MY FILIPINO IDENTITY: I HATE IT BUT I LOVE IT

By: Jeryme T. Cordero

There are so many Filipinos around the world most especially those who work. It is not only in the Philippines or in the locality. Why is this so? Are they afraid to be here in the country? No, they just want to have stable jobs and earn a living for their families. Is the government not doing something to help them to have work here? Because of this, some of us Filipinos opt to migrate to other countries who can offer us what we need and even wants. Our identity is at stake.
Sometimes when we are asked by foreigners, “Are you a Filipino”? Knowing the issues that the country is suffering, we say, “Uh, uh, I’m not, but honestly yes.” This is one of the characteristics that we as Filipinos do especially when we are in danger. We are clever enough to say this which has an impact on our being a Filipino. We are too emotional and I hate it. When we are embarrassed most especially of what our government is doing, we can accept that we still claim we are Filipinos. It is not that I am belittling my being a Filipino but it is the thought that we should not allow ourselves to be swayed by our emotions. We need to use our minds too. There must be a balance between the two. We are too focused on our emotions that we failed to think better solutions especially when we have problems. Some of us resort to drugs, alcoholic drinks, and the like that seem to ease the pain that we have. However, we Filipinos are very resilient and that’s what I love. We can still joke even we are in danger.
Another one, I hate Filipinos who are too bias to relatives and family members may it be in work, leisure, games, opportunities, privileges and the like. At this moment it does not matter what we know but whom we know. It is funny to think of. However, it is part of our being family-oriented persons. With this we do not see the capacity of a person to do a thing especially when we don’t know him/her yet. Instead of knowing him/her, we tend to seek people who are close to us. This is really our bias. It is not that easy to let go. It is as if we have no trust when we don’t know the person without knowing that when time goes by we can be close. Sadly, we don’t see it sometimes. We often prefer whom we knew or approximate as good co-worker that made other people mad at us. In this case, we should practice equality. We provide equal opportunity to all who meddle with us. We should avoid being “choosey” for it will bring danger to us. We need to do justice as well. We give others what is their due.
Lastly, it hate the way we say “bahala na.” It is good that we depend on God about our future but it doesn’t mean that we will just stay there and do nothing. It teaches us to be lazy. With this, how can God help us since we ourselves don’t do something to make life worth living? This is one of the dangers we often do when we think there are no other possible solutions to our problems. Sometimes we have to do our part. We rely for God’s help but don’t be too much that we will just wait there like “Juan Tamad” who doesn’t do something even if he has the capacity to do a thing. We have to maximize what God has given us. We are creative as Filipinos and avenues for growth in talents and everything is opening for us. We just have to grab it and give our best. As we do our part, God will supply what is lacking in us.
Despite the negative values that Filipinos have, I am proud to say that I am a Filipino. What can we do with the things being done? We just have to watch ourselves and rectify our intentions. We just have to believe that we are the good ones. We are special. It is natural that we have imperfections but it is worth to try to be perfect. We have a lot of capacities to maximize. Sometimes we failed to discover it. We still have time. Let us love who we are and hate what is bad. Let us do our part and God will bless us.

SOME FIXATIONS TO ESCHEW FROM FILIPINO MENTALITY

Being a Filipino is somewhat a marvel to the many and to the foreigners for the reasons that Filipinos are very much hospitable, Filipinos are very much respectful to others, and Filipinos are unique in terms of approach compared to other existing citizens in the world. Furthermore, it is my pride also as a Filipinos that we are somewhat patriotic in terms of valuing the possessions, treasures, and culture of the nation, and we are also oriented to the faith that we have by having such piety to God though we can’t deny the very fact that we are not that very fervent in knowing and defending our faith. For short, we respect God, but few are willing to know God and to deepen such relationship to God. There are a lot of things to appreciate being a Filipino for we are in prior to what is beautiful, what is good, and what truth is and furthermore, we are always concerned to a so called social acceptability, where Filipinos are more conscious to our connection to other people. Anyway, with much appreciation to what Filipinos are, perhaps we must also be concerned to what are the things to evade from the natural consciousness and culture of being a Filipino. What are these?

