By Cate de Leon
Tagline: Send comments to catgdeleon@ yahoo.com or drop the author a line at http://writer-cat.livejournal.com.
I RECENTLY attended an anthropological lecture on Philippine tribes by Prof. Cherubim Quizon at the UP College of Arts and Letters. But what interested me more was not the lecture itself, but the very first question posed by a woman in the audience, a professor in speech communication. Her words:
"While I honestly enjoyed learning about our ancient origins, I have to admit that I've always had a very colonial mindset. Because it seems that if we were to go back to our roots, the result would be entirely regressive. I don't even know how to answer my students' queries on nationality; because when they graduate, the only jobs waiting for them are those in call centers. So kindly help me out. Right now I can't see the point in cultivating who we really are as Filipinos."
It was a question I have also been asking myself--and I wondered if anybody in the room was capable of answering it objectively. And not with irrelevant passion and poetry, which was all being Filipino had become to me.
A man in the audience stood up and started his speech by clarifying that he was not a nationalist, but a humanist. He said he specialized in analyzing the structure and maximizing the potential of the human being.
Referring to Quizon's lecture, he re-stated that three very important words in the Filipino psyche are 'kamag-anak' (kinship), 'kasama' (companionship), and 'kakilala' (acquaintanceship).
To more effectively explain the given terms, he gave both new and old examples, like how he once brought home a can of corned beef, knowing it was his family's favorite. He returned a week after to find the can untouched. Why didn't they eat it, he asked, and they explained that the neighbors might catch a whiff of the food as they cooked it, and then they'd feel obliged to share.
He also cited how hospital rooms in our country have to have two beds--one for the patient, and another for the bantay (caregiver). And if you plan on bringing a get-well-soon gift, it must be food so that the bantay can have some as well.
The fact that we like to eat in groups was also taken into consideration. Whether it's lunch, dinner, or merienda at a fishball stand, we like to invite other people to eat along. And when we see a friend eating by himself, we ask why he is alone and if he's alright, even offering him our company.
If you've ever thrown a party, you probably know the frustration when no one calls the R.S.V.P. number. Now the thing about R.S.V.P. is that you're asking the person individually if he/she is coming to your party. But Filipinos don't like the thought of showing up alone at social gatherings. As a result, all the days leading up to the party are spent asking around and waiting for confirmation from friends on whether or not they are going as well--because as guests we want to make sure we'll have enough people to talk to (kausap) when we get there.
The speaker also gave examples highlighting our other traits, like how we prefer to have all the sauces and seasonings laid out before us so we can concoct our own dips, as opposed to how in restaurants abroad, people simply eat the food as it is served.
He added that even the recurring tendency among Filipinos to be late for everything, such as dates, classes, meetings, and appointments, is due to how we've always had a timeless concept of time. The terms "sharp" and "on the dot" most certainly didn't come from us. In band rehearsals, for example, the processes of tuning up and making music often overlap; there is no definite end to the former and beginning to the latter.
Recall too how at the end of social gatherings, we linger in each other's company. Even the goodbyes take forever. One moment we're saying goodnight, the next we're laughing and sharing a short anecdote, which for some reason we forgot to tell earlier when it was still time for exchanging stories.
The speaker summarized, "As a people, we've always been highly relational and participatory. We are not innately individualistic and authority-centered as the Americans are--as we've been trying to be. That's why most of us don't follow traffic rules, and we throw our trash where the sign says we shouldn't--because we're not used to simply being told what to do by some "other." Instead, we're geared towards co-creation and cooperation when setting goals and accomplishing tasks. But sadly, these qualities have not graduated into a civic consciousness. (Not to mention that) we have absolutely no national consciousness."
Hearing him say these things, I began to understand that perhaps the real problem lies not in how we've been falling short of certain standards, but in how we still knock ourselves out trying to be something that we're not.
For the most part of my life, I've been guilty of having (and denying) a colonial mindset. But I don't blame myself for it because as a young and eager-to-learn student, it was all I was made to understand. The concept of being proudly Filipino was taught to us in abstract and vague terms. We never really knew what to be proud of.
Colonial mentality, however, was more concretely demonstrated to us. A perfect example was how popular I was with my high school teachers and classmates, just because I spoke fluent English. I highly doubt they would have looked up to me as much had I been just as skilled at speaking Tagalog. It was only in my college years at the University of the Philippines that patriotism started to make practical sense, and was no longer just a sentimental, moral obligation.
As music majors, though we studied the works of western classical composers, we were also educated on and constantly reminded to practice and cultivate our own music--especially if we were to go on international tours.
"So what if you can give them a perfect rendition of, say, Bach's choral works?" one of my professors used to say. "They've heard such pieces countless of times before. And don't you think it would be absurd to travel all the way to these faraway countries just to give them yet another taste of their own music?"
If you apply the same reasoning to how we look up to English-speaking people, you'd realize how pathetic and inferior it is for us to prize something that is so common to the British and Americans--which is why I have since ceased to be ignorantly cocky about being ingglisera (English-speaking).
Not that speaking foreign languages, flying to other countries, and learning from other people is a bad thing. It's one of our biggest assets: how easily we can communicate, relate, and adapt to other cultures, especially since the advent of globalization.
But we're also urgently in need of finding our true identity. And until we do, we'll be perpetually stuck trying to fit into governmental and societal structures handed down to us by our colonial captors. Until we figure out a system of living that will truly work for us, especially in this modern age, our society will remain just as dysfunctional as it has been for the longest time, with most of our fresh and highly educated graduates trying hard to ease into fake, second-rate American accents in order to get by.
Thanks Cate for your truthful words about us Pinoys!
