The Philippines, according to Bureau of Insular Affairs, is an archipelago which consists of more than 7,000 islands and islets stretching almost a thousand miles from north to south.[1] It is known to be one of the richest countries in the world since it is blessed with all the ecology needed to support a great nation. We have fertile soils which are capable of producing agricultural products, we have a tropical climate which is healthful to all men; and we have natural resources that are needed to sustain the human, animal and plant lives.
In most
contemporary literature, “Pearl of the Orient” is the most romantic and widely
used name of Philippines.[2] One of the reasons may be, our country is one of the
most beautiful lands on earth. We have various natural wonders and tourist
spots that attract visitors and people all over the world.
Filipino, basically, refers
to people who live in Philippines. Filipinos belong to a mixture of many races,
the perfect blend of both east and west. It is difficult to define the image of
a Filipino; however, there were books that distinguished some traits that are
common to the average Filipinos which characterized them as a unique people.
Trait, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is a distinguished quality or characteristics, typically one belonging to a person. Like all people on earth, Filipinos have bad and good traits. These traits have been compiled from different books that discuss Filipino traits then broke it down to the most common and most evident in our society before and today.
Propensity for gambling,
fatalistic and indolence is the common bad traits of Filipinos. On the other
hand, there are a lot of good traits that we Filipinos are known for. Some of
these are hospitable, religious, survivor, diligent and has a very close family
ties. These traits became our trademark as a Filipino and these are what the other countries perceived us but most likely, we see it through our very own eyes.
Propensity for
gambling is the most scandalous Filipino character.[3] Filipinos love to bet for
almost everything. Our favorite forms of gambling are cockfighting, horse races,
jueteng, playcards, poker, mahjong and many others. This has been one of the
major but worst influences of the Spanish colonization. Even today, these still evident in our society, some are legal, some are not. Gambling became one of our major source of income.
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Betting in lotery and off track racing seemed one of the major forms of entertainment and gambling among Filipinos.
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“Bahala na” became the everyday lyrics of some Filipinos who usually depend their lives on fate (tadhana). Filipinos tend to believe that whatever happens, whether it’s good or bad, is due to fate.
Because of our tropical
climate, Filipinos are somehow indolent.[5] Admit it or not, we Filipinos tend to
lack discipline and perseverance which results to lesser stamina for longer and
productive work. Filipinos usually exert less effort in work for he believes that
they have someone whom they can depend to since our Filipino families have
close ties. We always believe that our relatives and friends are the people whom
we can turn to in times we need help for survival. Wherever we go, there are "tambays", beggars who sometimes get their income from doing crime such as snatching, robbery and killing the innocent. These people were jobless not because our government doesn't provide them jobs, but it is sad but true- they have the choice not to find jobs on their own.
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Instead of finding jobs to sustain their family, these men just sat all day long to play chess with other "tambays".
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Lack of initiative is the twin of indolence. It is very evident that Filipinos are cooperative but not competitive.[6] We are contented of what we have, rather than aiming what we can have more.
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Though there are bad traits that every Filipino possesses, the good news is that, all over the world we were branded as good! We enjoyed a stature unequalled in Asia.[7] Our character is known worldwide showing that our people are the friendliest, the happiest, the most hospitable, the most-liked, the most giving, the purpose-driven, the most fulfilled, and the most successful on earth.[8] The following traits are specified and have been described in some books.
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The little amount that we can give to the homeless seemed the biggest thing they have ever received.
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The very common trait
of Filipinos that is very admirable is being hospitable. Filipino hospitality,
according to Singsong (1979), refers to a feeling of generous friendliness
which the people have towards others, particularly towards guests and
strangers.[9]We Filipinos are very famous for our kindheartedness and fondness
of entertaining guests. Filipinos, even almost poor, would open their houses to
a stranger and prepare the best food and accommodation for their guests.This trait is very visible during fiestas, parties or even in ordinary days if someone gone in a Filipino house.
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It is in the nature of the Filipinos to smile despite the hardships they face.
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Filipinos, in
general, are very God-centered and very religious people.[10] We always believe in the power of prayers and
we have a deep spiritual yearning. We always have various activities associated
with religion such as baptism, church-going, Holy Communion and the like. The value
of religion among Filipinos was manifested during the EDSA 1 and 2 revolutions.[11] Filipinos showed their belief in God through joining hands together against
tyrants and grafters, as well as repelling the corrupt and dictatorial system
in our country. EDSA 1 and 2 revolutions became a trademark Filipinos’ longing
for a transparent and just government. This proved that Filipinos’ faith was
not just Church-bound like before, rather, their involvement in fighting for
what is right was manifested with the guidance of their faith in God. We also
celebrate some religious activities like Simbang Gabi and Nativity during
December, Feast of Black Nazarene during January, Mahal na Araw (Holy Week)
which we usually observe during the month of April and many others. For hundreds of
years of Christianity in the Philippines, the colorful practices and beliefs of
Filipinos towards religion became our cultural heritage around the world.
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Faith serves as the guiding force of every Filipino.
Bad weather and crowded churches are not the reason for Filipinos to not attend and participate the activities of the church.
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One of the traits
that have remained in the book of unwritten laws is the Filipinos’ respect for
their elders.[12] The Filipino parents embody the absolute powers over their children.
We are also fond of using the particles “po” and “opo” during conversations
to show politeness to strangers and elders. We always resort to depend our
decisions on our elders for we believe that they always know what is right and what
is wrong. “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na kami”, the common quote among
Filipinos and one of the reasons why we give so much respect for elders.
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Even in dirty streets, a mother and his son eat their supper before going back to work.
