Being Proud to be Filipino

My girlfriend who is now working in another Asian state was complaining, rather lamenting over the issues or race and views of other nationalities to our own kinsmen. Well, she never told me of anything that is really below the belt, but I assume the feeling of somehow being racially discriminated against is annoying as it can be hurting.

We are not the only race in the world that are being prejudiced, the Indians for instance, are also subjects of discrimination in many countries they reside. Chinese and other East Asian people like Pakistanis and Bangladeshis are subject of discrimination. I think, all people in the world have somewhat angst against the other, Americans would be prejudiced in many Arab nations, the Chinese on certain English-speaking countries, the Whites in South Africa, and the list is endless. Meaning, racial discrimination (I hate to admit), is a fact of life. We, Filipinos are also guilty of the very thing we complain. We name names, Instik Beho, Belekoy, Chinhua Kuripot are some of deregatory names we call our Chinese brothers, who despite of their different culture and clanishness, are still Filipinos. Our Indian-Filipinos or those PIO (People of Indian Origin), were hilariously named as Bombay, 5-6 were some of the many names we call our Filipino Indian citizens. American, despite the fact that some worship their color, would at times receive taunting and several jerks from us.

But generally, Filipinos are non-discriminative. We value our guests, we value foreigners and aliens as if they are our masters. This is part of the Filipino trait that we have high regards for those visitors and guests, or other nationalities who visit our homes or villages. We show our exquisite culture, we treat them with pasalubong they could never carry, and we accomodate them as if they are royalties in our abode.

Filipinos are also very adaptive of other culture. Unlike other cultures that cannot imbibe the ways and means of the countries they choose to reside in, Filipinos can blend well and adapt almost like a native. We have the natural linguistic ability to quickly learn language, to embrace another culture (sometimes forgetting our own), practicing other ways and means of the foreign land.

But the problem with us, is that we cannot be proud on our own country. Like many of us, we are too disastified with our own government and our own people that we are the first who take negative issues against our own motherland. We never fail to criticize our government, our systems (well, they are indeed true), that we never stop talking even if we are in the presence of other nationalities who may have a bad impression on us. Our media, the Filipino cable networks appealed so much to the pity of the world to project our masses as opportunist, poveryt-stricken, hopeless people getting chances on daily gameshows. We report even the lowliest crimes, that will show the Philippines as unsafe place, where rallies are here and there, petty crimes are almost every minute and scandals are rampant. We never covered up our own naked skin in the open and even wash dirty lines in public.

Filipinos must learn to be proud of their heritage, show to the world their ability everywhere they go, they must exude the kind of quality Filipino workers are, be proud of our places, our country and our land. Instead of talking so many bad things about the Philippines, let us slowly and bit by pit, piece by piece spread the wonderful things about our native land.

Talk about the hospitality of Filipino homes, the world-class beaches, the hard-working trait of Filipinos, our star-rated artists, our talented people, our inexpensive tourist spots, our value for family and friends, our religiosity, our penchant for food, our joyous fiestas, our great traits.
We must always show to every color in this world, every culture that we are disciplined, kind, thoughful and happy people. We must always project that indeed, Filipinos are one of the best people in this planet. We can, if we just start on our own little ways.

It's time to change the labels, it's time to change for the better.