Knowing Filipinos by Jayrica May Bautista

Nowadays, we Filipinos have been very busy in our everyday lives made by numerous advancing technologies. One factor is the continuous development of the social media like facebook, twitter, instagram and other online sites that we are engaging. “We’ve been eaten by this system”, as what others said. Some Filipinos are accustoming to this system including other young or teen ones. Because of this, some are forgetting the values, cultures, traditions and the attitudes of every Filipino back then but now, others still practicing the heritage we had from the ancestors. Many different countries colonized us and changed our way of life gradually. Now, let us all take a halt and look back to the traditions Filipinos’ practiced back then. 

Who are the Filipinos? Filipinos are called to the native of the country Philippines which came from the various ethnic groups. Filipinos speak in different dialects but Tagalog is the main dialect. Many countries colonized Philippines for how many years and Filipinos adopted their way of life like how the way they get dressed, the foods they eat, the attitudes and the languages spoken. About the Filipino values, this includes their own unique collection of consistent principles, moral codes, ethical practices, etiquette, and cultural and personal values that are promoted by Filipinos to the society. Filipino values includes treating others with the respect and dignity as an equal not someone below the individual and family orientation which Filipinos give the value or importance of a family unlike in Western and European countries, Filipinos upon turning the age of 18, are not expected to move out of their parents' home and get a place to himself/herself. In other countries, the old ones are brought to the home for the aged but in Philippines, when Filipino’s parents are old enough and can’t take care of themselves, they are very rarely brought by their children to Homes for the Aged, and often this practice is looked down upon. But others really take care and hands on to their parents. Other values is the humor acquired by every Filipino that gives joy to everyone and shows the positivity of every Filipino and remain determined even at the midst of struggles and dispute. Flexibility, creativity and adaptability are values that the Filipino to adapt and be flexible in doing the tasks at times not bound to a particular schedule or timeframe. This allows them think on their feet and be creative in facing whatever challenge or task they have even when it is already right in front of them. Ability to survive is another values Filipino possesses. This shows that the Filipinos are resourcefulness and have the ability to survive on their own and on what they have. Another is hard work and industry. Filipinos are very determined and persevering in accomplishing whatever they set their minds to. Other values are faith and religiosity which shows the Filipinos as a reflection of strong faith to God. Filipinos are said to be prayerful and religious. Last is the hospitality. Filipinos are said to be friendly. A heartwarming generosity of every Filipinos to their visitors in their home captivates the heart of many foreign visitors. Filipino families will eat together and prays before and after meal. Filipinos also are kind. They used to say “po” and “opo” to the adults as a sign of respect. In the field of arts, music, dancing, sports, education, cuisine and other cultures the Filipinos have, Filipinos show they can excel over different countries. Filipinos are very competitive and can compete to different countries in these different aspects. 

Now, as we can see and observe the values and cultures of every Filipino, we can say that they still practice and maintain the traditions we had learned from our ancestors. According also to our observations, not all Filipinos are doing this. Some really practice the way of life of the countries that colonized us and forget the values we had. The attitudes of the Filipinos are not the same. Some are good but others are awful. Some will say that neighbors are their enemies. But not all neighbors are bad. They believe that their neighbors are gossiping and spread rumors about them. Some will judge you according to your actions. Others will talk behind your back. We believe that many possess these and let us change the bad attitudes that we had. As we observe today, Filipinos really excel in different aspects like beauty pageants, singing contest, dancing, arts, boxing and many more. Filipinos believe that they can stand on their own and can compete to different big countries. Filipinos are achievers

Love Alike by Shanene C. De Jesus

First of all, what comes to your mind when you hear the word Filipino? Is it a positive or negative thought? Before anything else, let me ask you first, for you what is Filipino? What does it symbolize? For me, Filipino is like love because love has a lot of types such as a love for a friend, family and a special someone. If we relate it to Filipino people, it also has different types in terms of physical appearances, attitudes, traits and etc. Do you want me to elaborate it more? Here is my detailed explanation about it.

Filipinos are known for being hospitable to their visitors. They serve something to them such as refreshments, delicious food, telling them to have a seat and when eating, most of the time, they give their newest set of plates for them.  As long as they are inside their house, they must provide their needs just to make them comfortable and feel at home even though they don’t have money for themselves. They also have this kind of habit when they celebrate fiestas. They prepare lots of delicious foods to make it special. In fact as much as possible they want to serve letchon on their table even though they don’t have enough money to buy, but they still find ways just to celebrate it. Filipino is also the same as love because as much as they could, they give everything to the person that they love the most even though they are already hurting themselves just to make them happy.  Sometimes too much love for someone gives us pain.

One more thing about Filipino is that, they are also known for being one of the most respectful to the elderly. They do “mano” and say “po” and “opo” to show their respect towards other people. Most countries do not value their grandparents. They just send them to home for the aged and let other people take care of them, but here in Philippines, they keep their grandparents in their homes. They take good care of them as they grow older.  They provide their needs and make them feel loved as well. As for love, we must have respect for each other especially to our own selves in order for us to obtain the love that we wanted.  And when the time comes that we already have that kind of love, we must protect what we have to keep it last.

Identity by Janelle B. Estaca

 Have you ever came to a land that seems so mysterious? Seeing an ordinary people possess their supernatural powers? What about a land that people act so strange? A land that will change your perspective towards everything and a land that you will never forget. If you’re interested to know about it and not already went there, well I’m honor to take you there and surely you will be amazed.

