Proceedings of the first Independence congress : held in the city of Manila, Philippine islands, February 22-26, 1930 / Published under the direction of Dean maximo M. Kalaw, executive secretary, University of the Philippines.

WOMEN'S SECTION

291

It is because the answers to them have been advanced repeatedly in the form of bugaboos by selfish interested groups
that many people have allowed such fears to exaggerate themselves and to take the better of them. And I must say also
that many of us women have passed through the same experience.
This Congress has made possible a most sincere and open
discussion of the very facts that have constituted the basis of
fears with regard to independence. Men best qualified to speak
on the varied subjects treated have given us the cold realities;
some in the form of absolute, plain statements, shorn of
imaginary embellishments; others in terms of figures, statistics,
and carefully studied estimates. Contrary to what has been
anticipated by the opponents of independence, our future problems, our shortages, our handicaps have been exposed, analyzed,
and thrashed openmindedly in the eagerness to show the truth.
Yes, it is admitted that we are going to have some very grave
problems as an aftermath to independence. Our exports will
suffer, our trade will decrease, our income will be reduced, and
new expenses will be met such as those of national defense and
many other items that an independent government must
provide for. But such conditions are necessary in the process
of adjustment. They are, however, temporary. And the
earlier we make provisions to meet them the abler we shall
find ourselves in minimizing the losses incident to adjustments.
We have to prepare our attitude toward the unpleasurable
consequences that might come. The difficulties that must be
confronted will have to be solved. There is no way out of
them. Fears are dispelled not by evading their cause but by
actually facing it with a determination to overcome it. Hesitation and timidity only delay action and take one nowhere.
Whoever learns how to swim braves the risk of death, plunging into the water, since nothing can be accomplished by keeping away from it.
If sacrifices are to be made for our independence, let us have
them take place sooner. The torture of any expected pain
that is slow in coming is greater, indeed, than that of an
intensive one that is immediately experienced.