Articles / Book: A NATION UNBORN

(Click to enlarge)

Synopsis

“A Nation Unborn” is the result of the author’s quest for ultimate meaning in life. It is a spiritual journey spanning almost four decades. Her initial desire – to serve God and country – found expression first as a Good Shepherd Sister, then as an underground cadre of the Communist Party of the Philippines, later as a contractor working for reforms in the construction industry vis-a-vis different government agencies, and eventually, as one of the controversial leaders of civil society who initiated the ouster of former President of the Philippines, Erap Estrada, and first exposed the corruption of the present residents of Malacanang Palace, Gloria and Mike Arroyo.

Since the “road to holiness must necessarily pass through the world of action”, the author’s aspirations inevitably brought her alongside the pilgrimage of the Filipino people towards the elusive “Promised Land” of peace and prosperity. It led her to a first hand view of the betrayal and treason of our national leaders and made her review historically why this was so. Her trip back to the Filipinos’ collective past enabled her to see in a different light why the masses of ordinary Filipinos are bereft of a genuine national identity today. It also brought into focus the reasons why the present system has almost collapsed and why an urgent cleansing and transformation must happen in the Philippines if it is to prevent itself from turning into a “failed state”.

The author’s priority for moral values and her Catholic standpoint are seen in the more controversial parts of the book – the many men of Gloria Arroyo and her “dance with the devil” as an illegitimate president turned dictator, a detailed recital of the treachery of all our presidents from Aguinaldo to Arroyo, how the United States veered away from the original intent of their Founding Fathers in dealing with the Philippines and the call to the conscience of the American people to undertake voluntary rectification in our country if it is to save America and finally, the imperative for all Filipinos today to choose either the path towards peace and prosperity but through civil war or maintain the status quo and become a failed state . She asserts that unless these sins are addressed we all share in the guilt. The author contends that if we are in a miserable and desperate state today it is because we have forsaken God’s directive “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all other things shall be given to you”. Happiness to her is “going back to our Ultimate Source”. And if as a result of this book the “first couple” decides to physically terminate her, the author believes they would only shorten her journey back to God.

The book is the author’s personal story. But it is also your story, the account of every Filipino who cares for his country, whether in the Philippines or abroad. It echoes the tale of all peoples in the underdeveloped countries, all preys and victims of the powerful governments, huge banks and corporations—the corporatocracy—and like us, each of them is also “A Nation Unborn”.

About the Author

The author, Maria Linda Olaguer Montayre,has been with different people’s groups in the Philippines for almost 40 years. At the moment she is the secretary general of the People’s Consultative Assembly (PCA) and the Co-Convenor representing the civilian sector of the People’s Coalition for National Salvation (PCNS). She resides with her husband and three children alternately in Quezon City, Philippines and in Guinobatan, Albay at the foot of Mt. Mayon in the Bicol Region. She can be reached by mail at Maguiron, Guinobatan, Albay or at her email address lindamontayre[AT]yahoo[DOT]com or through her cellphone 09162359533.

Comments

“Thanks for the book. Princess and I read it, enjoyed it and learned a lot. Thanks for writing it. I will recommend it to friends…”
          - Fmr. UP President Dodong Nemenzo

“I have read your book, am now at page 217. Your experience is worth sharing with people who have gone through the same. Your chapter on ‘Remembering our martyrs and heroes’ is a most appropriate battlecry in these trying days…My brother shed blood for the national democratic cause in Mindanao, my sister in law was raped and beheaded with a priest in Bakun, Benguet. I was once captured and tortured a long time ago with my spiritual guide. I will be one with you in making the final chapter!”
          - P. Arce

“What you have written are all my observations since I was young. Brilliantly written and expressed. It is indeed very sad that a big majority of us do not realize where we are in. Thanks for writing this book.”
          - Benie Mejia

“The book is great. You write very well…Am on retreat and am praying for you.”
          - Sr. Sue, RGS

“A Nation Unborn” is bold and daring, courageous and true. It is amazing how God works in your life. The road to your worthy Filipino Dream is a nightmare to GMA and her minions. You have stars in your eyes that will see this nation born. In your big dreams for tomorrow, I am with you! CONGRATULATIONS!
          - Bambi Perez

“Am halfway reading your book. Such daring and courageous life journal! I hope this gets wide readership. Prayers for your safety and Nelson’s.”
          - Sr. Iciang Lagahit

“Your book is so well written. It is riveting. Am actually enjoying it.”
          - Fmr. Cong./Atty. JV Bautista

“Congratulations for your legacy to the Filipino people. I pray that soon the dream nation will be born – during our lifetime. Thanks and see you in Namibia.”
          - Sr. Sally Fajardo, OSB

“Thank you for the book. Am honored to have been part of your life story and the hope of this nation’s birthing…”
          - Darn Cervantes

“Finally had time to read you ‘unputdownable’ book last night. It is an epic. ‘Dapat isapelikula.’ You are a living heroine.”
          - Fmr. Ambassador Roy Seneres

“A Nation Unborn” is selling like hotcakes. Whether you agree with the author or not, it still makes good reading on a rainy night…”
          - Fmr. Senate Pres. Ernie Maceda

“With her book, this former nun, who remains a devout Catholic and fervent devotee of the Virgin Mary, formally joins the ranks of the rising movement against US imperialism whose post-war qualities were personified by the late Claro M. Recto and the Nationalist Citizens Party which he co-founded with the late Lorenzo Tanada, Renato Constantino and a host of others who believed that the nationalist revolution of Bonifacio, aborted by US imperialism, remains to be completed and should be completed if this nation is ever to escape the poverty trap and put an end to the dehumanization of the Filipino.”
          - Prof. Alejandro Lichauco