What defines a Filipino?

Is it his eyes, is it how he dresses or the way he talks? We cannot truly define a Filipino without taking a
closer look at what makes him a Filipino. The answer lies within his culture, the norms, and the traditions
which he came to know since he first opened his eyes.
A Filipino is known for his hospitality, he is a person who smiles through any and all adversities, a person
who treasure his family the most. Being a Filipino is something to be proud of, but like any other thing in
this world, there are facets of our tradition deeply embedded within us which may be considered our
Achilles’ heels.
There are these traits and characteristics which we have developed or adapted over time which have made
it difficult for us at times. One perfect example is on the issue of colonialism, where we have shown
dislike or abhorrence to people who patronizes international artists or products instead of ‘supporting our
own.’ Most of the time these kind of individuals who singles out those who they accuse of having this
colonial mentality, do not practice what they preach in that they not only fail to promote Filipino, rather
ridicule them. In this day and age where intercultural acceptance is at its peak, it should be clear that
supporting international artists is not equivalent to changing identities, much less changing nationalities.
Moving forward means transcending the barriers that for long, have had prevented us from ascending
further.
Breaking this barrier means moving past this undesirable trait for something bigger than all of us, the
acceptance and respect that we should foster. Take it from Sean Akizuki, (insert who is this, ano
credential niya), who said “I just thought about the anti-progress people and their cry for Sariling Atin
Only-driven economy. As I mentioned earlier, they should stop acting like they aren't using any imported
or foreign-influenced stuff. You can think of this is utter hypocrisy because as they watch their favorite
telebasuras aired by ABiaS-CBN or any local network it's still a result of progress but progress GONE
WRONG. When you think about it, do you think it's possible to make telebasuras without any progress
whatsoever? Don't tell me that they can make telebasuras without the use of modern equipment like
cameras and computers? Don't tell me that they can broadcast telebasuras without the use of satellites? If
they want to be anti-progress, then they can say goodbye to their beloved telebasuras.” Which proves a
point in that the problem is not us looking towards the product of another flag, rather us looking in disgust
at our own backyard who uses foreign technologies and products to advance.
Most of the time we go to some appointments one or a couple of hours late, this is known as the infamous
Mañana Habit. Most Filipinos are guilty of the “mamaya na” habit because of the perception that they can
finish things in the last minute or in other words beat the deadline set unto them. Most cultures,
prominently the Japanese, are mindful of their time because opportunities and other important facets are
lost because of laziness to finish work at the most plausible and efficiently swift time. This negative habit
of procrastination for Filipinos will always bring disease not only in the society and community but also
to their personal life. According to respondents in a survey conducted by Social Weather Station, as they
are already in the habit of procrastinating and accustomed to it, running away from it will be a hard test of
character for him to carry. Unless he remains unwilling to change, they not expecting to see a better
Filipino psyche. In this instances, it is possible to change one’s own self first and the world will follow
suit. With those invaluable insights, the respondents, as self-confessed procrastinators, still salivate to see
a better Filipino culture but the answer already lies within their tongue, that change comes only to those
who changes himself first. We can evaluate Mañana habit by comparing it to an illness – treat it while you
can.
There are still a lot of customs and traditions in the Philippines which most of us today fail to fully
comprehend. Perhaps because these were prevailing even years before we were born, perhaps we were
never meant to go the other side and go to the direction which most of us go – but it does not have to be
this way. Promises have been broken, but sometimes the culture, or a fractal of it that is broken which
hinders us, needs to go out the door. The Caste System of India is deeply rooted in their tradition in their
early years and unjust as it is, these social stratifications paved way for organized functionalities in their
society – but it had to go because it violates the rights of man, emphasizing that we can go against the
flow where it need be.
We can argue that culture is, in its precepts, man-made practices invented by our ancestors who do not
know any better than us in this modern age. Many of these traditions are meaningless or obsolete because
they have failed to adapt to the changing time, the preferences and similar facets which needs to be
addressed. Hence we need to ask the deeper question: why do we keep doing these things in the first
place?
Many Filipino customs and culture are in fact detrimental to the financial health of families. There are
those that also cause undue stress and trouble to the community. These harmful practices need to be
phased out. As radical no-nonsense President Rodrigo Duterte likes to say about bad things Filipinos do:
stop it. These customs and traditions that contribute nothing to our advancement must see the beginning
of their end. Many people however cannot stop things quickly. We should at least take the first steps, no
matter how insignificant or small it could be, to bringing about the full removal of such unwanted
baggage.
Unsatisfied and still curious about true meaning of their tradition, some Filipinos are curious, perhaps
even lost, on the true meaning of culture. To better illustrate, a girl who lives in Spain was assisting her
mother cook the Thanksgiving turkey was quite puzzled when she noticed her mother slice off the two
ends of the turkey before placing it in the oven. Wondering why such choice portions had to be removed
unnecessarily, she asked her mother the reason. The mother simply answered “That’s how it has always
been done by my mother; I am only following the family tradition.” The girl went over to the living room
where her grandmother was seated and sought a better explanation. The grandmother said “Well, I did it
because my oven back in those days was very small. It was the only way to get the turkey to fit. There’s
no reason to do it nowadays with ovens as big as your mom’s. The girl went over to the living room
where her grandmother was seated and sought a better explanation. The grandmother said “Well, I did it
because my oven back in those days was very small. It was the only way to get the turkey to fit. There’s
no reason to do it nowadays with ovens as big as your mom’s." This is a reverberating example which
monumentally defines the perception and thinking of most Filipinos - practicing traditions and culture
without understanding them, the very reason for the existence of the dreaded Manana habit and fake-
patriotism among others.
Since the earliest days when Filipinos spoke and wrote Baybayin to this modern day and age where man
sport man-bun and people walk the streets fixated on their phones, we cannot argue on the importance of
culture in our individual selves and as a collective members of the nation. What makes a Filipino is his
drive, his resilience which makes him stand out the most. We want to stand up, and it has been our goal
for decades, but we cannot climb the stairs to development burdened like Atlas with the weight of our
undeserving traits. We must let go, and when we do, that’s when Filipinos can stand up even higher.