We Filipinos are good in every way that we want to be and in every way that we want to have; however, there are things that are somewhat unacceptable or improper to the awareness of others and also in the self then because of such sub-consciousness that we have, we are not aware that what we are doing is not right. In the end of each certain situation, we are then aware of such improper act and as a result, we felt such apology. This is such an illness. However, time comes that instead of such renewal, we sometimes repeat such mistake. And what are these illnesses that I mean. First is the mañana habit. It is a habit on doing such task or responsibility on the other or later times though it can be done in the very present moment. I know that I am also guilty in this habit for I am sometimes used to it. Why? Because as far as I am concerned, we Filipinos prior leisure rather than work. And by having such appalling attitude, the rest of the succeeding responsibilities are then also taken for granted. And for sometimes, because of this habit we would have such regressions and apologies in life for we had missed the opportunities behind those responsibilities. And with no more such a do, maybe it is better to step by step avoid this nuisance in our identity being a Filipino for by this mañana habit, we take things for granted and it is not good for developing such maturity in our life being a Filipino. Second is the Ningas Kugon. What is this all about? This kind of attitude speaks about the capability of Filipinos to be ignorant. By this kind of attitude, we do things better at first, but the quality of this deeds in the subsequent moments of days slowly fades. For simple, Filipinos are best at first but Filipinos are getting worse time after time and the quality of performance lessens. And we Filipinos will then say: “Anyway, the situation might still be the same.” And by this, it is undeniable that we Filipinos are also ignorant for some situations. Looking at this very perspective, it is very proper for me to say and actualize to avoid this though I know in the very first place that I can’t do it in the very instant. I know very well deep within me that I am guilty in this Filipino attitude that we have for I sometimes take things for granted resulting me to be more ignorant. However, there must also be the moment for me and for us to say to somewhat slowly avoid this kind of attitude because, the results made by this might be undesirable. And in order to slowly renew from this, better take things and means in a very excellent way to the best that we can by not taking this dreadfully serious but with great enthusiasm. Doing activities with proper exertion of effort, with constancy, and with looking at the goodness behind this endeavor makes the work done with such a great surprise of success. Well, it is not that easy to evade ningas kugon, but it is easy to refrain from it by start doing things right. Third are the superstitions. We Filipinos are pretty much observant in such beliefs plus spiritual and invisible creatures in our surroundings and thus, the fears that are struggling within us makes us vigilant. We are so to say afraid to be moved by these elements for we don’t want to have such karma, according to our own dialect. Karma in a sense that we don’t want to experience such suffering done by these supposed elements and fear emerges within for we are afraid to be hurt by someone whom we can’t be revenged physically. However, these superstitions are just irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear. Well, I can say that we are do believe in these beliefs prior to our ignorance. Better deal to what’s more practical and to believe to someone who must believe in, and that is no other than God and no one else. And in order to gradually avoid such superstitions, better try not considering this first and always think for what’s more prior and who’s more to put my faith.

To avoid these three is not that easy, but it will just flow if it would be started to elude gradually. Everything starts from small things and it better to do every single step to do something practical and something moral before we might say in the end that it’s too late to apologize. Being a Filipino is fun for we would always say: “It’s more fun in the Philippines”; but it is best if we try something worthy to do in order to enhance our Filipino lifestyle. We must not only progress in innovations but also in our behavior. We must hopefully start ending these fixations in our Filipino lifestyle and we must try to modify them in their opposites in order for us to say in the end: well done fellow Filipinos, Mabuhay tayong lahat!

