Something To Be Proud Of

Philippines
June 17, 2011 2:49am CST
Most Filipinos are a product of mixed races, like you all I am a product of a mixed race. In my blood runs Chinese, Spanish, native Filipino and European bloodline but I do consider myself to be a true blooded Filipino. As a result of a brain drain that has been going on for centuries we were made to believe that it is no good being a Filipino. So most of us adopted westernized way of life. We tried changing who we really are. Sometimes, watching the news about the scams in our government makes me squirm, and yes sometimes it is hard being a Filipino. But I guess it was the same centuries ago during the time of Rizal and other patriots only then they were battling Spanish colonialism... now we are battling our very own Filipino tyrants. And the fight must go on against tyranny, against social injustice, against corruption, and we as Filipinos must come together as one to right the wrong we see, for a better Philippines. Amidst the scams and tragedies there are still things we could be proud of as a Filipino. I am proud of the values inculcated in me by my parents like "kapitbahayan" or being neighborly. I see it now in me now that I have my own place and have neighbors who most often does not have enough to get by. Sharing with them whatever I have in my house without asking anything in return. "pagpapahalaga" holding in esteem elders, things of value or even special events as a sign of respect. Hospitality...guess nothing beats Filipino hospitality, we honor our guests both local and foreign alike by giving them a warm welcome, giving them the best we could offer in our homes. Our land is beautiful even though it is a tropical country and is quite hot still I would not trade it for snow! The beautiful white sand beaches speaks into my soul that this is where I belong. Our Philippine waters is blessed with beautiful marine life, it is one of the best in the world. The caves waiting to be explored and who knows what treasure it holds. There is a lot to be proud of in this land for me...how about you?
1 person likes this
10 responses
@edsss17 (4394)
• Philippines
17 Jun 11
I am pure blooded Filipino.. and I'm proud of it! I agree to all of what you said. Its time for us to get what really belongs to us!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
17 Jun 11
@edsss17: yup we should be proudly Filipino no matter what... this land is ours and ours to keep...we must love what is in it and the people that comprise this country!
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
17 Jun 11
I started to learn a bit of your beautiful country after I met people from Phillipines here in mylot. From my experience, all the peopl I have met are wonderful. You are enlightening me about the blood mixture. I think it´s a blessing. Blood mixtures help all races as each race has good traits and they come out when mixing. Everyone knows how harmful is endogamy. It happens a lot in small communities who couldn´t mix with other people. I am proud of my mixed heritage (I live in South America) and I´m sure many of my traits are due to it. But, as you consider yourself a true Pinoy, I consider myself a true chilean, no matter where my forefathers came from. One thing I know: if they had stayed at their homeland I wouldn´t be here.
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
27 Jun 11
Even If I never go to visit your country (it´s so far!) I have it in my heart now thanks to the mylotters from the Phillipines who have made efforts to explain and show the beauty of their land and the wonders of their culture.
• Philippines
27 Jun 11
thank you for your kind words... I hope one day you could visit. We all should be proud of for who we are and yes even if we are of mixed heritage... there is always beauty in mixed things :)
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
17 Jun 11
I'm English, but the Phillipines seem to me to be a beautiful and fascinating country. I'm glad to read of the country and its people, something I couldn't do before coming online, another great benefit of the internet. I love to hear of Filipino hospitality; sounds wonderful. I'd love to visit some day. I'm English but mixed to some extent too, in a different way; I'm mixed English Australian and Scottish and Scots Irish Canadian and perhaps more too. But finally English. And happy to be so. I think it's a good thing a person should love their country; and other countries too. God gave us our countries, I feel.
• Philippines
27 Jun 11
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I guess nowadays we are all products of mixed heritage, it's just a matter of what we can connect to and where we were raised and what values did our family inculcate in us as children. I do hope you could visit this warm and friendly country...it's summer all year round lol even during what's suppose to be the wet season.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
18 Jun 11
Yes, I agree you have a beautiful country and your people are wonderful. I have the privilege to be there on two occasions and the warmth of your people is something that I'll never forget and hope to make a return visit soon. I am a native breed of my country. A race that is not found anywhere in the world. I call myself a Malaysian but I am from one of the races that create one Malaysia. I am from the minority race in Malaysia and we adopt a unique culture which we inherited from our descendants that is believed to be from China and Asia. I am the product of these inter marriages that qualify us to be the native of my country once known as North Borneo.
• Philippines
27 Jun 11
I am so glad you liked your visit here. It would be nice for you to come by again. I hope you can preserve your beautiful culture and pass it down to your children's children forever. Many of the unique cultures have perished and it would be so nice to have a distinct one we all could be proud of.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
17 Jun 11
candy, I have not read, thus far, a discussion by a Filipino in mylot, as sincere and as true as what you wrote here. Your declaration here of love of country and the values we hold dear make me so proud of being Filipino. I do hope that we shall not be called to arms - that Spratly thing is scary - but if we are, I'd stand kapit-bisig with you.
• Philippines
27 Jun 11
Yes the Spratley case does not seem to go on well. Thing is the island is strategically located near the Philippine waters...If we calculate the expanse of the Philippine territory I guess we have a claim to the Spratleys...should we be called to arms I'd be proud to fight for our country and defend what is rightfully ours...just like my forefathers before me I believe in protecting what is rightfully ours!
@bloemart (222)
• Philippines
18 Jun 11
I am proud to be the one. I do believe that though we, Filipino, are not that rich. We can handle stress through prayers. Unlike our other neighbor countries, they don't believe in God, they only believe in themselves. So they tend to kill themselves whenever they can't handle their stress anymore. We are very hospitable too. We try to impress our visitors or other countries whenever they come here. So, we provide an unforgettable memories and experience to their heart and mind. We can make ourselves happy in the middle of our own grief. So PROUD TO BE FILIPINO....
• Philippines
27 Jun 11
I am glad you are proud to be one because some are not and wish that they are someone else :(
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
17 Jun 11
I admit foreign blood runs to my veins..but i don't see it as privilege or not. I am a Filipino...mixed with what foreign blood (i don't care) And will always proud of to be ONE!
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
17 Jun 11
I'm all Filipino. Nah! , I think my mom has Spanish and Chinese heritage way, way back in the olden days. I'm proud to be Pinoy. But I still accept that we, as a race, have our weak points. For one thing, we complain most of the time. We got that from the Americans, no offense meant, by the way. On the good side, we try to make the best of what we have. We try to innovate ourselves and strive to be better, mostly for our families.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
17 Jun 11
I have Chines blood in me although i am a true Filipino too and i am proud to be a Filipino. I am proud of our beautiful country. I am proud that we are the first country that oust a leader through people power. Others just copied us. I am proud that most of us are so hospitable, to the point of giving up their room for the visitors to have the best room in the house. I am proud to be a Filipino, because a Filipino , even in the midst of adversities could still find them a reason to laugh.
• Philippines
27 Jun 11
Thank you for being proud to be Filipino...yes we know how to handle stress, the ups and downs of life pretty well :)
@pahak627 (4558)
• Philippines
17 Jun 11
I agree with you. What you said in your discussion are all true. Speaking of mixed blood. I also have mixed blood, Portuguese, spanish and filipino but my dominant features came from my filipino heritage no chinese blood. I don't know about my traits but I guess I'm all filipino when it comes to traits. Unfortunately, I don't consider myself very hospitable. I'm a loner and wanted to be alone. But I get along well with my friends and relatives only I seldom invite them at my house. I'm not good at entertaining guests and I prefer to enjoy my privacy at home. But sometimes, friends and relatives visit me. It may sound weird but I don't have the trait that filipinos are proud of.