What Filipinos Love About Themselves

Have you ever been surprised to see a from-head-to-toe white blonde tall freckled man speaking fluently in Tagalog? Would it make you more surprised if later you’d find out that he is actually a Filipino? Perhaps that someone is half Filipino or a migrant. It’s quite strange, right? But it’s now more usual than ever. Today, where the genetic physical composition of a Filipino citizen fades even among the people in the country itself, other Filipino features still remain insoluble and these make Filipinos remain and be more Filipinos even in or out the country.

              Denied or not, we really are friendly in nature and we just love to socialize and express ourselves through our precious tongues. Filipinos are everywhere and thanks to our mouths we become distinguishable to most of the foreign people anywhere in the world because of them.

I remember my Economics high school teacher sharing story about her co- OFW’S before at Hong Kong. “How can you know if the asian-looking persons in front of you who are riding the train with you are Filipinos?” asked by my teacher. She then also answered herself in Tagalog, “Naku! Madali lang! Pag may nakasabay ka sa bus na mukang Pilipino, pero ‘di ka sigurado kung Thai, Malaysian, Intsik o Hawaian, hinatayin mo lang magsalita. Kapag pumutak na yan kahit magbisaya o mag-Greek pa yan, basta tuloy-tuloy ang daldal sa kasama niya at todo demo ng mga kuwento niya, naku! Pinoy yan!” [It’s very easy! If you saw a Filipino looking train co-passenger, wait until he speaks before assure he’s from the Philippines. Whatever dialect or language he’s using, you can confirm he’s Filipino blood ties through his expressiveness, demonstration of the story being told, and the nonstop conversation.

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            We really are fond of talking, thus it could really complement that Filipinos are really good communicators and singers. As matter of fact, according a research done by the Global English Corporation regarding the English proficiency in the workplace early April of this year into over 76 represented countries, the Philippines is the only country which garnered a total score 7+ , the highest score. The Philippines (7.11) is followed by Norway (6.54), Estonia (6.45), Serbia (6.38) and Slovenia (6.19). In a site called the-top-tens.com, the Philippines ranked third among the top countries with the best singers with India (1st), UK (2nd), USA (4th), and Germany (5th).

Breakfast, Meryenda, Brunch, Lunch, Meryenda, Dinner, midnight snack and sometimes, other meal times in between- this is the usual eating habit of a typical Filipino living in the Philippines. We eat a lot and frequently do. That is why as of November 11, 2011, 26. 6% of Filipino adults are overweight and 5.2% are obese (ABS-CBN News, 2011). But hypertension, diabetes and other health complications are unfortunately not strong enough to break the fondness in eating of the Filipinos.

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We also love to celebrate even the little achievements or simple things, of course, with our best buddy-foods. The Philippines has all the Fiestas, the anniversaries (even monthsaries), and these extended celebrations of Christmas and New Year. We celebrate handaans more than a day. Usually we love to share it with our relatives, friends and neighbors. Just like in any other countries, foods are really essentials in occasions. However, in the Philippines, food are treated with more value in the Filipino way of defining a celebration.

Additionally, the country has a very good set of native dishes. A collection of cooking styles and recipes from the 7100 islands of the country could not be given less expectations when it comes to variety and flavor. It’s why we have all the reasons in the country to eat and enjoy eating.

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imagesource from filipino-foods-lovers.com

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Fiestas could be both treated as reflection and as factor why Filipinos have these warm attachment to celebrations. All places in the Philippines have their yearly town Fiestas. Here, their local culture and traditions are remembered, exercised and celebrated. Also, it is a venue where unity and friendship is empowered.  For the most years, we also benefitted to the tourism and economic perks we get from Fiestas. Summed up, it may be now clearer why its existence continue up to now.

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Our being “madaldal” and “mahilig kumain” are also reflections of this characteristic. We really are fond of the party factor we get from celebrations which includes foods, friends, and fun. In Filipino birthday occasions, Christmas, weddings, and other celebrative days, we Filipinos have the most tendency to go because of the food, the free food. Since every Filipino loves eating, the more they will love it when it’s free. Additionally, a lot of people would be going so gaining new friends or meeting them the old ones are conducive in handaans and fiestas. Lastly, fun, would never be absent there.

Divisoria alone is a proof that Filipinos are really thrift and are aiming to possibly save more. It is because things being sold there are comparatively cheaper than anywhere in Manila. Having known the risk to take going and staying there, it is as if the environment doesn’t defy the demand of consumers enjoying cheaper products thriftier shopping.

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  We love to have the “sulit” factor in every purchase we make. “Sale” signs, used like magnets to Filipino customers and shoppers, are everywhere in the malls. It’s just that saving a 10% or any bigger portion of what is supposed to be paid adds to the satisfaction of Filipinos after buying something. I remember a classmate sharing his experience with his uncle. His uncle was supposed to buy his school supplies and some clothes for a certain school year. His uncle only shopped with my classmate 3 days before the start of classes. The reason? It is because the nearer the classes are, the bigger the “SALE” and the “DISCOUNTS” are.  Also, it may be the reason behind the booming out of the food chains with unlimited drinks and/or rice such as Chick-Boy and Mang Inasal the sachet versions of different products.

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Ever wondered why soap operas or prime time tele-novelas are mostly family oriented? We sometimes complain about the cliche-like story plots about unknown family relations, sibling competition, etc. that networks bring over again. But actually, that is really the Filipino audience wants. We have deeper relationships with our families than most of the other countries that is why we easily relate ourselves to the characters and eventually, watch the shows.

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Enough with the tele-novelas, Filipinos are packed with Filipino Familial values that up to now, though decreased somehow through several outside factors, are still abundant and undying. Home, the most basic training ground of everyone, is where the moral codes, etiquette  ethical practices and cultural and personal values are assembled. What differs the Filipino family from other countries is that, through the influence of traditions and of the society, they have become more familial.

Filipinos value familial relationships more than any other. The usage of "po" and "opo" are higly practiced from early childhood. Despite of the western influence regarding liberalism,

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Stories coming from OFW’s are another evident reasons of how families are important to Filipino. They are the major building blocks in their aspirations and dreams.

Factors coming from everywhere could really cause variations to what a Filipino really is. It’s good to be reminded about our characteristics that have brought us into familiarity. No matter how different our physical features maybe, let our inner selves remain Filipinos. 

Bibliography:

1.        Philippine Daily Inquirer. (2012). Philippines Tops in the world in Business English, says report. Retrieved November 21, 2012 from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/183735/philippines-tops-in-the-world-in-business-english-says-report

2.        Mendoza, S. (2012). PH: World’s best country in business English. Retrieved November 21, 2012 from http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ph--world-s-best-country-in-business-english.html

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3.        Cheesemaster (2012). Countries With the best Singers and Bands. Retrieved November 21, 2012 from

http://www.the-top-tens.com/lists/countries-best-singers-bands.asp

4.        Abs-cbnNEWS.com. (2011). Overweight Filipinos increasing, survey shows. Retrieved November 21, 2012 from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/11/06/11/overweight-filipinos-increasing-survey-shows