– Alan Christian Tabaosares

3^rd Year Philosophy

NOT F, BUT STILL F

Filipino Philosophy is essentially about Filipino values, behaviors, or culture. There is actually no such thing as ‘formalized’ Filipino philosophy. What we have today as Filipino Philosophy is a philosophizing of the values, behaviors, or culture that we have. We are, in principle just extracting philosophical principles from what we have and then take them as Filipino philosophy. So when speaking about Filipino philosophy one has to go to the values and the like.

The Filipino ‘We’ – this is how I would call it. I would like to focus here on the social behavior of Filipinos – Companionship or Pakikisama: “The Filipino Social Philosophy.” For the Westerners, they would emphasize and highlight the ‘I.’ This is reflected in their culture; individualistic, independent, and focusing on themselves. On the other hand, this is not the case for Filipinos; it’s not the ‘I,’ but the ‘We.’ The community or the larger aspect of the society is the focus. Filipinos are not happy when alone or by themselves (in contrast to the Westerners). Filipinos find happiness and security in being with their group or companions. The Filipino is ‘Person-oriented.’ He thinks of himself as belonging to, and identifies himself with a group, and considers the success and welfare of the group as his own. The Filipino is less individualistic because he wants to be in harmony with his fellowmen.

This may seem so positive, but looking at the other side of the coin this is actually the root of one of the many problems we have – overfamiliarity and abuse. Due to the Filipino social behavior of Companionship or Pakikisama, the mindset of the Filipinos becomes too ‘person-oriented’ to the point that a Filipino would do anything, yes anything (even the bad ones) just for the sake of maintaining harmony with his fellowmen, friends, and especially relatives and family members. People would often say “sige ah, total paryente ko man ikaw; sige una ka lang, indi ka na lang mag-linya kay hinablos ko man ikaw; ako bahala simo ah, ako manager didto…” With this overfamiliarity, a lot would take advantage and use this in order to make things easier or more comfortable for them. A Filipino could easily set aside rules, moral values, or the good just to accommodate the people close to them.

This is something that we must avoid and take away. Why? Basically speaking, this makes us Filipinos unfair in relating to people. Just because they are our friend, relative, family member, doesn’t follow that they are exempted from making lines, going through interviews, or going through the hard way. Whether someone is close to you or not doesn’t change the rules. It doesn’t change a thing. Yes, it is true that we have to prioritize the people close to us, but when it comes to the public realm like for example our work, this is not the case anymore. In public office, we have to be fair and objective. Family affairs don’t matter in this case.

Now no matter how negative this may be, this is something that makes us a Filipino. Filipinos are known for and are used to this behavior. However, in principle, this is something that we can take away but still remain a Filipino. I’m not saying that we take away the value of “pakikisama” or companionship. What we have to take away is this overfamiliarity that grows or results from this companionship that we Filipinos have.
Strictly speaking, yes we have this companionship, but then we should make it to a point that it doesn’t go over and result overfamiliarity or abuse. If this is the case, we have just become not a Filipino, but still remain a Filipino. ‘Not a Filipino’ in the sense that we have taken away this overfamiliarity. ‘But still remain a Filipino’ in the sense that we still have the value of companionship with in us. So the essential behavior here is companionship while this overfamiliarity, although seemingly Filipino, is just a result or an extreme of this companionship. So, in principle, we could take it away and still remain a Filipino since what is essential is companionship. Not F (Filipino; overfamiliarity), but still F (Filipino; companionship).

– Raymond Brotarlo Pasco

YOUNIQUE (You + Unique)

What stays in your mind?

A different experience like no other? A satisfying feeling? The ones that touch your heart? A unique happening? A once in a lifetime opportunity? Or maybe an unusual experience? Bad memories? Terrible events?
Whatever that may be, one thing common to what stays in our minds is that they are in the level of extremes. By extreme I mean the two opposite poles; the best and the worst, the brightest and the darkest, the funniest and the most sorrowful, and the like. Basically, they are last points in a line. The extremes easily stay in our minds, for instance the best feelings we had or the worst days of our lives. The common or the usual things that happen in life like drinking water, breathing, blinking, walking along the road on your way to your office or school, travelling the usual way to the Church, and the rest usually just come and go. They don’t really stay that long.

