I am from.....

By Jean Mata

I am from the Pearl of the Orient,

the land of the palm trees, rice fields and the golden mangoes.

I am from the place where you can gaze at the stars on a clear night.

I am from the fields of the dragon flies and the butterflies.

I am from the place of the orchids and the sampaguita.

I am from the a beautiful land corrupted by evil politicians

who bloated themselves with power and stolen wealth.

I am from a place where poverty is like a cancer.

I am from the place where people always reach out to heaven for help.

I am from the place where people smile even in the midst of sufferings.

I am from the place where people help you even they need help too.

I am from the place where people give even they are empty.

I am from the Philippines.