast Asia's
largest housing companies. He brings the same energy
to the field of public service and represents the new
breed of Nacionalistas who are young, dynamic, competent,
values-oriented, and practitioners of change.
The
Nacionalistas now need to contend with the perils and
opportunities of globalization. Nation-building no longer
just means harnessing the talents of the Filipino people
and the resources of the Mother Land but also involves
caring for its sizeable expatriate population.
Today,
the continuing struggle for independence center on freeing
its people from the oppressive manacles of poverty.
It is a vision that will require fresh ideas, courage,
and self-sacrifice-a supply of which is never lacking
among the current crop of Nacionalistas. |
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