We all take
things for granted, some are family, some are knowledge. But what we take for
granted most is probably our nationalism. We believe that if we forget our
roots, we won’t be left behind by our advancing world. But what does it mean to
be a Filipino? Is it supporting your local products? Fighting for peace within
our country? Or even something as simple as cheering your country for the
Olympics?
In the past, a Filipino is someone who
fights for their country, by any means possible. Some chose to shed blood for
our sacred shores. Others woke our citizens from the Spaniards advances by
writing a newspaper. In one way or another they made their efforts in defying a
foreign oppressor who deny us our freedom, who endanger our culture, and those
who dare lay their hands on our mother land.
But these were the Filipino’s of old,
these were our heroes, who have shed blood and sweat all for the sweet taste of
freedom. They understood their duty as a Filipino to not only defend, but to
repel any foreign invaders from enslaving our fellow countrymen and our nation.
They were the ones who didn’t back-out because the enemy was stronger, they
were the ones who doubled their efforts because they knew that deep down in
their hearts they were the righteous.
But
that’s not the case for today. Now people are starting to reject the
old-fashioned Filipino culture, they actually want more foreign influences. We
rarely support our heritage. When do we start seeing people who are actually
proud to sing our national anthem? During a school program or an international
boxing match? Do we only embrace our culture only when we are faced by someone
else’s?
Being
a Filipino doesn’t start with the country, or the government or anyone who’s
in-charge. No, being a Filipino starts from each and every one of us. They are
the responsibilities of the country-men. We’ve already been given a glorious
past, one of which was born in blood. We already have a righteous reputation
given to us by our heroes, our heroes who gave their blood and sweat for our
country so that our alien foes would know that we stand in defiance.
But those are only remnants of the
past. We now face our uncertain future. It may not all be blood shedding or the
purging of an oppressor. But, I believe that we don’t have to be
ultra-nationalistic to become proper Filipinos. We don’t need to follow the
footsteps of our heroes but rather make an example of them; that we will not
tolerate injustice.
If
what it takes to be a true Filipino is to die for your country without question
or hesitation, then I’m sorry I am not. If being a Filipino means to protect
our culture and leave it untouched, then I’m sorry I can not. If what it takes,
is a blood compact that, this land, our mother land shall be protected, from a
foreign foe, or driving-out anyone who wishes her harm, then I’m sorry, I can’t
and would not.
Our
modern heroes showed us that, even by just working; your country will benefit
from it greatly. By simply honoring your parents by following their orders, we
show that we acquired the trait of respect and gratitude.
Everyone has what it takes to be a
Filipino, it’s a matter of doing it. By simply putting your country before
another is one of the greatest things that I have done as a Filipino. As our
great hero Jose Rizal once said “the youth is our hope.” We don’t need to cling
to the past, but rather, we create the future. It doesn’t have to be
ultra-nationalistic, you just have to embrace the culture.
From
everything that I have just said, How would you judge me, am I a Filipino or
did I just inherit the title mindlessly? Most of us would consider ourselves as
Filipino’s because we are of its blood.
Most people wouldn’t realize that
being a Filipino isn’t about heritage or blood. It’s also not about bringing up
the past as a means of reason to act reckless. No being a Filipino means that
you are able to act out what we have learned from it. Being a Filipino isn’t a
matter of what you do to them, it’s what you do with us. What it means to be a
Filipino is in the heart, not the name.
I am a Filipino, a product of a
glorious past, a hindrance to any foreign oppressor. We are Filipinos, in our
hearts courses the same blood of generations of heroes. I am Filipino, awoken
at last, freedom from the past. I will inherit this country, and so shall my
children’s children.
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