10-What does it take to be a Filipino

I am half Japanese. Fifty percent of the blood that runs through my veins is Filipino. I was born and raised in the Philippines and highly exposed with traditions and culture of my Motherland. I fluently speak the native language, but what does it really take to be a Filipino?  That is the part that got few seconds of my thoughts. A question that had me started to dig deeper, and go straight to the historical route of search.

The culture we had is traced back from our great and complex history.  It is influenced by most of the people we have interacted with. In my limited research on this matter, I have found out that it is a blend of Western and Hispanic, Chinese, Arabs, and other Asian cultures which contribute to a diversified customs we have that makes us unique.  Let’s have a glimpse on some of our popular Filipino traditions and find the similarities that bind us to each other.

We highly value the presence of our family more than anything else.  Having close family ties is one of our unique traits.  Proof to this is when a child gets married and has a family of his own, he would prefer to stay in the same house with their parents living together and taking care of one another in everyday living. We just love the concept of family.Another trait Filipinos made themselves exceptional from others is their strong respect for elders.  First on the list is “Mano Po”. Mano is a Spanish word for “hand” while Po is used in the sentence when addressing elders or superiors. It literally means can I ask for your blessings?  It is done mostly when someone is leaving or arriving in the place.

We are known not only for our breathtaking sceneries and rich cultures but also because of our hospitality.  We never fail to show our heart-warming generosity and friendliness towards foreigners and locals alike.   We will even go out of our way to ensure our guests feel comfortable. We even give welcome and farewell gifts to them. Lastly, imagine the picture of Filipino men carrying a house on their shoulders. Who would even forget about this Filipino sense of community?  “Bayanihan” is a core essence of Filipino culture. Though nowadays the picture of it is no longer applicable and is not being practiced any more, the act itself and the value that comes with it should always be retained. I personally believe that this is the reason why despite the trials and hardship our country is experiencing, we never fail to smile. We still manage to be happy despite all the calamities and issues that are happening around.

These are just few of the little treasures we have. Yet despite this substantial heritage, one thing is clear to me - that these precious values become really powerful when we Filipinos begin to understand them deeper and start to live them. To sum up, a true Filipino is defined by embracing our collective values and culture, and being proud of it with profound respect and appreciation. We enjoy and take pride in being called Pinoys and are totally convinced that it’s more fun in the Philippines.