Siguro mas maigi kung sinulat mo ito sa Pilipino.
salamat sa pagsulat mo nito :-)
Can anybody please inform me/all Pilipinos what our roots are? Are we of Malay/Polenesian/Spanish/Indian/Chinese or whatever descent? This is because my grandfather is a cabeza de barangay during the spanish times..my mother says her family name is Indian and my grandmother has chinese blood running thru her veins.... what am I then... or what are Pilipinos if not mongrels with no definite breed....
Thanks Cate. I can appreciate the different flavors of Pinoy friendships even our social and behavioral attributes. But not being on time and not replying to RSVP is another story. Siguro decades ago, that would not have mattered much. But with the Pinoy diaspora (we're working in at least 123 countries), being on time at work or socially, and answering to rsvp are two 'dysfunctionalities' that will work against us. Puede pang baguhin, kailangan i-emphasize sa school at the earliest levels.
Napakahirap maunawaan kung bakit pilit natin ikinukumpara ang ating bayan sa ibang bayan. Kung atin pong susuriin, ang nakikita natin sa ibang bayan ay yaong lamang mga magaganda dahilan sa ito tulad ng magagandang larawan, subalit walang katotohanan. Ang larawan na makikita mo sa turismo ay walang bahid kapangitan upang maging kaaya-aya sa mga tagalabas. Subalit kung ikaw ay maninirahan sa ibang bayan, makikita mo na maroon ding mga alikabok, may mahirap at mayaman, may mabubuti at mga halang. Dahil kung sadyang napakagaling ng ibang bayan, sila dapat ay wala nang mga paaralan at mga pulis upang magbantay ng katahimikan.
Kapag nakikita ko na pinipilit natin na gagapin ang mga gawi ng ibang bayan, naiisip ko na para nating dinadamitan ng magagarang damit ang isang paslit na pilis nagpupumiglas. Matapos ang damitan, makalingat ka lang, ang paslit hayun, hubad na nagtatatakbo sa labas. Wala pong mali sa paslit na sadyang sumusunod sa kanyang likas na pagiging paslit kundi sa damit na ating pinasusuot na hindi sukat, mainit, at maaari ring makati sa katawan. Pinipilit po natin sabihin na mali ang mga Pilipino dahil hindi katulad sa ibang bayan - ngunit kung ikaw ay mangingibang bayan, ganoon din ang kalagayan na iyong makikita bukod na nga lamang kung ika'y nabubulagan. Kung tayo po ay nabubuhay na maligaya ang kamalian na ating nakikita ay nasasa-atin pong mga isipan.
I think it is our culture, customs and tradition of being filipino.
There is nothing wrong with that.
We don't have to adopt other cultureand embede on us but rather enhance and propagate our culture, of being filipino.
We cannot change what we grown up to. We cannot change what we have learned from our environment, for it is where our culture and traditions thrive.
Being a filipino is not looking for mistake, We don't need to correct the mistake.
It is part of being filipino.
What I mean to say, the 3K's in our life. That is sharing, we share to our family, relatives and neighbor.
Well, that is a good trait. Unlike americans, kanya kanya and don't care. But they are what they are.
That is their customs, to be alone and independent.
So, being filipino is being ourselves as filipinos. We must be proud of that. Let other culture copy our culture.
We can learn from other nationalities but for me, what we are, is most important.
We filipinos are socialistic people hindi lang high society.
Maraming kakilala at kaibigan.
That is Pinoy.
“While I honestly enjoyed learning about our ancient origins, I have to admit that I’ve always had a very colonial mindset. Because it seems that if we were to go back to our roots, the result would be entirely regressive. I don’t even know how to answer my students’ queries on nationality; because when they graduate, the only jobs waiting for them are those in call centers. So kindly help me out. Right now I can’t see the point in cultivating who we really are as Filipinos.”
Before we became Filipinos, we were called Indios, by the hybrid peninsulares ( the first to register as Filipino citizens).
Our ancestors were part of the Sri Vishayan empire that spanned from Madagascar to some island in the Pacific. Visayan dialects share more words with Bahasa and Malagasy than Tagalog.
Today, only the Visayas islands can be identified with that great empire. The capital of the empire was Srivijaya on the outskirts of Palembang, Indonesia.
The world-famous Visayan martial arts of stick fighting is one of the most famous legacies of this great empire.
We became dysfunctional Pinoys after 400 years of Spanish rule.
Ako ay isang Filipino na guro dito sa Amerika. Ang asawa ko ay isang Amerikano. Sa aking obserbasyon ito ang mga katangian ng mga Filipino, lalo na ang mga naninirahan sa ibang bansa:
• Ang mga Filipino dito sa Amerika ay mapasalamat. Dahil sa oportunidad na nakamit para magtrabaho dito at kumita ng malaki sila ay puno ng disiplina, may takot sa batas, at pinagbubuti ang trabaho nila.
• Ipinag mamalaki ang pinangalingan nila. Ibinabahagi nila ang kanilang katutubong pagkain, sayaw, wika, at sinseridad sa pakikipag kaibigan sa lahat ng pagkakataon.Kapag meron ako bagong nakikilalang banyaga, ipinagmamalaki at ibinibida nila ang mga kaibigan at kakilala nilang Filipino.
• Sa apat na taon na pagsasama naming ng asawa ko, mag pasa hangga ngayon palagi nya pinupuri ang pagiging Filipina ko; maasikaso, mapag mahal at matapat. Palagi nya sinasabihan mga kaibigan o kakilala nya na mag hanap ng Filipina na asawa kung gusto nilang sumaya ang buhay nila =) Marami siya ka trabaho na Filipinos kaya nakakatiyak siya sa kanyang sinasabi.
