Expository Essay about Filipinos

You know you’re Filipino when…

            Every nation has its differing ethics and typecasts, and the Philippines is no exception. We Filipinos are a very proud and comparatively sophisticated race with a lot of distinctive personalities bonded on each and every one of us. We firmly believe that our country contains one of the most distinguishing individuals in the world though our race has been challenged with certain conditions. We have been colonized by several countries for centuries – noting Spain to be the most influential.  Some of us even went to foreign nations.  However, despite of these, most of our core traits inherited from our ancestors is still honoured to this day. What made the character of a Filipino? What influenced the Filipino race? What makes a Filipino different from citizens of foreign nations?

            Before the coming of the Spaniards the Filipinos had a development of their own. The various aspects of this development doubtless came partly from the Malays who settled in the country and partly from a response to the new environment. Back then, the Filipinos already had relations with other countries. They traded with the Muslims, Chinese, Indians, and other neighbouring nations. When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, they influenced the Filipinos in a way that the transformation of the Philippine colony had created a blending of the native and the Spanish cultures which became the bases of Filipinism or nationalism. Thus, when the Filipinos passed to another era it was the synthesis of foreign and native which more or less guided their behaviour and response to the next century. The customs and traditions, to a great extent, come down to the present and may be found evident in certain circumstances, which have so far succeeded in resisting the impacts of modernization. For this reason, many of the customs and practices of the pre-colonial and post-colonial  Filipinos are still operative in many parts of the country, a circumstance that is, in a sense, advantageous for it offers us avenues for the reconstruction of the distant and surviving past.

            For some, it may seem difficult, if not possible, to define what a Filipino is because of the influences that were taken into contemplation. However, it may seem clear as to what traits are common to average Filipinos from traits that are obviously Spanish or American. The common traits are probably basically Malay, and portray the Filipinos as a people.

            One patent Filipino trait that immediately commends itself to the foreigner is hospitality. This is one of the most popular qualities of Filipinos. Foreigners who have gone to the Philippines find themselves falling in love with their hospitality. It’s a different kind of values which already existed hundreds of years ago. People from different sides of the world are hospitable in their own way, but the Filipino hospitality is something quite diverse for it is depicted as one’s responsibility. What happens when a stranger lost his way and tries to knock at the door of even the humblest pastoral? The Filipino offers him his home. In other places, that stranger might even be suspected of being a thug or a poseur. Consequently, he might be looked upon with suspicion. But, Filipinos think differently. Call it naiveté but the Filipino opens his heart to this complete stranger, and offers the best in his kitchen and bed chamber. The Filipino makes the bed for his guest, and asks with a profusion of apologies, to make his visitor feel “at home”, while he, the host, sleeps on the cold floor. Moreover, the hospitality shown by Filipinos also led to how the Spaniards were able to step foot in the Philippines. However, this hospitality to a fault had been misconstrued by many foreigners, particularly by the Spanish voyagers of the past century, who thought that such show of copious hospitality was a form of inferiority and sycophancy. It was stated also in Rizal’s records that some Spaniards of the last century used to entertain their hearers with tales about the Filipinos whose hospitality they relished and abused, having abused it, proceeding to tell their hearers that they fell “victims” to the wiles of the Filipino women.

            Another, the Filipinos have very close family ties. The family has been the component of society and everything revolves around it. The Filipino family ordinarily comprises of the grandparents, the parents, and the children. The father is the head of the family, but while he rules, the mother governs. For it is the mother that reigns in the home; she is the educator, the financial officer, the accountant, the censor, the laundrywoman, and the cook. But over and above the “ruler” and the “governor” are the grandparents, whose opinions and decisions on all important matters are sought.

            Filipino families go to church and pray together because their religion is important, making God as the center of their life. They also spend quality time together especially after a day’s work. Just watching television or eating together is one great quality time they value most.

            Respect for the elders is one Filipino trait that has remained in the book of unwritten laws. The Filipino parent exercises almost absolute authorities over the children. It is unlikely for a Filipino to do an important thing without referring his parents. The parents also do not disregard children talking back not only to them, but to those older than they are. The particle po and opo may look and sound innocent, but these little words show respect for another. In no other language is respect for another carried to higher point than in the Philippine languages. The practice of kissing the hands or pagmamano is a trait for sign of respect to the elders.

            The elders believe, and demand, that they be obeyed whether they are right or wrong. Their judgement must, therefore, be sought on all important matters that affect the whole family, for what happens to one of the members affects the rest. There is, then, collective responsibility in the family.

            Respect for the elders includes respect for the elder brother or sister. It is the responsibility of the elder brother to perform the duties of the father and mother to the younger members of the family. One finds that among Filipino families the elder brother or elder sister sacrifices even his career for the sake of the young ones who must have an education. Even after his marriage, the elder brother sets aside a small part of his salary for his younger brothers and sisters. The younger ones on the other hand, are expected to look up to their elder with awe and respect.

            Loyalty to a friend or to a benefactor is one feature that is very strong in Filipinos. When you do a little favor, he remembers you to the end of his days. For to the Filipino, friendship is sacred and suggests shared help under any circumstances. A friend is expected to come to the aid not only of a personal friends, but also of the latter’s family. A friend is considered a member of the family and is expected to share its troubles as well as its prosperity and happiness. It is almost inconceivable for the Filipino to betray his friend, and if there be such one, he becomes a marked man: ostracism is the lightest punishment that can be meted to him.