Let me ask you, what do you remember most about your best friend? Isn’t it the funniest or the craziest things he/she did or both of you did back then? Or it may be the things only he/she did to you such as being there when you’re down, when all has turned their backs from you or being there to listen to the pointless stories you tell? That’s what I mean, the extremes. Those things that are unusual, rarely happening, seldom done to you (only your best friend does to you), not the usual or the common. You see, we seldom remember the common things that happen to us, but the extremes, may it be positive or negative, do really have a special place in our hearts and minds.

Once I asked a certain parishioner in a Church somewhere in Iloilo the question; “Which Parish Priest do you remember the most and why? The answer to the “WHY” is, as expected an extreme. But as to the “WHO,” okay let’s just skip the “WHO.” It is confidential, but as to the “WHY,” well it goes this way… “because he gives very long homilies!” I had a good laugh with that answer, but taking it seriously, here we could see that indeed the extremes stick on our minds. The priest giving very long homilies was an extreme – he was the one among the many priest who gave the longest homilies to the point that the mass he presides would last from a range of 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours. Now that’s an extreme. People may also remember a priest for giving the best homilies or for being the strictest priest ever, but whatever the reason there may be, may it be positive or negative extreme, they usually stay and stick to us.

So do want to be remembered? Go for the extreme, find that extreme in you. Be it for being the corniest guy ever, the loudest girl in the group, the smartest in class, the craziest among your peers, or whatsoever. It is the extremes that are usually remembered. Even in class, the ones remembered most are the best and worst, the loudest and the most silent, the naughtiest and the very kind ones. We seldom notice or remember not the ones in the middle.

But thinking of it more deeply, our extremes may be one of our outstanding identities right? I mean, it is what makes us different, thus remembered by people or appreciated by people or otherwise. What’s makes Pope Francis so renowned right now is not simply because he’s the Pope, it’s because he dared to be different he’s an extreme – personal, identifies himself with his people, makes effort to be in touch with the poor and the youth, a transgressor of unnecessary protocols, a revolutionary, out of the box. This essentially made him the People’s Pope. So don’t be afraid to be different (especially if there’s nothing wrong with it). If you want to be remembered, if you want to leave a mark, a legacy, just be you and dare to be different. You know what’s the best thing to be? It’ is to be yourself – be YOU. You are unique.

Oh, and take note, don’t just be who you are because you’ll be remembered. I mean, no matter what happens, may you be remembered or not, just be yourself. Don’t just be motivated by the fact that you’ll stay on people’s minds, that you’ll be noticed. Being yourself is the reward itself. The joy and freedom given by being yourself is enough reward already. You are Unique – YOUNIQUE.
– Raymond Brotarlo Pasco

Memoirs of the Past (A reflection on a San Joaqueño’s memories of her previous Parish Priests)

by Dionnie Salanatin

The town of San Joaquin is indeed one of the oldest in the province of Iloilo. A local parish was established in the year 1869 the same year the St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary was established, making it as the fifth oldest seminary in the country and the last one founded by the Spaniards during their regime. There has been countless number of Parish Priests who administered San Joaquin and people treasured a lot of memories about them, both good and bad.

I had this rare chance to talk with one of the closest and most active persons in the parish who happened to work for priests as their secretary for around thirty years now. She devoted her entire life as secretary and even forgoes marriage because of her love and dedication to the local parish and her work. Nanay is able to serve around six Parish Priests now, some already passed away, and she had a great number of memories, both good and bad, about each of them and some of which she decided to keep and ponder deep in her heart for the rest of her life, for those were not for others to know.

