However, it went through many years of colonization. After much struggle and pain, it finally regained its freedom. But fast forward to today, it seems like the greatness hasn't returned.
The world looks down on the Filipino race. Despite proving themselves globally, the Filipinos are still invisible and defeated. What happened? What’s the root cause of this? Is there any resolution that can be done?
I can only think of the long colonialism. The colonizers invaded our lands, erased our glorious culture, and introduced theirs for us to adapt. But why did we allow ourselves to be affected by it? They did so much hurt to us, and yet we choose to become their servants. We're supposed to stand up on our own and fight to become great again.
Why did we allow ourselves to forget who we really are? Because of this, we couldn’t appreciate how our brilliance and skill with our bare hands led to the majesty and grandeur of the Banaue Rice Terraces. Our craftsmanship in gold astounded even the best silversmiths in Europe. The inscriptions of the Laguna Copperplate indicated a rich language we had.
Why did we allow ourselves to forget who we really are? Because of this, we couldn’t appreciate how our brilliance and skill with our bare hands led to the majesty and grandeur of the Banaue Rice Terraces. Our craftsmanship in gold astounded even the best silversmiths in Europe. The inscriptions of the Laguna Copperplate indicated a rich language we had.
I’m more than grateful for heroes who made an effort to prove to the world that the Filipinos are a unique race. I think of Juan Luna and Felix Resureccion Hidalgo, and their winning masterpieces. But what struck me the most was Luna appearing in the main cover of a publication wearing a kimono because the animator had no idea what the Filipino is like. I say this is an effect of such colonialism.
It’s undeniable that these colonizers have an enduring influence on our culture. However, this has caused us a unique cultural problem. We’re confused between our Asian and Western identities. It has become a roadblock for us to progress as a country. Because of this, we've become a race who doesn’t know its true worth, thus becoming easily enslaved.
We can get angry at the West or belittle them for this. But we can’t just dwell on it for life. With the given damage, the only way is to embrace that specific uniqueness we’re given as a race and use that to create a story on how we can be great again.
We need to start first with ourselves. And we need to work on several bad attitudes or habits we need to heal ourselves with:
* We have a bitter view of competition- that if we can’t win, no one will.
* We procrastinate things that can be completed immediately.
* We don’t do something to make things happen. We leave the outcome to come what may.
* We condemn people who don’t follow a norm, to hide our failure of not following such.
* We’re excellent at starting something when we're excited and then become lazy when the excitement is gone.
* We’re excellent at starting something when we're excited and then become lazy when the excitement is gone.
* We don't observe punctuality in our needed activities.
* We talk about others’ business, in that we emphasize the secrets, failures, and flaws, without knowing the real story.
* We blame others when we don’t take responsibility for our own mistakes.
* We blame others when we don’t take responsibility for our own mistakes.
* We become insensitive to other people’s needs because we focus too much on our needs.
* We don’t follow simple rules and instructions.
* We embarrass ourselves as a desperate need to become the center of attention.
* We become too sensitive. We get easily offended for a negative criticism about us.
* We live beyond our means. We overspend because we want to live an elite lifestyle.
* We complain against the government or any societal issues, yet we don’t do anything about them.
* We lack the faith of something of our own we can take pride in, therefore choosing ones outside.
* We lack the faith of something of our own we can take pride in, therefore choosing ones outside.
* We don’t take pride in our skin color that comes from our people’s history.
* We lack faith that success can come to our country, therefore choosing to reside in a foreign land for good and change nationality.
As a people, we need to remind ourselves that we’re a race that’s one of a kind. We’re destined for greatness. We can stand out from the rest. We have all we need to raise ourselves up to the world so that they can see what we’re really made of. We’re a people of pride, integrity, and dignity. And most importantly, we’re a people of bravery, courage, and perseverance. With head held high, we’re ready to fight and die for our country no matter what happens.
After we know and put to heart our true identity, we move forward. We have the power to change the course of our country's story. And it's now up to us on how we can contribute something to our homeland.
I think of the future, and I only have one wish for the country: to be truly free from the shackles of her past. I want to see her rise high and fly free so that she can be who she’s called to be. The people will then bring back their faith in her again. They will know her story and identity by mind and heart, and the next generations to come will enjoy the fruits of the labor of those who came before them. She can truly shine and live by her name of Perlas ng Silanganan.
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