I Am a Filipino

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I remember meeting someone who keeps saying “sa Amerika ganito”, “Bakit sa States ganyan”, at “buti sa ibang bansa ganito. The most hurtful is hearing someone of your own race and color call another Filipino cheap. Suddenly I wondered, is it really cheap to be a Filipino? Is being a Filipino a problem?

There are a lot of Filipinos recognized in the world for their contributions in different fields. Like Teofilo Yldefonso, known to be the first Filipino to win a medal in the Olympic Games. Manny Pacquiao, of course, our eight-world boxing title holder. Monique Lhullier, a well-known fashion designer in Holloywood. Broadway diva, Lea Salonga, who successfully played her role of Kim in Miss Saigon, and Dr. Fe del Mundo, the innovator of modern incubator. These Filipinos offered their successes for the glory of the country.

Yes, I am a Filipino, the foundation and strength of our nation. History strengthen the faith of being a Filipino. We are Filipinos, the children of our Mother Land. I remember Bonifacio who once stated, “Aling pag-ibig pa ang higit sa kadalisayan at pagkadakila? Gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa.” It means that on one will love our country except to its inhabitants.

I will use this opportunity to awaken all of you already consumed by the system which already cast off their Filipino identity; those who love other nations instead of our Mother Land. Those people think selfishly and betray the very virtues we have been founded upon; those who can’t acknowledge their indigenous products and who think this country is cheap; I will not let this country be filled by these people as they renounce they are Filipinos.

Let this be heard in all parts of the world, this country has its noblest glory. I am Filipino, a true-blooded Filipino.