I really admire nanay for her kindness towards her present and previous Parish Priests, “the San Joaqueños do not usually talk about the humiliating things done by our priests, and people would usually keep quiet and accept the fact that priests are humans too- capable and not exempted from committing sins, like us”, she said in Hiligaynon. She may be right and I totally agree with her opinion, in terms of human respect especially to priests I would refuse to discuss in public about their mischiefs and previous troubles they were into. However, I do not take this as an excuse for priests have to be often in the state of grace as spiritual leaders, and that is already presumed in the truest sense.

Looking at the brighter side, of course, San Joaquin would never be what it was able to achieve now if not for the brave men who courageously embraced the vocation to priesthood in the name of sacrifice and love for service. The faith continues to flourish in the town even until now, considering its topography it requires a great deal of sacrifice to any priest assigned there.

Nanay could still remember how she became a witness in times when temptations were lurking around her boss. She would oftentimes let them be but sometimes she would not hesitate to drive the temptations away only to protect the priest. Vices, such as drinking and smoking, are for her tolerable but temptations that would endanger the priest’s life or vocation must be better fight off as early as possible and in the best of her capability as a secretary. But for the things she has no control of, she would rather close her eyes and tame her tongue.

She recalled how painful it was to the San Joaqueños when they heard about the scandal of the two priests who decided to get married with their “sotanas” on, especially that one of them is from their town. It was tragic, indeed, from then on they have long prayed hard that someday another San Joaqueño priest would redeem the town’s name and will bring back honour and pride to the people of San Joaquin.

She would also enjoy telling her experiences about the seminarians who did their pastoral work in their town and later on became priests. It is truly her pride serving them as future priests. For nanay they were her treasures to keep for the rest of her life.

There is neither good nor bad memories for nanay but only God given experiences. Let things be as they are especially those one fails to control. Only two things are certain for her: respect and understanding. Those were her secret in staying for around thirty years in the parish and why the present and previous Parish Priests would also treasure her. Their memories are for her to keep.

“The Significance of Memories”

There are things that people wanted to cherish and one of these is the memories. Many people wanted to cherish, treasure, and reminisce, the good memories with them. But we cannot deny the fact that not only good things we can treasure as memories, there are a lot of bad events/occasions that happened in our life that we cannot forget. Some memories are not only created by ourselves but it was caused by people around us. People may remember or cherish two things in their life and these are good memories and bad memories that give significance in their life, memories that they will not forget.

Last February 6-10, 2015, I was assigned in the parish of Saint John of Sahagun in Tigbauan, Iloilo who is administered by Rev. Fr. Ronaldo Haguisan and his assistant priest was Rev. Fr. Jose Mauricio Tacadao. The acceptance of the people was good as what I expected because it is in the southern part of Iloilo unlike in the northern part that there is an attitude or mentality of “who cares”. I was able to ask some of the parishioner of the parish about who are the priests that they can still remember which I was shock of their answer. I was shock in the sense that they can remember almost of the priest that was assigned in the parish according to the year that they were able to go in the church or when they are fully aware of their faith which they have a lot of good memories. There are some bad memories from some of the priest but they refer to tell the good memories than the bad ones. Maybe because of the religiosity of the parishioners, they were able to accept the reality that not all the priest has the same attitude. They were able to accept who the priest is and accept them in their community as a priest. I came to the point that I was able to ask a particular question asking, “among the priest assigned in their parish and they were able to encounter, who among them is the one that you really cannot forget.” I am expecting that there is only one priest or there is certain common for them but each one of them has different “favorite” priest.

I was able to realize that every person have different point of view and different taste with the people around them which will depends on their own personality. What is important to them is that, there is a priest who will celebrate the mass with them who can turn the host and wine into body and blood of Christ. I can say that the parishioners was catechized well which they were able to reach that level of answers.