• Ang hindi ko lang talaga maintindihan ay ang inggit sa bawat isa na nagbibigay daan sa sinasabi nating “crab mentality”. Ka kikitaan ang mga maraming Filipino dito sa ibang bansa. Nakaka lungkot =(
Ang sa akin lang ay kung tayong mga Filipino ay mabigyan lang ng tayo na mga lider na mamumuno ng may katapatan at pagmamahal sa atin, di lang tayo uunlad kung hindi magiging matatag ang ating pagkakakilanlan bilang Filipino.
I beg to disagree that Americans are "kanya kanya and don’t care". This is a generalisation. This statement does not stand with any other nationality either. I met a lot of friendly people just a few weeks past when I was in San Francisco. Some people would approach me as I decipher my map and ask, "Do you need help finding a place?" May I also point out the phenomenon of social networking sites such as Facebook, Couchsurfing and Twitter? All of these indicate the level of concern - or curiosity - that people have for each other's lives. Different societies have their own ways of living, but it does not necessarily mean one is more superior than the other. Or that one has more flaws. It simply means that we have all developed different preferences.
Cate, if you could only be more specific why we urgently need a true identity, i don't believe that we are dysfunctional because of our identity. And could you come up with an identity that would fit the Filipinos other than being Filipino?
another point is you mentioned that we urgently need to find a system of living that will truly work for us. Our system of living is too complex to be changed and any reforms would take times. And what about the term 'colonial mentality' i think this is a mis-used term, hindi ba dapat matotohan at gayahin natin kong anong magandang ugali ng iba, lalo na sa kaalaman. Ang masama kong pati ang pangit na pamamaraan ng iba ay gayahin mo. Kong dysfunctional ang ating systema ay dahil sa atin, marami pa tayong dapat malaman, tulad ng 'common interest', kailangan malaman at maintindihan natin na ang national interest ng ating bansa ay mas matimbang kay sa ating mga individual interest. And I believe that our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal understood it very well to the extent that he sacrificed his life for our country.
Dapat malaman natin at paniwalaan natin na ang pagpili ng mga national leaders natin ay national interest ng ating bansa na dapat hindi dahil kaibigan o kamag-anak o idolo mo o binayaran ka ay iboboto mo sa eliksyon. Marami pa tayong dapat malaman at maintidihan bago tayo maging maunlad at mapayapa. Almost everything relating to the problems of our country needs a process, because its us, Filipinos.
Totoo na tayo po nagmula sa iba't ibang ninuno at kultura - subalit tayo po sa kasalukuyan ay hindi na tulad ng ating mga ninuno - sa katotohanan, tayo po ay hindi mamumukhaan ng ating mga ninuno. Tayo po ay hindi tulad ng mga Pilipino mula sa isang daan taon na nakaraan. Hindi rin tayo katulad ng Pilipino noong apat raang taon na nakaraan. Kung iisipin, hindi po sila Pilipino, dahilan ang Pilipino ay nagmula lamang noong ika-labing siyam na dantaon. Kung ipipilit natin ibalik ang nakaraan, tayo po ay waring mga hukluban na pilit bumabalik sa sinapupunan ng kanyang ina. Ang kasabihan na: "ang hindi tumanaw sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan" ay dapat dugtungan: - "ang nabubuhay sa nakaraan, ay walang kinabukasan".
It is interesting now that we seek our national identity and there is also widespread national awakening in the country when people around the world are seeking to be part of the global network.
It is comforting to realize what it meant to me to be a Filipino. The first three sentences of Our Pledge of Allegiance says, I love the Philippines. It is the land of my birth. It is the home of my people. These are good enough for me to call myself a Filipino. As for my values I don't think I can identify mine to the general public.
But what are we as Filipinos? It is as we are. It is we, as a colonized people. It is we who have crab mentality. It is we who believe that anything is good but made in the Philippines. I can mention dozens of Filipino traits and qualities positive and negative, and these what made us whole. These are the qualities that set us apart from Koreans, Chinese Japanese or anyone else. As for our qualities there is big room for improvement. But can it be that our weaknesses our strengths, too?
