Silver Lining II: Only in the Philippines
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I've always been a nationalist at heart even though, I admit, our tastes, and even who we are, have been made more westernized than is healthy. Still, even if the Philippines weren't the best country to live in, I wouldn't want to move anywhere else. Yes, there've been times that I thought I might work abroad come the time I actually need to work already, but it's always been followed by the thought that, no matter what, I'd return to my homeland.
I fail to understand how some Filipinos can just easily dismiss our country and pretend that they're anything other than Filipinos — I mean, what benefit is there in that? It's like they've devoted so much time and energy focusing on what's bad in our country, scrutinizing our shortcomings like we've done nothing that's worthy of recognition. Don't they realize that other nationalities are probably thinking how desperate and pathetic they are? Why bother being looked down upon in a foreign land if you could be cherished in the old country?
Let's be more uplifting, shall we?
We Filipinos have not gone down in history with nothing but our tails between our legs. No, we haven't. We've made our mark, and we will continually make it known. Where else has there been an EDSA Revolution that inspired awe even from the snootiest of whites? We may lack the proper practices of a democratic people, but we know how to show what we have when it matters.
Where else has there been a Gawad Kalinga established with the proud avowal that it's "the gift of the Filipino to the poor of the world"? The country is poor itself, but instead of just selfishly focusing on our own people, we are reaching out and helping the poor in other countries.
Sure, we have done things that are dishonourable, but what country hasn't? Spain enslaved and degraded the Filipinos for 400 years centuries back. America made us second-class citizens in our own country when they refused to acknowledge our independence. Japan violated the Filipinos when they tried to colonize us. Australia heavily criticized the Filipinos during the pullout issue in Iraq, never minding the fact that if it weren't for us, the Japanese would have invaded their country during World War II. Compared to those, our mistakes are nothing but a tiny scratch on a sandy desert that could only exist for a second before the winds carry new sand over it.
Ohh…right…we have terrorists in our country, but guess what? They have, too, in their own countries!
You know, it's not always about whether we are a Third World country or not, nor is it always about being brown and Asian or not, nor is it always about being poor or not — it's about having pride in who we are.
So, guys, say it with me! I'M PROUD TO BE PINOY!
I fail to understand how some Filipinos can just easily dismiss our country and pretend that they're anything other than Filipinos — I mean, what benefit is there in that? It's like they've devoted so much time and energy focusing on what's bad in our country, scrutinizing our shortcomings like we've done nothing that's worthy of recognition. Don't they realize that other nationalities are probably thinking how desperate and pathetic they are? Why bother being looked down upon in a foreign land if you could be cherished in the old country?
Let's be more uplifting, shall we?
We Filipinos have not gone down in history with nothing but our tails between our legs. No, we haven't. We've made our mark, and we will continually make it known. Where else has there been an EDSA Revolution that inspired awe even from the snootiest of whites? We may lack the proper practices of a democratic people, but we know how to show what we have when it matters.
Where else has there been a Gawad Kalinga established with the proud avowal that it's "the gift of the Filipino to the poor of the world"? The country is poor itself, but instead of just selfishly focusing on our own people, we are reaching out and helping the poor in other countries.
Sure, we have done things that are dishonourable, but what country hasn't? Spain enslaved and degraded the Filipinos for 400 years centuries back. America made us second-class citizens in our own country when they refused to acknowledge our independence. Japan violated the Filipinos when they tried to colonize us. Australia heavily criticized the Filipinos during the pullout issue in Iraq, never minding the fact that if it weren't for us, the Japanese would have invaded their country during World War II. Compared to those, our mistakes are nothing but a tiny scratch on a sandy desert that could only exist for a second before the winds carry new sand over it.
Ohh…right…we have terrorists in our country, but guess what? They have, too, in their own countries!
You know, it's not always about whether we are a Third World country or not, nor is it always about being brown and Asian or not, nor is it always about being poor or not — it's about having pride in who we are.
So, guys, say it with me! I'M PROUD TO BE PINOY!
Paola @ 7:56 PM