What matters here is the social acceptance of the people to the priest whoever assigned to them which they were able to accept his personality and deal with it. If there are good memories and bad memories, then they will keep it as part of their lives and learn with these memories. The life is a journey and the journey itself is the memories that we must be cherish, together with others the memories might be good or bad still it will mold us who we are.

-Paul John Depra

PRIEST IN PARISH: EFFECTIVE OR NOT

Priesthood is a blessing for all humanity and it is a vocation that calls each man to save the souls from purgatory to heaven; well, how about the priest’s social connection to their parishioners? Can the parishioners consider that priest as a blessing if that priest is unfavorable and unapproachable to the face of other people? Considering the situation nowadays as a seminarian, there are things that I had discovered that a parishioners wanted the priest to be in their respective parishes and this is through the medium of asking them: “Who is their favorite priest assigned in their parish? Why?”

I had asked one parishioner and I asked the same question. That parishioner is a daily mass attendant and she served as one of the members of children of Mary of the church already for various years considering her age at recent was 60. Also, this parishioner learned a lot about priests and some seminarians here in the Archdiocese of Jaro. She answered that his favorite priest was a priest assigned in their parish many years ago and that priest departed already several years ago. That priest was known as a priest of everybody and for everybody. Why? It is because that he was respectable, wholesome and friendly to his parishioners. His presence and priestly ambiance were made approachable to the youth, to the seminarians, to the grannies and to everybody. Furthermore, he then took effort to visit the houses of his parishioners and be with them in their breakfast, lunch or dinner time. In his time as assigned as parish priest in that parish, he had recruited a lot of seminarians come to the numbers not less than ten. He always bond with the parishoners, and also he was also sharing his blessings to his parishioners like any material things. One more attractive thing about him why do he produced many seminarians in his parish because he was paying for the whole allowance and accounts of his seminarians and thus, there are a lot of priests came from that parish and some of them nowadays are already monsignors and parish priests. And obviously, many of the parishioners attended his funeral for he is very outstanding and remarkable to those parishioners.

If I would grasp what made a priest a memorable priest is to be a priest of his parishioners where he is always open towards other people and that priest must be frequent to the face of his parishioners. Nowadays, few priests now are very remarkable to people for their presence was seldom appearing to them. A priest must adjust to the culture and social life of the parish and not the parishioners to adjust the priest. Each municipality and each places had their own individual establishments in their places in terms of approach, morality, specialty of the place, properties, and language; thus, foreigners or out town people can’t easily access such new establishments to that place and society in an instant because, the people’s majority decides what is good for their place. And with connection to this, a priest must learn how to adjust to his parishioners and that can be made appropriate by means of being to be with them and that is already a social acceptability. A priest must learn to adapt thing, culture and norms in that parish. If a priest contradicts to those adaptations, that priest would not be very effective in parish and people will not dare to know and acknowledge much that priest; worse is for them to hate that priest. Then that priest might say: “I will just wait that my term will end in this parish for o am now ready to transfer.” These kind of priests will then justify that they are not here to be attached, they are just here to be assigned as priest. Yes of course, there is no need of attachment but there is a need of social acceptability. Priests are assigned in parishes for the parishioners and not only for hidden agendas and for self-benefit. As a result of social acceptability, the name and identity of this priest will be easy to retain in mind and this priest could be given a tribute because of his care for parishioners.

A life of a priest is not that very easy since there a lot of times being alone, and to cover this kind of uneasiness is for them to be with the people and not only to stay inside the room. And as a seminarian and a hopefully priest in the future, I must be aware of these realities in parishes in order for me to be an effective priest in the future. And thus, as early as now, I must learn to be more with the people and I must learn to adjust also myself towards the people I foster and people I met every day. I know it is not that easy at first to be socially acceptable in parish for people may doubt on my governance in church, but these will radically if I am already adapting cultures and establishments in the parish and if I am already socially acceptable. Hence, Priesthood is an alternation of Jesus Christ and we already know that Jesus is always with the people. To be a priest is to be with the people around us as inspired by our very own Holy Father, Pope Francis, who is the pope of everybody.

