By Earl Valenzuela 

I usually don’t write letters—let alone address myself with something urgent, but I really want to put this out there. Know that I am not setting this as a burden for you, nor am I expecting you to fulfill my aspirations for ourselves, ten, twenty years from now. Amid the chaos-engulfed prophecies and dystopian futures, I would really love to have an optimistic view of how we, our nation, and the world we live in, evolve into an idealistic version of itself. However unfeasible it might seem, there’s no telling what could and would happen.

To You: Ten Years From Now

Ten years from now, I wonder how things will be? Of course, your aspirations will always be there to achieve; and know that no matter where you end up, no matter what career path you choose, your past selves will always be open-minded to the circumstances to be encountered. So long as it is within the just path, that is. 

But beyond your personal aspirations, what does the world you live in look like? I know this is a stereotypical question; however, I would still like to ask if there are flying cars there already in the future—and if there are any, do the majority utilize renewable energy and no longer rely on fossil fuels, including regular cars? Perhaps the atmosphere is no longer as strained and stressed as it used to be due to this change.

Statistics nowadays suggest that the majority of the greenhouse gas emissions are brought forward by human activity, and I am looking forward to seeing the day that humanity leaves behind capitalistic ideals for the sake of moving forward. I hope the world you live in now is a world where the temperature is back to normal, ice caps are no longer melting at alarming rates, and rising sea levels aren’t a looming threat.

Speaking of climate change and whatnot, how’s the socio-political climate of the Philippines? Wouldn’t it be amazing to see journalism thriving in our homeland, where criticism towards the government is neither shunned nor red-tagged? How about our political leaders? I do indubitably hope that they are no longer tied to conservative ideals bound by religious ideologies, but rather make decisions bound by the greater good.

Reflecting back on the Duterte administration, and the ongoing Marcos administration—only one thing is in my mind, and that is how about the ordinary Filipinos? The disinformation in this contemporary era runs amok as it is deeply rooted within our society, the tyrannical rule is undeniably impending. I could only wish that this is not what you are experiencing—instead of fearing what the government could do, you are able to demand accountability, transparency, and action from the authorities that the Filipino people have elected.

Our nation’s history of progress is truly mysterious. One moment we’re democratic, and in another, we’re back to re-electing those that we’ve ousted in the past. Progress not only in political landscapes, but also in all sectors, be it education, agriculture, science and technology, and most importantly human rights.

Speaking of human rights, how do you fare lately? I hope your rights as a Filipino citizen are secure, free to criticize whomever you want, of course, in a non-libelous manner without any further consequence. But beyond yourself, how about the people that need certain options but are illegalized by the legislation due to certain religious reasons—and I surmise that you know what I’m tackling here. Is abortion legal now, and is it an accessible option for women around the nation? After all, women’s rights are fundamental human rights as well.  I hope it is, and I hope you remained firm in your stance that abortion is healthcare. How about divorce? Religious mandates have threatened the security of women and men alike from toxic relationships, even extending as far as their children,  and I hope that those who need it the most are given a second chance in having a better life.

Another decade to go… and I hope you’re still there.

To You: Twenty Years From Now

Twenty years have passed since I wrote you this letter, and wherever you are now, I hope you’re somewhere good. Of course, I’ll always know that we’ll be able to triumph over our personal challenges, but I never fail to think about how the world is shaped now.

Climate experts are suggesting that we only have nine years left to steer the direction the Earth is taking, and I hope by then, or by now, you’ll still be there to read this. How amazing would it be to wake up in a world that no longer smells like exhaust fumes, where the air quality index is at an all-time high, very few species are endangered, and the majority of ecosystems’ stability has been restored? 

I am aware that this is too much wishful thinking, however, do you remember how the ozone layer’s integrity was decreasing at an alarming rate due to chlorofluorocarbons, and humanity collectively took a step to mitigate the consequences of their own actions? I believe there is still hope for the world I live in today, even if some steps are irreversible, even if we’re near the point of no return, humanity can collectively turn things around to mitigate the consequences of their predecessors’ actions, and I hope that whatever I, my friends and family, and the rest of the world have hoped for in the world that you live in today, is something that you’re living out.

Twenty years ago, or to be exact, the world I live in now is heated with global political turmoils—the war between Ukraine and Russia, China’s aggression towards Taiwan, the feud between Israel and Palestine, and so much more. It’s so disheartening to see the world plagued with selfish men pursuing their own agenda at the expense of the blood, sweat, and tears of others. What I wish to see 20 years from now, and what I wish you’re living now, is a world where the patriarchy is brought down, our economy bustling, and of course, world peace.

Recently, a myriad of pride marches occurred across the world, and as always, pride is a protest. As time went by, I wonder, is same-sex marriage legal in our country now, and is the Philippines truly a gay-friendly country now, instead of a nation that tolerates homosexuality? I do hope that the separation of church and state is now applied to not only the lower and upper houses of the legislature, but also to the values of the majority of the population.

Before I end this letter, there’s one last thing I would like to impart to you, even though you’d most likely be wiser than I am now, with my wishes unnumbered for myself, or you, for my community, nation, and the world that I’ve lived in. No matter what comes out of the twenty years that will pass, know that you contributed meaningfully to the betterment of the reality you live in.