Makes Me Wonder...

Why a Filipino?

            The world has a lot of nations and cultures to offer. With over hundreds of countries to choose from, I sometimes wonder why God let me born as a Filipino. Why did he let me grow up in this island?  Why in a country where winter and spring does not exist? Why not somewhere else?

            Then I thought, why not?

            The Philippines, in its side of cultural practices and values, is very rich. Not only because it displays the true nature of a Filipino, these personalities and acts also sets him or her apart from another nationality of other countries. And the practice and learning of these values is growing up Filipino, the real me.

              My parents being both natural Filipinos never missed a chance to teach me many values of respect and obedience. I practiced displaying these teachings first and foremost inside our own family. When either one of them comes home after work, doing the “mano” is a default thing to do. Seeing me doing it is not just a matter of respect, but a sight that ensures that their daughter cares about them. Also, having my “opo” and “po” during conversations is a very courteous way of talking to them, setting a barrier of respect. Then these acts continue to the “extended” family: the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Doing this in a large family can really tire you I must say, but it establishes humbleness and respectfulness to each of them and I get the comment “Ang bait ng batang ito. Pagpalain ka ng Dios.”

             Attending school made me display a lot of Filipino personalities without noticing it, as well as seeing other people with the same nature. Alongside learning languages, maths, and sciences, I learned to be hardworking; that not everything comes in just a snap: you have to work hard for it. I knew how to be resourceful by taking down notes from the blackboard because there were no textbooks in a public school. I am also a great procrastinator: an expert of doing things at the eleventh hour, submitting papers on the deadliest deadline, and studying for a long exam a night before: a demonstration of the “ningas-kugon” and “mañana” habit traits. And when the expected output is not met, I just leave everything to fate. Despite of all these problems, I know how to smile and laugh. Even if I have difficult problem sets, long examinations, and crappy assignments, still at the end of the day I always end up smiling and cracking jokes in between. It’s like seeing the bright side of everything and will make you feel good about yourself.

            The school is also where I experienced society first-hand. It taught me “pakikipagkapwa-tao”: meeting people, seeing them, being friends, having arguments, and making up. I also acquired flexibility in terms of relationships and adapting to the society. Upon learning it, I also first met the feeling of insecurity: an annoying feeling seeing someone excel and not me. Then trying to drag them down by backbiting, or any other means just to tear them apart, not knowing someone else also feels the same way about you. School also exposed me to other cultures aside ours, giving myself a desire to enjoy the comfort of imitating them rather than doing my country’s style.

            Our barangay is not complete without any celebrations of thanksgiving. But because we are not Roman Catholics, we do not celebrate them, we are just invited. This is the time where people open their houses and invite family relatives, neighbors and even strangers to experience a festivity of bounty. In this manner I also learned of accepting guests and attaining to their needs. Not only because I acquired it from my parents have I experienced being accepted as visitor wholeheartedly. It is a privilege to be served like that, so doing it to others is also a fulfilling act of kindheartedness to other people.

Lastly, it is an honor to say that I am a Filipino with a strong faith. Growing up in a Christian family, I am educated to the existence of a Divine Being greater than myself. Going to church every Sunday, praying before going to bed and waking up and before eating, and trusting without seeing; I understood what it is like to have a God where I can put my faith and trust upon everything. Not just Christianity, but also my Muslim friends display faith in Allah. A consistency in faith be it in God, Allah, or other gods I think, is the greatest trait Filipinos have in common.

Isn’t a nation without its people and culture not a nation?  Why should I deny and be ashamed of such rich culture my country has? Thinking back that time when I asked why I was born a Filipino, I realized why did I even bothered to ask. I already knew the answer. My culture defines me, the Pinoy me.  

Why a Filipino? Because that’s me, and I’m proud to be.