– Alan Christian Tabaosares

3^rd Year Philosophy

The Good Shepherd of the Flock

A lot of people often talk about of their parish priests whom they referred to as the best parish priest so far. These people state characters that they like and dislike from what their respective parish priest have shown. Wherever we go, we can hear a lot of feedbacks about priests. Some are god to hear, some are not. Some are happy and some are sad. Some enjoy while some do not. This simply shows that whatever we do affect others especially that our characters are observable. It is inevitable that people often caught off-guard even priests. Sometimes we show things that we don’t really intend to. In our vocation campaign, I asked some of the parishioners if who was their unforgettable parish priest and what character that they like. These are the characters they like and I will not mention the names of the priests.

The first that I have interviewed said that she like her current parish priest because he is kind. She also said that all priest are good persons because they are all instruments of God to preach and teach people. The parish priest that she like most is really that kind and generous. She said she didn’t experience the previous parish priest because she was in Manila for so many years and she can only recall the previous and the current.

The second that I have interviewed said that she liked their previous parish priest because he is what she called “suplado.”   For her, she knows her boundaries with him and she can’t just do her thing on him. She liked it because she said she has more to discover to a person when he acted that way. She don’t like persons who are so open with himself. This turns her off. She was speaking with her experience with her husband who was also a “suplado” as she said.

I only interviewed people who were at the rectory because they are accessible. With this, I realized that what we show really matters. They can either attract or repel people. What we show does not just came out at an instant but because we build it. We become who we are the way we want ourselves to be. This experience reminds me to show who really am. I have to build my character not just for the people to imitate but because it is a good thing to do. As I struggle in the formation, I am hoping I can build a strong character like what Pope Francis is showing to us. The way he lives makes people do the same especially that he visited the Philippines. How wonderful life isn’t it? He is one of the best parish priests all around the world. He acts who he is. This makes him the best person and man of God. For you, who do you think the parish priest you like the most? Why? What makes him the best for you? Check it out!

-Jeryme Cordero

Why They Went There Francisco?

One time I happen to hear two people in the market choosing what shampoothey are buying. The two had to select fromthe variety of kinds and brands but it was solved when they finally chose the shampoo the other said Kim Chui is using.Filipinos love beautiful things. They love the thing because it is beautiful and it is beautiful because they associate beautyto good thus, beauty is equal to good for Filipinos. We always have the bias to things that is also being used by the handsome and beautiful actors and actresses of the entertainment industry. Even to politics, Filipinos vote actors and actresses during election not so much of their capacity but because of the good which is being associated with beauty. That’s why the two had chosen the shampoo because it is being indorsed by Kim Chui on the television. Or they may bought the shampoo because everybody uses the kind. They have that kind of shampoo which doesn’t make them different from others, which makes them belong with the group. Social Acceptability.  One of the traits of Filipinos is the need to be in the ring where everybody is because what others say matters. There is a need to comply with what others expect and to satisfy which is believed to be their standard in order to be accepted.

During January 18^th, amidst millions of crowds gathered to witness one of the rarest events happening in Philippine history,a thought crossed my mind and I began pondering about the reason why these people from all ages, from all regions, from all genders and races would come and sacrifice their time waiting and hoping for a chance to have a glimpse of the passing father of the whole Roman Catholic Church. They could have just waited on the television and avoid the dangers of sinking into the crowd being pushed side by side, being drenched into the rain, hungry, cold and exhausted, stolen, or hurt but be their motivation to wait 13-20 hours just to have a place for the mass? I also asked myself, what would be mine?

