Philippine Independence

I wish we can truly say we are free. Once upon a time there was indeed freedom from our oppressors, from those who set foot on our soil and took over our land and our lives. Once upon a time there was jubilation. But after a while, how far has the Filipino gone as far as his self realization and self actualization is concerned? We are still under the dominion of the foreign influence. It is prerequisite to our economic stability, so they say. And that's what makes me really sad. Are we really truly free?