“Ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country.
”
- Former US President John F. Kennedy
INTRODUCTION:
[MAKI]
Hello, catcakes! This is your host maki and you’re listening to makinimakijang the ‘How
to be a good citizen’ podcast. [Intro Video]
Welcome,
PAGKAMAKA-BAYAN:
A good citizen serves not just because he is incentivized, but because they truly love
their nation and hope for the future. Along with giving the flag your respects and your
oath of allegiance, I’d say your votes in elections are certainly a mark of your role as a
citizen, not just to set a foundation for the coming leaders of the country, but also to
demonstrate what the Philippines really is as a state; a democratic republic. We the
people have the power in seating those who are worthy of governing the country, and
our local districts.
Even if we’re really divided over deciding who should be seated within the government,
or what actions and policies should be pursued, our objective is the same overall, and
that is to serve the nation and seek what’s best along the way. Which brings us to our
guest today…
PAGKAMAKA- DIYOS:
I grew up in a family that was close to God. At first, I wasn’t a believer like them. I
longed for a life that felt “easier” to bear, but that comfort never came. My life felt so
miserable back then that I even tried to blame God, though the truth is I didn’t really
believe in Him yet. One day, someone invited me to join the catechist ministry. I
accepted, not fully knowing what to expect. I began teaching children simple stories
about God and His creations. At first, it felt ironic, but somehow it also felt light and
fulfilling. The more time I spent in that ministry, the more my faith grew.
That’s when it hit me—you’re not just serving God. Through it, you also learn to forgive,
to love yourself, and to love others. Now, I serve as a lector at the Parish of Our Lady of
Peace and Good Voyage, and my belief in God continues to grow deeper every day.
PANGKALIKASAN:
When I was in 4th or maybe 5th grade, something memorable happened in our old
barangay. My mother always encouraged me to join contests, projects, and events, and
one day, I found myself part of a week-long program organized in our barangay. I can't
remember the exact name of the event, but I believe it was led by college students
because they look so young, if I recall their faces, and we respectfully called Manang
and Manong—and it focused on teaching kids and teens how to take care of the
environment and our community.
Throughout that week, we learned so many things—how to properly segregate trash,
how to clean our surroundings, and why it's important to care for our environment. We
wore gloves and masks while picking up trash, and they explained which bins were for
plastics, biodegradables, and recyclables. It was fun, too—there were activities and
games, and they even gave us prizes if we followed the instructions correctly.
But more than the fun, the lessons stuck with me. Those Manang and Manong said
these habits should stay with us until we grow up—and I guess they were right. Ever
since then, I can't bring myself to litter. I always find the nearest trash bin, and if I make
a mess, I clean it up. It became second nature to me.
Being a good citizen doesn’t always mean making huge changes. Sometimes, it starts
with small habits like not littering, planting a tree, or reminding a friend to throw their
trash properly. Taking care of nature is taking care of our future. After all, this earth is
not just our home—it’s the home of the generations yet to come.