Why can't we love our own culture?
By anne25penn
@anne25penn (3305)
Philippines
February 18, 2012 9:50pm CST
Okay, this is a rant (woke up on the wrong side of the bed today). This post might get deleted, so answer at your own risk.
Why can't we Filipinos just love our own culture and the cultures of our neighboring provinces? I just responded to a discussion about a government official speaking in English and how that irked the author of the discussion. Why not look on the other side of the coin that this person speaks a different dialect from that of Luzon or Manila? I know of a lot of people laughing at our own dialects and even the indigenous tribes because they wear G-strings and think that these people don't bathe.
This is the reason why so many of our cultures and dialects have gone extinct. The pressure of trying to fit in and be one of those white skinned people that everyone thinks as superior. This is the reason so many Filipinos shed their identity and culture and place these in ignominy because they have been shunned by some people who think they are superior. It's plain discrimination. Is there a culture that we can call our own here in Manila? No! Kids here don't even know or appreciate our history. They know more about the latest songs and movies in the US and even dress and try to speak like these people. What's wrong with being brown skinned? This is our race, we are brown skinned people. Why are you injecting and gulping pills that will make your skin white? What's wrong with speaking and keeping your local dialect alive? If you go to non English speaking countries like Japan or China, do you see people forcing themselves to speak English? No! You have to learn their language otherwise you won't be able to get around their place. So what is wrong with us? Why can't we just love ourselves and have pride in being a Filipino?
3 people like this
7 responses
@Metatronik (6199)
• Pasay, Philippines
1 Mar 12
I understand the fact that our country had been colonized by Americans that is why there are influences that we already valued. Speaking English can be fine because that is our international language but my pet peeves there is most Filipinos are making it as status symbol, using it as a weapon if you are sensible, intelligent or smart, then they will put you down if you are not good in grammar. Well that is pathetic then I think they should get a life.
I had this thought that how come in variety shows such as ASAP, Party Pilipinas or even others they usually sing the international songs rather than our own songs. I mean sometimes when I have seen the variety show of Korean and Indian they are using their own music culture that they can make it in rap, pop or hip hop. How come we can't make it on here.
Too sad some other Filipinos are totally ashamed of themselves as a Filipino. If that is the case then I think they are suppose to migrate now.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
25 Feb 12
Hello anne, because we lived at a time when we used to be powerful nation with the United States along our side. people in the past speaks more english and filipino dialect rather than the Tagalog itself. unfortunately, present and future job careers forced filipinos to choose english and set aside their native tongue. unfortunately if other asian nation becomes more powerful than united states in the future, we might have to learn their language as well.
. having pride and learning the language and all aspects of culture is quite different.
. having pride and learning the language and all aspects of culture is quite different. 
@AmbiePam (85489)
• United States
19 Feb 12
I tell you, when I found out on mylot that people in the Philippines took things to whiten their skin, I was appalled. I had no idea that happened. Why would one do that? I know a lot of cultures try to copy the American stuff from Hollywood and stuff, but I'd never heard of someone trying to change their skin color.
@tipay26 (867)
• Philippines
20 Feb 12
It's not that we are not loving our culture.And speaking in a different language like English doesn't mean your are not loving your own culture and race.We have to understand that English is the most used language around the world.And in order to meet gaps in communication some use it to understand each other specially if you are a public personality.Some places in the world doesn't speak in English but they have interpreters to help them understand each other or if there is a visitor who happens to be a foreigner of their country.We don't really have to rant about these things to keep our fellow Filipino reminded of our dialect and culture.They know about this it's their own prerogative if they practice it.Some of our fellow Filipinos are like that because they were influenced by the foreign country and it's not that bad at all.I say so because interracial marriages is present in our country and their children carry some of the foreign's ways and culture here in the Philippines when ever they are on vacation.There is a deep reason why some of our fellow Filipino turn to interracial marriages one is poverty.A little change is not bad but forgetting where you came from matters a lot. :)
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
19 Feb 12
I don’t know if we ever got to answer your question.
True, our people are more into ‘fitting in’ rather than creating or appreciating our own culture. I don’t know how or why but maybe once in history our hospitality and accommodating nature gave us a more meek and submissive approach to foreigners and foreign rule. I know we are a peace-loving people but I think we should have fought more for our national identity, so that today we could have at least a clue of what we really are.
Many people will say that the structure of our country, the separation of island to island is another major factor.
This issue of national identity has been a constant question even in the time of Rizal. Until now, many foreign cultures still mistook the Filipino for one culture or classification from another. It’s like we cannot have our own place in the world. We know that we are Filipinos but in comparison to other countries, we seem to be more in the background than in the forefront.
Colonization isn’t the entire reason; it’s more on the mentality and the willingness to continue that mentality. We never seem to recover from crab mentality despite knowing and understanding the consequences of such. And perhaps, we have long forgotten how to rekindle the fire of love for our country. Also, some only give half-way – professing love for the nation while still undermining it in comparison to other culture or nation.
I don’t know when will be the time when this issue gets resolved. I don’t even know if we need a sign to do so. I think I have an idea what is really wrong with us but I doubt that many people will agree with me or een support me. It’s one of those open secrets. Everybody knows it but afraid to admit it.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
19 Feb 12
That is our culture since we have been colonized by the Americans for years, English became part of our culture. Japan and China was never under any colonization and that is the reason why they never imbibed the foreign culture. It is not wrong to speak English because this has become a part of our culture and tradition. I remember my elementary days, where the school I was in asked us to to sing the national anthem in English. It was only during my college days that I learned to sing the Filipino version. It is not only us Filipinos who follow the Western culture. Those chinky eyed women undergo cosmetic surgery to put folds in their eyes and replace the natural features. I believe it is more out of vanity and the influence of mass media that many seek for ways to have the white complexion. This all a reflection of commercialism since everything we listen to is in English and mass media have instilled in our minds that being white and blonde is glamorous. English is our second language because schools taught us the importance of speaking in English. It is even compulsory when you attend the most prestigious schools. Due to the number of dialects spoken by the Filipinos, English became the language where we were able to communicate. In the highlands of Baguio, the natives speak better English than they do the Tagalog. Same with the Visayans. That is the Filipino culture, so to speak of.
@TheShadowXX (100)
• United States
19 Feb 12
who says you can't you free to do whatever you like. Love your culture and embrace it as much as you want.