isa marahil na magandang basehan o mas ok na obserbasyon e 'KUNG' ikaw e kasali o kasama sa isang grupo Filipino man o hindi,civic,religious o sa trabaho na me-ilan kayong magkakababayan. At alam ko marami ang makapag-sasabi ng iba-ibang opinyon at obserbasyon,sa kanilang mga karanasan sa mga grupong nasalihan nila,...ngunit dapat e atin din isa-alang-alang ang ang kung ilang panahon silang kasapi o sumama sa grupo upang malaman din natin ang kung paano o saan na nakarating ang mga grupong ito sa kabila ng mga pagsubok at hamon at kung bakit at dahilan kung bakit nila nasasabi ang ganon,...at marahil kahit sa kalagayan natin ngayon 'yung nasaan na tayo,kahit pa nga after 400 yrs na,e marahil,magandang balikan din ang mga nakaraan,at ...sa pulitika e siguro pwedeng me-mga obserbasyon tayo,lalo pa't narito pa tayo at ang iba e tutuong naranasan ang halos bawat yugto,at kung sino o ano ang kalagayan ng bawat nagsulat o author at isa rin sa obserbasyon ko e mahalaga rin ang spirituality nila,upang malaman natin ang katapatan at katotohanan ng bawat isinulat niya,na walang bahid ng kasinulngalingan o pinapaboran,at kung mula sa kung anong grupo siya o kahit pa nga sa kung anong paaralan at institusyon siya at doon e makikita natin ang mga kaibahan ng kanikanilang pagsususlat at obserbasyon.At kahit pa nga tayo na mga indibidwal at sari-sariling opinyon lang e malaki rin ang magiging kaibahan,'isa sa naririnig ko lagi e 'e kung saan ito nanggagaling? at syempre sasabihin ng iba e,ah si kwan pala e! so kredibilidad din at mga karanasan at history ng kung paanong ang mga isinulat at opinyon nito e me-consistency at kung memga nabago man e dahilan sa kung ano ang kadahilanan,at 'kahit yun pa nga e,parang ngayon pa lang halos napag-uusapan lalo pa't tila nga ngayon e panahon ng mga pagtatama,sa ekonomiya, sa mga kung paano ang ginawa sa mga bansang me-giyera ngayon,environment,halos lahat ngayon e tuloy pa rin ang eka nga e 'evolution o evolving pa rin lahat at tuloy pa rin ang pag-aaral.Kahit pa nga mga batas e muli ina-update,kung paanong ang unjust law e gagawing tama o.At syempre...mabagal at 'eto yung mga Central bankers sabi e ,macro prudence daw talaga ang kailangan.So,tayo sa pulitika,dapat ganon din siguro at ang mabigat pag-sinimulan e,lilitaw na lahat,parang 'nagrerepair ng bahay na luma,pag-sinimulan na e yung maliit e yun pala e lahat na e kaingan ng palitan at ayun!!! kapos na sa budget,sa iba pang kailangan...SO HINDI NA NGA SIGURO PANAHON NG SISIHAN,...yung tila naghahabol na tayo,kahit paano,ha,ha at me pag-asa,kung...eto nga tayo ngayon e nakiki-isa na sa paglalahad ng mga opinyon at mga nakikita nating ginagawa na,at sana e kahit pa nga yung sabi e incremental changes,na both moral and effective e lalong higit na tayo e maging MATIYAGA AT MASIGASIG o to persevere lalo.
Sabi pa e,'The frustrations that comes from high expectations that earen'ty realized might be tempered by looking more deeply into the obstacles that block political and leagal change.'
At syempre magmumuni tayo sa mga 'ibat'ibang mga ke-raming mga sasalungain...
slow in a democracy,3 branches of gov, and then mga provinces o regions,...
Representative democracy,-a republic-clashes of contending interests.A result of free people at lalo pa kung free societ na tayo,at halos e ganon na ang Pilipinas.
At ang iba pa ang ke-raming mga opinyon,public,tulad natin ngayon,...legal constraints,syempre lahat e me-umuiral na halos na batas,...procedural hurdles,sa komite pa lang at bidding at house rules na tinatawag,mga partido political,,at SYEMPRE PERA-M-O-N-E-Y, and eto malala rin,human vices and weaknesses,at inakupo...napakarami nito at mahirap na harapin,...macho nurin,pugi,tigas-ulo,bida lagi,pikon,ayaw pasaway,at HINDI NAGDADASAL.at eto mahaba na!!!sorry po napasarap.marami pa...itutuloy--- pag-sinipag,..at yun pa,...'tamad!!! lalo sa pagbabago.So balik aral sa history at sana e yung tama raw!!!
E sa Saligang Batas pa nga tayo e,mukhang matatagalan na...buti na lang nagsisimula na uli...kahit hindi pa lahat nakikisali o kayang makisali lalo na't memga-tampo pa,...
I think we should look at the true reasons why we Filipinos are dysfunctional.
Our govt leaders are corrupt. Our system govt and private is corrupt. Not that other Asian countries are not, but ours is inherently apparent. We have no product, character traits, leader (except Pacquio) that we can be proud of. The only thing we export is our best people because they really have no choice. We need true leaders that will define who we really are. Sad but true.
i think our problem is that although we profess to be ´highly relational and participatory´ many of us lacked discipline and are selfish. instead of asking who we are as a filipino, may be the question is, what do we want to be?
Ayon po ako na ating saliksikin ang kasaysayan ng ating lupain magmula pa noong panahon ng ating mga ninunong katutubo. Ang nais ko kung magkagayon, ay maging makatotohanan ang pagsusuri di tulad noong dekada 70 hanggang 80 na may halong propaganda at pagmamagaling. Kailangan po natin ikumpara sa kasaysayan ng ating mga kalapit bayan sa Asia upang maging buo ang ating pananaw. Kailangan din po natin alamin ang mga digmaan na ating sinaniban mula noong ika-15 dantaon. Napapansin ko na ang kasaysayan natin nuong panahon ng Kastila ay yaon lang mga pag-aaklas at tila ba hindi buo. Bakit kaya hindi natin gawain na ang pamahalaan noong panahon na yaon ay kasama ng ating kasaysayan sa mabuti man o hindi upang maging ganap ang ating pananaw. Kailangan natin sabihin ang ganap na kasaysayan, masakit man ito dahil ito ang katotohanan.
Are we now Homer Dysfunctionally pinoy? or Makatao at Marunong magrespeto sa ating nakakataas at Unang Bathala Panginoong DIYOS or GOD the creator of the scattered philippine islands.
It is really funny how these letter writers describe the filipinos and philippines.
Like this one dysfunctionally pinoy, the other one the funny way of loving the Philippines.
To fast forward, what they see are all the bad and not the good.
Well, that is typical pinoy we all see the bad and the ugly.
We are meticulous of what we are, we don't appreciate of what we are.
There is always something wrong, there is always something not good.
Instead of praise, we assail.
As they say, we see the hole of a needle but not hole of an ax.
Maybe, if we start appreciating what we are and what we are accustomed to as good, then we are a functional race not dysfuntional as the author suggests.
I felt more of a Filipino as a read your article. I have been in touch with my existence for a long time now, yet I have not been able to identify myself as a Filipino effectively. I was able to adapt to numerous circumstances and situations yet, I have never been an individual.