            In addition, Filipinos are also hardworking. One of the reasons is the idea of strong family ties. Filipinos, being family-oriented, often works hard for their family – to feed them and to supply them with their needs. An example of which is the Filipino farmer. Farmers earn so little but still they work so hard for that certain amount.

            People around the globe help one another. However, nothing beats the spirit of bayanihan among Filipinos. In times of adversities and other cases, Filipinos help one another for the common good. They do not let anyone be left behind; together they suffer from bliss and distress.

            Filipinos are not perfect. In spite of our great characteristics, we also have features that we consider our flaws.

            The Filipino is naturally fatalistic. No amount of expostulation on the virtues of science or logic can dislodge him from his idea of fatalism. He believes that whatever happens to him is the work of Fate. The phrase “bahala na” is the best symbol for fatalism, which may be rendered loosely as “come what may” or “what goes around, comes around”. Can you go through that wall of fire? Bahala na. Are you sure you can convince him to give up his plan of leaving home? Bahala na. There are dangers ahead, don’t be so foolish as to rush in where angels fear to tread. Bahala na. This is the last morsel we have; where do we get tomorrow’s food? Bahala na. Don’t gamble your last centavo: you might go home with pockets inside out. Bahala na. He is big and strong; can you fight him? Bahala na. You did not study for the finals; will you pass the exam? BAHALA NA. Such fatalism has bred in the Filipino as a sense of resignation. It is thus that he faces disaster or tragedy with resignation. He appears indifferent in the face of graft and corruption. He appears impassive in the face of personal misfortune. Yet this “Bahala na” attitude prevents him from being a crackpot.

            Filipinos are also inclined to crab mentality. Most of the time, this is observed in politics. Politicians tend to push each other down for the benefit of themselves to go up. They do whatever it takes to make the person drop or be ruined.

            Though common to every nation, jealousy is another trait of the Filipino. He does not look with favor on a woman who flirts with several men. To him, the sweetheart’s or the wife’s eyes are meant only for him and for no other. Even his closest friend cannot kiss his wife with impunity on the pretext that it is a “brotherly” kiss. The Filipino, therefore requires complete faith and loyalty of his wife or sweetheart. Bloody killings, often enough reported in the news and tabloids, are frequent and are usually the upshot of jealousy, for to a Filipino, blood is required to wash the stain of his honor. This may seem bloody enough to a Westerner, but to a Filipino in whose veins flows the Malay “hot” blood, to kill or be killed is an easy way to avenge his honor.

            However, going head to head with these flaws are characteristics that every Filipino are known to be and are proud of: the loving and caring, and the smile.

            Filipinos are sweet and loving people. The way how a Filipino loves is incomparable from foreign nations. Ligaw and harana are forms of courtship that a guy usually does for his live interest. Ligaw refers to the type of courtship where a guy asks consent from the girl’s parents. Traditionally, this courtship is done in the homes of the girls where the parents are. While nowadays, ligaw can be done anywhere. Instances also happen when the girl hides from her parents about courtship. Harana, on the other, hand refers to serenade. By nature, Filipinos love music. Emotions and feelings are usually expressed through music. Traditionally, also, the harana is done at night where the guy sings (or asks someone to sing for him) in front of the girls house, where the girl would be able to see him. Moreover, the traditional harana is often accompanied with a guitar, in which Filipinos love to play. In this day and age, harana is done anywhere to surprise a girl. Aside from guitars, pianos are used to express romance.

            Filipino men are so sweet and romantic when it comes to love. They send their lover with flowers; bring her to a romantic place; text her sweet quotes, and; even tell her how special she is to him.

            Filipino women are also romantic and very caring, that makes foreigners want to marry a kind like them. They tend to prepare dinner before their husband comes home. They are so loving that they value relationship which make them so faithful to their husband. Filipino women love to the fullest.

            Lastly, Filipinos are known to have one of the most delicate smiles – smiles that smoothly portray true happiness. The Filipino smile is unique in a way that wherever life leads us, it is still painted on the faces of resilient Filipinos. Smiles also depict how strong we Filipinos are. The Philippines suffers from numerous typhoons every year. Yet, we still manage to smile after every disaster and keep our feet on the ground to stand solid and valiant. Moreover, these smiles are what make the Philippines loved by many tourists – it is the welcoming smiles of Filipinos that makes a foreigner feel at home.

            We Filipinos are a very proud and comparatively sophisticated race with a lot of distinctive personalities bonded on each and every one of us. Such is the profile of the Filipino. There may be quite a lot, but these stand out from the rest. Wherever we go, and no matter how long we stay distant from our mother land, these traits will never be erased in the book of unwritten laws for these qualities already flows in the Filipino blood – absolute and unified. Like all men in the world, he has the weaknesses of the fallen Adam. But he, too, has his strengths and with these he finds his way in and about the society in which he lives and expects to die. Filipinos brave and noble, irrepressible and audacious – one is very much proud of. There is much to say, but to cut it short, you know you’re Filipino when…