On Being a Filipino

“Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines.
Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines?
I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love

for the Philippines.” - Excerpts from “My Short Essay About the Philippines” by Jae Youn  Kim

I disagree with one writer when he said “a Filipino may see his identity as both an asset and a liability”. While it is true that there are instances when we are embarrassed and ridiculed by other countries because of the actuations of some of our fellow Filipinos here and abroad, these should not taint the accomplishments of many of our countrymen who brought honor to our country and recognition as Filipinos. If we are subjected to scrutiny in other countries, it is not because we are being singled out as a Filipino but because these countries enforce their laws strictly without any favor to any race. If we start to feel that our identity as a Filipino is a liability then we will always become inferior to other nationalities. Lest we forget the line of the song, Ako ay Pilipino, “taas noo kahit kanino”.

SOCIOLOGICAL AND POLITICAL EVOLUTION

Our identity as a Filipino has been shaped by our history as colonially oppressed people. The hundreds of years that we were colonized by foreign powers have influenced our socio-cultural development and political behavior. When we finally gained our freedom from foreign rule in 1946 (or did we?), our glory days as a nation began to emerge. In the 1950s and 1960s, we boasted of a promising economy in the Region. Our military might was demonstrated through our unmolested show of air superiority within Southeast Asia’s air space. The martial rule of the Marcos’ regime that lasted for more than two decades slowly transformed the socio-economic landscape of our country into a debt-ridden, foreign-dependent economy and patronage politics became out political culture abetting graft and corruption in the bureaucracy. It was during this time that student activism flourished and insurgency threatened our fragile internal security. The so-called “People’s Power” which was actually highlighted by a coup d’ etat of disgruntled senior military officers against Marcos, earned our country a place in world history as a country that launched a “peaceful” revolution forcing a dictatorship to step down. But the “restored democracy” of the Cory administration did not really bring positive change to our plight as a people. Insurgency was at its peak during her term and discontent among the military ranks became rampant. We were as ever divided as a people. This would continue up to the present administration. We have made a great mockery to our constitution and democratic processes.

Nowadays, we see a deteriorating social order. We denounced poor governance of our national leaders, yet we continue to elect incompetent and unqualified public officials. We hate getting stuck in traffic at EDSA but we have also some share of traffic infractions. Our chaotic traffic condition has earned us the reputation of being home to the world’s most reckless and undisciplined motorists who have absolute disregard to traffic rules. We are also fond of blaming every misery that we experienced as if it is always the government’s fault. But we forget to ask ourselves if we have done our share of the task in solving our country’s problems. Now, are we still proud of being a Filipino?

OUR CHALLENGE

Despite the social decay that is plaguing our nation, there is still some ray of hope in the horizon. In other aspects of the society, we still excel as a people, never mind that we are lagging behind our Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of economic and military might, we have still something to be proud of as a people. The latest disasters that brought havoc in many parts of our country demonstrated our resiliency and unity as a people. These experiences are wake-up calls not only for our political leaders but for every Filipino citizen. The message is clear, that if we don’t mature politically as a people and continue finger-pointing and blaming each other, soon we will disintegrate as a nation. Hence, our generation could do a lot to bring positive change in this country and teach the future generation to bring back the patriotism we have lost as Filipinos. If we have to work hard, we should do it not for ourselves but for the love of our country. This is the true spirit of patriotism. This is the challenge that we have to face. Then, maybe someday, each one of us can again raise his head and say “I am still proud to be a Filipino!”

Ikaw Kabayan, kaya mo bang ipag-malaki na Filipno ka? - Malayang Filipino

(Image by: rhiver on debianART)