Your article inspires the Filipino in me, I felt a touch of nationalism in your essay. This comforts and strikes a deep root in my heart. We Filipinos have been to busy "growing out" but not too interested in "growing in". What will our children see in ours? Will they follow our steps and move in towards "growing out"?
Let us at least make an effort to pave the way to a society with a genuine Filipino blood. We may never be able to see it in full bloom, but at least we were able to start a strong foundation for future leaders of this country.
If we are highly-relational and participatory...why is that crab mentality one of our rotten traits? Another question is that are we Filipinos? Even Filipinos overseas tend to cluster based on their ethnicity (i.e., Ilocano, Cebuano, etc.). How can we then say that we have an identity or a collective consciousness as a Filipino?
Sol's right - and in the immortal words of Martin Luther King:
'we aien't what we ought to be, we aien't what we wanna be, but thank God, we aien't what we used to be."
"Recall too how at the end of social gatherings, we linger in each other’s company. Even the goodbyes take forever. One moment we’re saying goodnight, the next we’re laughing and sharing a short anecdote, which for some reason we forgot to tell earlier when it was still time for exchanging stories."...
You forgot to mention about the "take home food" or "bring home food", a typical Pinoy request after the party. Most of my non-Pinoy guests find this amusing. I always end up telling them it's the Pinoy culture.
That's why I limit my parties at the hotels or restaurants.
It is all about our cultural differences and our individualism that makes us dysfunctional. We have different ways of doing things and that we oftentimes do not reach consensus. Filipinos lack the concept of solidarity, which is essential in nation building. Likewise, we love freedom up to the extent that we have abused it to the fullest. Like for example there is always a loophole in our laws. We have a concept of leadership but we do not want to be led by somebody because everybody wants to be a leader. We are irrationally stubborn and stubbornly irrational as a people and sometimes we did not fully understand the meaning of RESPECT for we use for it for self-exaltation. We are not even very consistent in our decisions for fear of not being ‘marunong makisama’. We also like to exaggerate our actions just to stand out. In the end, it is not about finding our true identity to make us functional as a person, as people, and eventually as a nation, because we will never find a single Filipino identity. And we have to accept this reality. It is about finding out the best within us, what we can do, how we can change the miserable situation this country has into. After all it all comes down to our values, the personal choices and decisions we make starting at home with our families. What we should to is to find the right values for us to function well in a dysfunctional society and system. And we’ll be surprised to learn that what it takes sometimes is just a matter of common sense.
The Western ppl can't distinguish Filipinos from Mexicans physically (except maybe from the nose, hehehe). While they really like Filipinos' great work ethics (hardworking, resilient, flexible, trustworthy, very loyal, don't complain much) and God-fearing attitude (never misses Sunday masses), they can't seem to fathom why Filipinos don't seem to have a unity (jealousy, gossip mongers and crab mentality are abound). Filipinos don't seem to have a big impact to the world except for being nannies or helpers (in order to survive)...due to the corruptness of our government (sigh).
What was narrated are all true.
That's our filipino way, we are more of a pakikisama type of person.
That is our trait, that is our customs.
In time of needs, in time of sorrows, filipinos are there to help, to console and support.
I don't take that as a weak point of being a filipino, nor a disadvantage.
Well, filipinos have this spirit called Bayanihan... a true spirit of a true filipino.
A spirit that was culminated and inculcated in our heart, mind and soul that still lingers on us.
I take that as a strong point of every filipino... the bayanihan spirit that
means tulong tulong para sa ikauunland ng sambayanan.
You should read this interesting article posted by Ellen Tordesillas in her blog. The article is “Why the Filipino is special” by Ed Lapiz,
http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=105
To Mang Goding's -- do we really just see the bad and not the good, do we merely assail and not praise? I don't think so. Read the numerous online comments out there after the win of Pacquaio, or those relating to Charice and Arnel Pineda. We are quite quick to defend our own when someone tries to say something nasty about the Pinoys. And most times, we do sound overly defensive - showing that we are an emotional lot.
If we see the bad and the ugly, how then do we explain having corrupt people in power? Is it perhaps we just look, grind our teeth and choose not to do anything about it?
I, too, am wondering who we truly are - what really is a Filipino, what defines us? Perhaps knowing the answer would help move us forward. We've been down the pits for a while now. Look at how the other economies in Asia prospered while we languish, relying heavily on remittance from those overseas.
A lot of us are defined by our circumstances, our need at the moment, our responsibilities. We are the guys at the call center with faux American accent because the accent is our edge. We are the snobbish professional in Singapore or Hong Kong because we do not want to be associated with the domestic helps. We are those posting personal attacks on other bloggers because we could not admit that others are truly better than us. We are the domestic helper, slaving it out, because we need to provide for our family. We are the street-children begging for attention... begging that someone lifts a finger to improve our plight...
Tungkol sa masasamang ugali tulad ng crab mentality at iba pa, makikita po natin ito sa lahat ng bayan, tayo nga lang pong mga Pilipino ang nag-iisip na tayo ang may monopoliya sa lahat ng masasamang ugali sa mundo. Bilang bansa, marahil ay hindi pa nga tayo matatag, dahilan sa ang tingin natin sa pamahalaan ay isang magulang na nagpapatupad ng batas at hindi nakikinig sa mga mamamayan. Marahil nga, ang kasalukuyang systema ng pamahalaan ay katulad pa rin ng isang koloniya. Bakit po hindi natin ibaba at ilapit ang pamahalaan sa mamamayan, upang magkarinigan. Kung mangyayari po ang gayon ang namamahala at pinamamahalaan ay magiging iisa. Nang sa gayun, kilala ng mga mamamayan ang katauhan ng sinomang namumuno.