The Pope’s visit a great honor for the Filipinos because seeing the situation of the Philippines and the risk for resistant, the pope proceeded of visiting here in the country. His coming is an inspiration and a blessing he brought tears and smiles to many. He uplifted hearts and changed people. He encourages and animates souls. He is no ordinary man. Many had come but still many cannot but wanted to and perhaps one reason is that, people wanted to see and experience something beautiful and that they see the pope as beautiful a beauty which pleases the heart, which softens and enflames the heart. They came to be inspired of his beauty, to fall in love by his words and to change by his example. And all they wanted is the hope to find goodness. On the other hand, one may take the advantage of being part of the six million people who went to attend the mass because everyone is going to attend the mass. Social acceptability pressures them and behind the mind of others their experience is something to be told. They wanted to be heard and to feed their egos with their story during their experience and making their selves the pope of their own. They are doing this for the sake that they will be socially accepted, to feel important to others.

Papa Francisco is a Filipino

By: JJ Meneses

The Filipino principle: If this is the case that beauty and good cannot be separated, then I can say I am beautiful because I am good. Of course, every Filipinos wanted beauty and goodness at the same time. If you are beautiful yet not good then you’re really not that beautiful or vice-versa. Why is this so? I actually thought for almost several times just to answer it but it’s just the same thing that comes in my mind. It is the Filipino how it is. Filipinos were born to be good and beautiful. If a Filipino not good or either beautiful then he is not a Filipino. So to say, he is a Filipino if he has these two very significant elements. It’s like that, without these two things the Filipino himself cannot exist. Why is this so? Filipinos are very attracted to physical or tangible things, and to the physical appearance. For example, Filipinos want to be like white because they thought they can be attractive to the community, being white is very desirable because they thought they can be unique among others. Filipinos like gossips because they cannot sit for a while but stand and join the group and comment to other people. Filipinos love to have full decorations in their house especially when festivals and other big occasions because they thought if someone could see it they will be honoured. Perhaps, Filipinos cannot settle in ideas only rather beauty and goodness is somehow tangible too. Filipino’s concept of beauty and goodness must be touched and seen. And despite than this, Filipinos can gain something about it. Why is this so? Because this is the most important that must Filipino have in order to be accepted in the society. Filipino does not limit himself in words only. If he can do it he will do it. Filipinos don’t say “I love you” but will love you. All these things can really do by Filipinos. It’s just a tip on their hearts because, again, Filipinos are born to be good and beautiful. Now, if every Filipinos are to be like these, the Philippines will be a purely loving country. However, looking to the situations right now in the country what else can we expect more?

Thanks to our Pope Francis he visited our country. Perhaps, it is one sign already for the change of the Philippines. More than that, not the Philippines itself but the Filipinos who welcomed happily the Holy See. Why is this so? Because of the two elements. Pope Francis is not a Filipino but he such have the good and beautiful. How come? Because Pope Francis was accepted by everybody which made himself to be what to be, that is to be Filipino by heart. Pope Francis is far away from ourselves but it’s not about that but what the Pope has which makes Filipino to accept him. Meaning to say, even some are not Filipinos in original but has to be good and beautiful then he is a Filipino in spirit. Well, there are things that we mean of beauty and goodness which it’s not just about simple definition rather it has different things.

Attaining the true meaning of beauty and goodness, according to Filipinos, is not easy to do. Not all don’t have a perfect living but wanted to have a simple life. Not all don’t have cars but satisfied already to ride on a jeep. Not all don’t have big houses but satisfied already to be with the family. Not all don’t have many money but still looking for ways to prepare something for others. Not all are not good but has a heart to have even just little conscience. Not all are beautiful yet good internally which makes to be beautiful.  Not all Filipinos does not have these but Pope Francis does. It is really a hope for the whole Filipinos that there is still a time for change. Pope Francis, as he visited, really show what is truly a Filipino which remind the Filipinos who have been blinded for almost years or centuries. Pope had really give another chance for the Philippines that she can do something more than today. Pope Francis was really accepted and loved by all Filipinos because they see themselves what they truly are from the Pope. Filipinos just remembered again that they are good and beautiful.