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We, Filipinos are known
all over the world as hard workers, but success seems to elude us.[13] Philippines,
as a member of third world countries, still suffer from poverty and hunger. If we
will rove around Manila, every street reside beggars and homeless people. However,
Filipinos has a nature of preserving themselves for survival. Despite of all
hardships and failures, we still find ways to provide our family and self needs.
“Ang taong nagigipit, kahit sa patalim ay kakapit”, is one of the Tagalog
sayings. We always do anything possible to overcome the hardships only to
survive. Survival has been the reason of Filipinos that urges them to uplift
their fighting spirit during hard times.
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These two children still works hard even Typhoon Maring still flooding in most parts of Manila.
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Another trait that
makes us unique all over the world is that we are much known for our
family-centeredness. The family has been the basic unit of the society and for Filipinos;
we rise and fall with our family.[14] We give so much value to our family that we
work hard and sacrifice almost everything for them. According to Florentino Timbreza, the family success is the measure of a successful life
for Filipinos.[15] Hardships and failures do not to us, matter as long as we are
successful in our own home, in our own family. Our family serves as our
guiding force to resolve our difficulties, and suffer even the painful
problems. Even money for us is no substitute for happiness in our home.
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Filipino families gather in churches, parks and other places just to spend their time with their loved ones.
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The last but not the least trait of Filipino- diligence. Diligence is attached to patience which is very necessary for our everyday lives. “Kapag may tiyaga, may nilaga”- the quote that became the mantra of every Filipino workers who strives hard in pursuing their goals and ambitions in life. Filipinos don’t easily give up. One of the underlying factors of Filipino success lies in our unwavering diligence and patience.
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Through rain or shine, Filipinos still works hard to earn a living.
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These are some of the
good and bad traits that are very evident in our society. We have seen so many
physical changes from infrastructure, way of life and other developments but
the Filipino trait has been our trace form our past. This also served as our
cultural heritage around the world.
“..we cannot change
our past.. we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot
change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we
have, and that is our attitude”, says the American writer and preacher Charles
Swindolls which best describes rationale of this essay. As you observed, I just
cited only three (3) bad traits but I cited at least six (6) good traits of Filipinos. I have
two reasons to justify it. First, most researches and published books refer
only to these three as bad traits of Filipinos. In some books, they were
specified, but I generalized these to make it more comprehensive to readers. Second, I want to highlight the good traits instead of
identifying the bad traits. We have a lot of good traits than our bad traits
and as a Filipino this is something we should be grateful for.
These traits are unchanging;
however, as the years go by, we have lessened the bad traits that made us
better Filipinos of today. We may not have resources and riches like other
countries, but we have the characters that win and we can brag all over the
world. These are some of the things why we should be proud with our country and
why we should love each and every people in it.
(Note: This photo essay is based on NCCA's exhibit: The Philippines at the turn of the century and on the movie "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon by Eddie Romero)
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[1]
Agoncillo,
T. A. (1990). History of the Filipino people. Quezon City,
Philippines: GAROTECH Publishing. p.1
[2]
Zaide, Sonia M. (2006) The
Philippines is a Unique Nation. Quezon City: All-Nations
Publishing Co., Inc. p. 5
[3] Zaide,
Sonia M. (2006) The Philippines is a Unique Nation. Quezon City:
All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc. p. 22
[4] Zaide,
Sonia M. (2006) The Philippines is a Unique Nation. Quezon City:
All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc. p. 22
[5]
Agoncillo, T. A. (1990). History of
the Filipino people. Quezon City, Philippines: GAROTECH Publishing. p.
11
[6]
Agoncillo, T. A. (1990). History of
the Filipino people. Quezon City, Philippines: GAROTECH Publishing. p.
11
[7] Enriquez,
M.D, Cris. (2010). Filipinos are Rich (They just don't know it).
Manila, Philippines: C &E Publishing, Inc. p.12
[8] Enriquez,
M.D, Cris. (2010). Filipinos are Rich (They just don't know it).
Manila, Philippines: C &E Publishing, Inc. p.34
[9] Timbreza,
Florentino T. (2003) Filipino Values Today. Mandaluyong City,
Philippines: National Book Store. P. 148
[10] Timbreza,
Florentino T. (2003) Filipino Values Today. Mandaluyong City,
Philippines: National Book Store. P. 141
[11] Timbreza,
Florentino T. (2003) Filipino Values Today. Mandaluyong City,
Philippines: National Book Store. P. 142
[12]
Agoncillo, T. A. (1990). History of
the Filipino people. Quezon City, Philippines: GAROTECH Publishing. p.
11
[13]
Enriquez, M.D, Cris. (2010). Filipinos
are Rich (They just don't know it). Manila, Philippines: C &E
Publishing, Inc. p. 91
[14] Timbreza,
Florentino T. (2003) Filipino Values Today. Mandaluyong City,
Philippines: National Book Store. p. 103
[15] Timbreza,
Florentino T. (2003) Filipino Values Today. Mandaluyong City,
Philippines: National Book Store. p. 105
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References:
Agoncillo, T. A. (1990). History of the Filipino people. Quezon City, Philippines: GAROTECH Publishing.
Covar, Prospero R. (1998). Larangan: Seminal Essays on Philippine culture. Manila, Philippines: Sampaguita Press.
Enriquez M.D, Cris . (2010). Filipinos are Rich (They just don't know it). Manila, Philippines: C & E Publishing, Inc.
Timbreza, Florentino T. (2003) Filipino Values Today. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: National Book Store.
Timbreza, Florentino T. (2003) Filipino Values Today. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: National Book Store.
Zaide, Sonia M. (2006) The Philippines is a Unique Nation. Quezon City: All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc.
