In an opinion piece published by Philstar Biz, the author reflects on the June 12 Independence Day holiday and poses a critical question: what went wrong over the past 80 years since the country supposedly became independent from a colonial power?
The article suggests that despite formal independence, a “colonial hangover” persists, manifesting in economic, cultural, and political dependencies that continue to shape the nation. It urges readers to examine the gaps between nominal sovereignty and true self-determination.
The piece serves as a sobering call for national introspection, challenging Filipinos to look beyond celebrations and confront the structural legacies of colonialism that remain embedded in Philippine society.