Filipino

A month or so ago, I found this true-blue Filipino blog called The Pinoy Warrior. I went around the website and found content that’s really informative and credible. Author does research really well. But, among all his articles about Filipino culture, traditions and celebrations, I noticed he doesn’t have any entries about the definition of Filipinos.

It was around the same time that I came across Nick Joaquin’s statement:

“The identity of the Filipino today is of a person asking what is his identity.”

So I went ahead and wrote an email, asking if he can make an article about it. And he didn’t disappoint.

A Take on Filipino Identity covers Filipino history, the author’s experience and what he sees at the moment. It’s a very reflective work and very consistent with what Joaquin had to say.

“So who is the Filipino? No one can really say… Today it is a state of mind and a choice, for each and everyone who proudly says I am Filipino.” – Russell Lorenzo

There are distinct Filipino traits, then there’s our environment and the legacy of our past, and the influences that’s shaping our society at present. In all of these, we can see fragments of what it’s like to be Filipino. If we zoom out and attempt to make sense of it all, our interpretations will be varied and irregular.

This isn’t at all bad, because we can have great opportunities for growth and development as a nation. But it’s also our main drawback. Are these traits and traditions enough to bind us in one thought? Does our history make us closer and help us identify with each other?

But we’re a young nation. And maybe we’re at experimental (confused) stage. We’re slowly discovering who we are. And with all these things that we’re doing and exposed to right now, we’ll find that certain and absolute identity that we’re searching for.

Thank you, Russell for such great work!

Photo Credit: Cebu Bluewaters

Anong ibig sabihin ng ‘Pilipino’? Anong kapalaran ng isang babaeng nakikinig sa magulang? At lahat ba ng taong umiibig, lumiligaya?

Kumusta?

Muntik ko nang malimutan kung para kanino ang blog na ‘to. At dahil buwan ngayon ng Agosto, ipinagdiriwang sa Pilipinas ang buwan ng wikang Filipino.

Ang mga sumusunod ay hango sa mga istorya, tula o librong isinulat ng mga Pinoy. Maaaring popular ang ilan sa mga ito, ang iba nama’y parte na ng literaturang Filipino.

Imahe mula sa: mag3737 via photopin cc

“Don’t say Fili, sister. Say Pili. In Tagalog, pili means to choose. Pino means fine. Pilipino equals fine choice.” – Jessica Hagedorn

Imahe mula sa: seyed mostafa zamani via photopin cc

“Me quota ang pag-ibig. Sa bawat umiibig, isa lang ang magiging maligaya. Ang iba, iibig sa di sila iniibig. Ang iba, iibig sa di sila iniibig, iibig nang di natututo. O iibig sa wala. O di iibig kailanman.” – Ricky Lee

Imahe mula sa: BryonLippincott via photopin cc

“Nakalimutan na ng tao ang kabanalan n’ya, na mas marami pa s’yang alam kesa sa nakasulat sa Transcript of Records n’ya, mas marami pa s’yang kayang gawen kesa sa nakalista sa resume n’ya, at mas mas mataas ang halaga n’ya kesa sa presyong nakasulat sa payslip n’ya tuwing suweldo.” – Bob Ong

Imahe mula sa: ArtByChrysti via photopin cc

“Ang lalakeng nakikinig sa magulang, masunurin. Ang babaeng nakikinig sa magulang, baka maging old maid!” – Stanley Chi

Imahe mula sa: The Wandering Angel via photopin cc

Mula sa panulat ni Genoveva Edroza Matute

“Sa wikang nanulay na, sa panulat o hininga;

Ay wala nang hahapis pa, sa salitang ‘sana’…’sana’….”

Tag: Filipino

What’s a Filipino?

Anong ibig sabihin ng Pilipino?