Raising Hope in a Failing System

JP de la Rama
May 11
3 min read

An Artist’s Response to Political Decay

"When the system crumbles and the future feels stolen, we raise our children with truth, creativity, and courage—because hope isn't found in ballots, it's built at home."

Setting the Stage

Election season is in full swing here in the Philippines. Posters plaster every surface, political jingles pollute the air, and once again, the circus begins.

For many, this season is an opportunity—to get their vote bought, to play the game, and to survive another cycle of deception.

But for the rest of us—the ones who still pay taxes, build a living online, and hope for real change—it’s just another reminder of how deeply broken the system is.

And honestly? It’s exhausting.

The Problem We Face

We live in a country where corruption isn't just a footnote—it's the headline. Every election is a rinse-and-repeat cycle of power-hungry officials buying loyalty from a population too exhausted or too desperate to resist.

We all know the stats. We all feel the slow rot of governance that was never meant to serve the people, just its own pockets.

And it hurts. Especially as artists and freelancers. We’re already working in a volatile, AI-disrupted industry with wages that barely keep up with inflation—now we're also expected to carry the weight of VAT and broken promises from the very leaders we never asked for.

Sometimes it feels like we’re trapped in our dystopian film—something between Mad Max and Black Mirror, but without the catharsis of a story arc.

But here’s the thing:

Even in dystopia, there are moments of clarity.

Of peace.

Of purpose.

How I Cope (And Maybe You Can Too)

In the middle of this chaos, I’ve found sanctuary in the quiet moments I share with my daughter. She reminds me that not everything is broken.

While the adults are busy selling out for a quick fix, she’s learning compassion, creativity, and curiosity. She’s learning what it means to care.

And in those moments—when we’re reading a comic, watching her favorite superhero, or just playing around—I remember why I keep going.

I may not be able to fix the system. But I can raise a better human.

As artists, creators, and storytellers, we hold one of the most powerful tools against hopelessness: imagination. The ability to see something better, to dream beyond what's handed to us, and to share that vision with the next generation.

That’s where real change begins—not from the corrupt halls of government, but in the quiet living rooms, art studios, and late-night sketch sessions where we pour love, rage, and resilience into something that might one day inspire someone else to rise up.