  This is Philippines my beautiful hometown. It is rich in natural resources, attractive nature, a lot of different cultures, traditions, folk arts and most of all has a unique people. Now I want to introduce my fellow countrymen, Filipino. Filipinos are different in unique ways. First in the aspect of foods, If the dish is dry and fried like tuyo, daing , itlog na maalat etc. the thing that they will use to eat is their bare hands not the utensils. Because for them using their bare hands is better and more delicious. When the barkadas decided to eat some pizza they will make rivalry to one another but after that when they notice one left pizza in the table all of them will stop and starting to stare one another until one person brave enough to get it that’s the only time they will come back to their previous agendas. How about in a simple conversation? As you all know the normal conversation is just conveying words specifically to the person you talk to. But some Filipinos don’t do that. An example of it is this; “do you eat already?” boy asked and the girl answered “I’m full”. Another example, Where are you? And the answer is “I’m on my way”. That’s my fellow countrymen. Filipinos are also great in hugot lines. Nena: Ate pabili po nang kape. Tindera: Yung 3 in 1? Nena: Hindi po, yung stick to one. Its sounds funny and cheesy right? Here’s another thing that will make you surprise, when Filipinos use their supernatural powers. If they’re in a hurry and they want to make a way they will just put their hands together and raise it while walking. Of course they will have their way. In different scenario, if you want to stop the car and make a way the Filipinos will teach you to raise your one hand and that’s it the cars will stop and you can now pass in the highway freely. The most important thing to know about Filipinos is their personality of being respectful. The word “po” at “opo” is their way to respect the elders and making “mano” to them. There are also known of being creative in different ways that’s why a lot of Filipino achieve a lot of success in their lives.

  As I said earlier Filipinos are unique in many ways. Filipino can define as cheerful, optimistic, helpful, kind, hospitable, etc.  Filipino can be weird but they will make you happy and be loved. Filipino can be emotional but they will taught inspiring lessons that will touch your hearts. That is what, we Filipinos must be proud of. We are what we are. We view things in different perspectives. We live our lives the way we wanted to. We have the determination to fight for what we believe is right. We are not scared to face the world and tell them that we can. That is our true identity as a Filipino.

WHO IS THE FILIPINO? by Mariden Nillo

Who is the Filipino? Well , Filipinos are very respectful. Filipinos are thoughtful. In short, Filipinos have a good are well grown. But what if Filipinos are like the animals? What will gonna happen?

We, Filipinos always compare our fellow citizens to the animals. But why? Maybe animals have no manners. But ssme as we, they also have sensitive feelings. So if they are a Filipino, for example a Filipino monkey. As our Prof gave an example, Filipino has a super powers, the first one is like putting your hands together and go in front, People will automatically give way to them. Imagine if the Monkey do that, that's funny to see right? But on the other side, it is a good thing that monkey will do, because in the first place, others won't be scared to the monkey, instead they will give respect for ot because it is new to their eyes.

The next is, what if we have a tiger and a lion who is talking and saying "Po and Opo" ane doing our tradition which is "Mano" to their fellow lions and tigers. How funny is it that they have a scary and fierce look and yet they are doing those things. So imagine all of the animals do what we used to do everyday, I think all places that have different animals will become peaceful and happy :)

Filipinos are SURVIVORS by Luisa Conejos

       What are the characters of being a Filipino? Do you agree that Filipinos are survivors? We can reflect this to our love ones who are OFW. They leave the country to work and invest for the future of the family. To overcome the sadness and loneliness of being far from their family is to just work really hard and their always thinking that they're working for their families and also applying a Filipino character which is not giving up and always gives a smile whenever in hard times.


The positivity of Filipino is the key to survive. Since time immemorial we are tested by thousand of calamities but we stand and recover by helping each other. We still smile and laugh even though there's a lot of problems that we are encountering. And another thing of the characteristics of being Filipino is being humble, and hospitable which foreingers like about us. 

The character of being a Filipino is just like beauty of our islands that we have natural and pure. Hmm, what can I say? All I can say is Filipinos are such unique and amazing. 

We are FILIPINOS by Cherie Anne G. Fernando

    Why are Filipinos unique unlike other countries? Our modesty has been molded through numerous experiences against other countries. But back then discipline was not taken very lightly and was strictly implored. But current society demands lighter ways of running discipline on people and children alike.

    If we can remember, there was a thing called a “death penalty” and people were afraid of committing serious crimes specially murder and lets not forget the "DRUG ADDICTS" that is currently experiencing the wrath of our president today. Unlike other countries, us Filipinos were freed by our heroes that fought for our country against other countries that tried to colonize us. That made us more relaxed and worry less about these kind of things.

        But still we Filipinos did not loose our love and care for our country. There are still Filipinos who cherish the efforts of our heroes. They choose to protect and make sure the history will always be remembered. We are Filipinos proud through and through.

         

"Filipi-knows" by Kamille Balaba

We all know that Filipinos are known for having the most unique culture. Filipinos are also known because of having "superstitious beliefs" that they inherited from their ancestors that are passing up to this generation. They are known in many different ways.

"Filipi-knows", we all know that we can define if a person is a Filipino through the unique trademarks that only Filipinos do. Filipinos have a lot of trademarks, like being known for having a good personalities. Filipinos are adventurous person, they always tend to go in other places just to satisfy their happiness. Filipinos are hospitable and accommodating. Filipinos are known to be resilient in dealing the difficulties and situations in life. They are also known for being a lovable and caring person.

There are a lot of facts that you need to know about Filipinos. We should know their personality before we criticize them. Some may have a bad personality but not all of them.