June 12 marks the day which the Philippines gained independence from Spain in 1898, after 350+ years of oppressive Spanish rule. After that, however, the Philippines would be occupied by the Americans for another 50 years before they would fully gain their independence as a nation.
Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, wrote essays promoting political reform under Spanish rule. Although he did not directly advocate for revolution, the uprising was inspired by his works, and he was put to death by the Spanish for treason.
Nationalist writers who furthered his ideology also asserted that any nation should account for itself as an independent member of the international arena. A nation should work to be able to support itself and the needs of its people, not dependent on foreign aid and catering to the wishes of a larger power. This value is captured in the vision and mission of The E-CARE Foundation too, which empowers communities to become self-reliant, harnessing their own strengths, and to in turn help their fellow countrymen.
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| From a visit to E-CARE's housing project in the Visayas region, which was devastated by supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013. These Filipinos aren't taking a handout, but building their own houses by making their own eco-friendly hollow blocks & selling the surplus to pay for their land. True asset-based development & Receiving 2 Giving transformation! |