Poverty , is so powerful that it is hard to be nationalistic. We have to be selfish in order to survive. We see our leaders who are corrupt. it is hard to be involve in our society because we are tired of the same thing. We'll rather think how to survive. I only became patriotic when I left Philippines. Now I have money. I can help my nieces/ nephews to go to school. and I suddenly so miss Philippines that I read the news all the time and the tagalog/ Kundiman I miss so much even " baduy " movies I'm longing for. Then I think how I can help my country . It is thru education . I'd like to form an educational foundation. The mission is to teach our children the True History of our country and filipino Literature and music , Arts and crafts. But then again children have to have food in their stomach to learn. ultimately we have to fix the poverty in our Country; we all need to help each other. one last thing, don't fixate too much about our " identity " the way I do it I pick the good traits of each. Never stop learning. so what if pinoys are dysfunctional ! it can be fix it has to start from within . colonial mentality so what ! just be yourself and always do the best you can. and when you have money help the kids to go to school.
I think Cate's piece is fine the way it was written especially if it is the way that she best expresses herself. Jose Rizal wrote in Spanish but did that make his writings any less Filipino or patriotic?
Today's Filipino is who he is, we can dissect him to death. Measured against himself, he needs no jusitification. It is when we measure the Pinoy against the standards of other countries and cultures that the pinoy himself begins to ask questions.
I totally agree with Obet that we are more aware of our internal regionalism/ethnicity than our supposed nationalism. I for one identifies more with being an igorot rather than being a pinoy. While growing up in the remote mountains of the Cordillera, the filipino language is just a posh name for tagalog only spoken in language class and by some distant people in manila. There is a feeling that claiming to be a pinoy is more of a claim to a tagalog language and culture rather to a collective fusion of different ethnic and equally important cultures. The result is a fractured, unseamless and confused consciousness of being a filipino. The blame rests not on the nation's geography but rather more on weak, unqualified leaders who fail to put the nation's interest well above their own. Bad leadership has created this comlex web of corruption and deceit so ingrained to the community that it became part of us. Its a long way for us to get to answer to that burning question of what is it to be a filipino but simply asking that question has already made the work halfdone.
Wala pong mali kung malakas ang regional o ethnic consciousness natin. Sa lahat ng bayan, iyan po ang kalakaran. Ang tawag po diyan, "being local", "small town", "grass roots", at iba pa. Ang mali po ay kung sa pinakamababang antas ng pamahalaan, o sa "local level" pa lamang ay pinababayaan na natin ang corruption at duon pa lamang ay hindi na pinakikinggan ang ating mga naisin. Kung iisipin po lahat ng pamunuan ay nagsisimula sa "local" tulad ng mga representante at mga pinuno. Sa mga lokal na presinto po natin malalaman kung nagkabilihan o nagkanakawan ng boto. Sa lokal na "level" din natin malalaman kung ang mga politiko ay nagtitinda ng ipinagbabawal na gamot o sila ay may mga upahang sanggano. Sa lokal na "level" po nagsisimula ang demokrasya.
English is the Phil.’s second language. Every Filipino is expected to be proficient in the English language (both oral and written). But then, we should define the English language in the Phil. context. Being able to speak English does make us an American, a British, Australian or any English speaking nationality in the world. We should learn to appreciate the value of English in our life. English should strengthen us as a people and not be a hindrance to our development. Madali bang mag issue ng guidelines ang government sa English or in Filipino?
Remember, people like Manny, Nora or Lucio are not proficient in the English language. The point is we should not lose sight of our vision of what we want for our country and who we are.
I remember this story in the Oil Refinery in the Middle East were two Pinoys were conversing in English. This Arab Supervisor asked them why they are talking to each other in English when he knows that both of them are pinoys. Sabi nung isa, well sadik (friend) you see he is not a Filipino, he is bisaya.
I agree with George, Obet and Middle MD. Our nationalism should be made stronger than our regional and local conciuosness. Of course, there is no problem being aware of our local heritage but better to keep it to ourselves at the personal level when it comes to nation building. If we want a single genuine Filipino identity then we must forget that we are Ilocanos, Bisayans, Ifugaos, Igorots, Tagalogs etc, and that we must forget that our countrymen is an Ilocano, Bisaya, Igorot, Ifugao, Tagalog etc. Its true, we are a nation of cultural and geographic diversity but that diversity is keeping us apart. Instead of thinking that we are uniquely different, we should be contemplating on the very potential of each of our countrymen. Given a proper education, a child of a farmer in Negros or Sagada has the potential to be a NASA scientist, or a daughter of a DH from Saudi could become the next Nobel Price winner. Its not impossible. When it comes to good governance and economic efficiency, we can look at how the European Union model works where the key is thinking globally but acting locally and responsibly. May Chokshi made a good point, Never stop learning and share what you learn!. Filipinos are big fishes in a small pond, and there is so much oppurtunity for learning outside the Philippines. I myself is working and studying in Europe but the valuable lessons and experience learned are shared back home. We can solve corruption by being vigilant and critical with our choices during elections and even by not making any choice at all. We should not be mislead by the ideals of communism or another EDSA by hoping to change our government, what we really need is a gradual change in our mindset and maturity of our conciousness towards a single Filipino goal of global competence in every best thing we can do.
correction. being able to speak english does not ....
Being Filipino...it is really not that difficult. As long as you can still say you're a Filipino proudly, whether you speak English well or not doesn't matter. I am married to a white, California born man, so I can say with certainty that I have been heavily enmeshed in another culture. What I can say is that it is good to know how to speak and write English well for the purpose of communication. I finished a master's degree in an American University and it was very helpful that I know the English language....so it's okay to be really fluent in any other language. Don't be too harsh on those who speak English well. I love your article though, I am always on lookout to explain some of my thought patterns (and my kamag-anak's as well).
