International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies Volume 7, Issue 1, 2020, PP 25-28 ISSN 2394-6288 (Print) & ISSN 2394-6296 (Online)
Matthew Fox’s Creation Spirituality: A Response to an Incomplete People Power Revolution Regina Flor O. Pena* Assistant Professor, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, (University of the City of Manila), General Luna St. corner Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines
*Corresponding Author: Regina Flor O. Pena, Assistant Professor, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, (University of the City of Manila), General Luna St. corner Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Metro Manila, Philippines. Email: rfopena@plm.edu.ph
ABSTRACT This paper attempts to situate the state of political affairs of the Philippines three decades or almost 34 years after the 1986 People Power Revolution. This research, with an analytical-descriptive method tries to clarify the place of Creation Spirituality within the context of the majority of the Filipino still living in poverty three decades after EDSA People Power I. I argued here that one way to respond to this „unfinished revolution‟ of social transformation is to reawaken the spirituality in politics as argued within the context of Matthew Fox‟s Creation Spirituality. Keywords: Politics, People Power, Creation Spirituality, Matthew Fox
INTRODUCTION In this paper, I started with the overview of the current state of poverty faced by most Filipinos. I utilized, as the backdrop of this research paper, the rise to power of our incumbent president Rodrigo Duterte as a result of the long standing democratic deficit that occur despite the high hopes of democratic restoration in 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. The major objective of this research work is to revisit the state of political affairs of our country three decades after, or almost 34 years after the 1986 People Power Revolution. The EDSA People Power Revolution is considered by contemporary political scientists as an incomplete process thereby placing our country in a problematic state of poverty among a significant number of Filipinos. Accordingly, this paper proposes a continuation of this revolution as it identifies a concrete response to this unfinished revolution of social transformation, by way of Matthew Fox‟s Creation Spirituality. A Neglected Public Impoverished Filipino public was described as “neglected” in an article written by Arguelles entitled, “The Rise and Rise of Rodrigo Duterte” published last December 25, 2016 by Asia Times (Arguelles, 2016).
Arguelles argued that this neglected and impoverished Filipino public had elected into power President Rodrigo Duterte due to the long standing democratic deficit of a nation who restored the very spirit of democracy in EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986. The post-Marcos leadership has failed to solve many of the problems that concern Filipinos. Despite promising national growth rates, the gains appear to have largely benefited the rich. More than 26 million Filipinos remain impoverished. This widening gap between rich and poor, recurrent domestic economic crises, epidemic levels of corruption and failed attempts to significantly reduce criminality, have left the public deeply frustrated (Arguelles, 2016). Conclusively, more than30 years after EDSA People Power I, instead of moving forward, the public felt neglected because the quality of life got even worse.
CREATION SPIRITUALITY Creation Spirituality is defined as an honoring all of creation as Original Blessing. It integrates the wisdom of Eastern and Western spirituality and global indigenous cultures, with the emerging scientific understanding of the universe and the passion of creativity. It is both a tradition and a movement, celebrated by mystics and agents of social change from every
International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies V7 ● I1 ● 2020
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