Of all the countries in Asia Filipinos are the only one ashamed of their looks. The Koreans, Japanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese etc, etc are proud of who they are. When a Filipino baby is born the first comment , is the baby flat nose or dark skin? Over 90% of the Filipinos are dark and have flat nose look around you. Filipinos obsession with big nose and light skin to me is hilarious but sad. When someone does not like their face how about a whole country. This has grave effect on how you look at yourself. Self-Esteem problem. Filipinos treat light skin people with big nose's differently, sort of like "Masters" they act inferior I've seen it. Look at your entertainment industry. Can't sing, can't act and can't dance actors and actress that look a certain way and people love them. I don't understand it and It breeds mediocrity.
Hindi po ako ayon na upang maging mabuting Pilipino ay dapat nang kalimutan ang ating taal na tribong pinagmulan. Kung tayo po ay tapat sa ating tribo, ito ay nangangahulugan na tayo ay tapat ding Pilipino. Ang tungkulin ng isang representante ng isang tribo ay ipagsanggalang ang kanyang tribo sa malalakas na mga grupo, ipaabot ang tinig ng kanyang tribo sa pamahalaan, at magdala ng kaunlaran sa kanyang tribo. Kung sino man sa kanyang sariling tribo ang magsamantala sa kanyang mga kababayan, katungkulan niyang humingi ng tulong sa pamahalaan. Kung anumang kapasyahan ng pamahalaan ay makapipinsala sa kanyang tribo, katungkulan niyang hingiin ang tulong ng ibang tribo upang tutulan ito. Tayo po ay mga tribong nagkakabuklod sa ilalim ng bandila ng bayan. Bawat tao ay naiiba, tulad ng bawat tribo ay naiiba, at gayon din bawat bansa ay naiiba. Hindi po natin dapat itakwil ang ating katauhan upang maging tunay na Pilipino, dahil ang ating katauhan, ang ating tribo ang ating kontribusyon sa Pilipino.
Jorson says;
"Of all the countries in Asia Filipinos are the only one ashamed of their looks. The Koreans, Japanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese etc, etc are proud of who they are."
tirador says;
I beg to disagree with your statement because to me its like issuing a blanket statement against your fellow Filipinos. First and foremost, you can't speak for the Koreans, Japanese, Malaysians, and Vietnamese for the simple reason that you dont even know whats on their mind. Are you 100% sure that all these people are proud of who they are? maybe some but not all.
Second, you cant speak for the minds of all Filipinos whether they're here or abroad. Again, its not 100% representation of our sentiments, self prejudices and biases.
Third, a bunch of those nationalities that you mentioned have already acquired their US citizenships. Somehow, it means that they denounced their allegiance to their former countries but not in a bad light...maybe or maybe not. Have you thought about that?
To Jorson,
Im sorry. I read your post once again and I just thought your not a Filipino at all, but just the same my comment goes to you...he he he
You can't speak for the entire Filipino nation whoever you are and wherever you came from. We have no difference to settle because our sh#t smells the same, isnt it?
These are all true but these maladies can be traced during the colonization of Spain in our country. As it is called the Spanish history of the Philippines.
The spaniards had caused us so much, brainwashed and enslaved us which resulted to the atrophy of our mind and spirit.
During Rizal's time, the natives were treated as slaves because they are not white like them. They were restricted to be educated, as Jagor found the Philippines "few opportunities for amusement" and claimed "no readable books." At that time they were deprived of learning because the spaniards knew if the indios will become educated it will result to their defiance to Spain.
As Rizal said "an educated native is a dangerous native."
And until now, we are still bound from the past. We are still slaves of our time.
We need to find our roots as Filipinos and we can only find it if we study the life the First Filipino JOSE RIZAL.
"IF FILIPINOS READ MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL HERO THEY WOULD NOT ONLY GET TO KNOW RIZAL BUT UNDERSTAND THEMSELVES BETTER."
- AMBETH OCAMPO
Studying the life of Rizal makes me more proud to be a Filipino. He was the GREAT MALAY that the Philippines and whole of Asia can be proud of.
To Orlando Ocampo
The first inhabitants of the Philippines were Austronesian people originated from Taiwan. The Austronesian first stopped in the Philippines and others migrated to different parts of Southeast Asia, the Pacific and to as far as Madagascar. The Austronesian who stayed here were the ones who created first the civilization in the Philippines. They became the first Filipinos.
Pag-aralan nga marahil ng husto ang buhay ng ating Bayani Dr.Jose Rizal,at sana e maraming mga aklat na maging available,at dapat e simula elementarya,at yung mga matagal ng nagtapos o nakatapos mag-aral nito,e balik-aral, at sana e matutong mag-bahagi ng kaalaman,e karamihan pag-ganitong topic e,walang mga interes ang marami,lalo na't akala e pulitika ang pupuntahan,'tanungin mga asawa at karamihan e walang paki-alam.ha,ha'.' o balik Noli- o ito po baga ' yung-'Huwag mo akong salingin,o pwede rin kayang 'salingin 'maki-alam,o paki-alaman natin,o makilahok! ang dami ano po?
To Tirador,
I wish you were right. I'm from States and travel to Philippines a lot and spend months there at a time. I have friends from all over asia. Koreans, Vietnamese, Indians, etc, etc look down on mix races. They are proud of their race. Only the Filipinos are happy when they're mix with light skin people. Especially when the children are more white looking than Filipino looking. One of my favorite book is "Looking for the Prehispanic Filpino" Filipinos were once proud,tough, warrior, raiders like culture until Spain came.
Jorson,
There you go. That even makes me wonder why you keep on coming back to our country where you openly criticize my fellow Filipinos. Who cares if your from the states? Is that hypocrisy or stupidity? And yes by all means I was right and you are wrong.
I dont give a damn if you travel to the Philippines a lot or you fly to the moon, or any planet in outer space. The point of our contention here is for you to shut your mouth if your not 100% sure of what your talking about. Once again, you cant speak for the entire Filipino since youre not even a Filipino yourself. I met a lot of educated white people who knows how to respect and recognize people from other culture and background and likewise, some Filipinos do the same. When Im with these kind of people, then Im proud. But if Im gonna mix with people like you, I am sure I won't stoop down to your level. Not all Filipinos are proud when they mix with white people....for me it depends on their breeding and level of intellect . Believe me, I encountered a lot of foreigners whos worst than a less educated Filipino.....he he he he. Whats your point Jorson?
Jorson says;
"Koreans, Vietnamese, Indians, etc, etc look down on mix races. They are proud of their race."
Hey Jorson,
Your statement confused me. Can you clarify your statement? How come they look down on mix races and they are proud of their race? Im confused. Are you really from the states?
Higit na nanaisin ko ang Pilipino na nagagalak sa kanyang pagiging bunga ng magkahalong lahi, kaysa sa ibang bayan na labis ang tayog ng tingin sa sariling lahi. Dahilan sa ang labis na pagpapahalaga sa sariling lahi ay isang katangian ng mang-aalipin na ating kinasusuklaman sa ating kasaysayan. Ang ganitong katangian ang nagpasiklab sa ikalawang digmaang pandaigdig at ng kahindik-hindik na holcaust.
Kaya ang payo ko ay tignan natin ng mahinahon ang ating kasaysayan at hindi puno ng pagkamuhi at pagmamagaling. Patungkol kay Rizal, bakit hanggang sa huling sandali ay ipinipilit niya na siya ay tapat sa Espanya at bakit hindi niya tinanggap ang pagkapangulo na iniaalok ni Bonifacio?
Bakit hindi binura ng Espanya ang mga tribo na hanggang ngayon ay buhay pa na kung tawagin natin ay rehiyon o lalawigan at iba't iba nating mga wika? Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng colony? Ito po ay tulad lang ng immigration, ibig sabihin iyong mga kastila ay nanirahan sa Pilipinas. Nasasaan na po ang mga mananakop na sinasabi natin? Tayo po ang mga kaapu-apuhan nila. Nasa dugo po natin ang sinakop at ang nanakop. Hindi po natin maaaring salain ang ating dugo. Ang ipinaglaban po ng mga bayani ay ang pantay na pagtingin, dahil sa kanilang mga mata ay espanyol din sila. Kung ating pong babasahin ang mga lumang kasaysayan, hindi kayang sakupin kailanman ng espanya ang Pilipinas - kaya po namatay si Magallanes. Ang nakasakop po sa Pilipinas ay si Legaspi, subalit hindi kayang sakupin gamit ang sarili niyang tropa dahil kaunti sila. Nakipag-alyansa siya sa karamihan ng mga tribo upang gapiin ang ibang tribo. Nagawa niya ito dahilan sa magkakalaban ang mga tribo. Nakipag-alyansa siya sa mga tribo dahil nais niyang labanan ang Portugal na nasa Indonesia noong panahon na iyon at higit na makapangyarihan sa kanya. Nais din niyang lusubin ang Borneo dahil tuloy pa rin ang paglusob nito sa pampangin ng bayan. Puno ng digmaan ang panahon ng kastila subalit kung babasahin nating mabuti, mga Pilipino ang umaalalay sa kanila at hindi ang kabaligtaran. Kung iisipin sila ang pumigil sa labanan ng mga tribo at napag-isa nila ang mga pulo. Kahit na gaano ka-regionalistic ang mga Pilipino, nagkaroon tayo ng identity sa ilalim ng Espanya na iisa tayong kapuluan.
We were having our team building activity with the new Indian boss from Chennai. He thought of getting some people to stand in front to make the toast. He called out, "the tallest girl, come in front." Then the whole team would shout the name of the tallest girl and she will proceed from her seat. This went on until it was time to call for the most good looking guy. Right away the house was divided into two. The Indians chanting the name of an Indian guy and the Chinese for a Chinese guy, which went on for quite a while but in good cheer. If it were in the Philippines, it would've been very easy. Everyone would know who has the lightest skin and highest nose bridge.
An Indian teammate who has some taste for Chinese girls is brandished as weird. Apart from Indians, they usually like Malay, Filipinas, and African American whose skin tone is closer to theirs. My Chinese teammates have a narrower preference. One openly said, he likes chinese, japanese, and koreans but not caucasians because they look old. I couldn't say this is an isolated case because when I've shown another friend with a picture of a sizzling hot mestiza from my facebook account, he said "she's a bit cute but she looks very old." Deep inside me, I thought cute was the understatement of the century.
I have lots of stories of friends getting ditched by their girlfriends for white guys but they can't beat what my uncle once said. He quipped, "I don't believe God created men equal. Coz, why are the American's very good looking. They're white skinned and have high nose bridge. And we don't." So I talked to him about the subjectivity of beauty...about how similar or even more profound the obsession of Morrocans towards lighter skin is...but that's another story.
Unless you perform surveys, it would be easy to argue against each others propositions as inaccurate generalizations. Of course there are special cases but it doesn't take a Glutathione billboard falling down on me to realize how becoming not brown skinned is a huge industry in the Philippines. I'd have to give this one to Jorson.
Lastly, I'm not implying that appreciating other cultures or embracing diversity is wrong. It's just that embracing anything but yourself is hardly something constructive.
sorry... i think jamaicans :). my memory is floundering.