Proud to be a Filipino(?)

Whenever we are impressed with the achievement or talent of fellow Pinoy (Filipino), hyphenated or not; it is sometimes difficult not to express how proud we are to be a Filipino.

When Rep. Manny Pacquiao wins, Charice Pempengco or Arnel Pineda performs overseas, we are proud to be called a Filipino. The same is true when there are good columns written by the Jesuit-lawyer Fr. Bernas, Prof. Randy David or Rina Jimenez-David.

Famous non-Filipino citizens who look like us in the persons of Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, Canadian girl singer Maria Aragon who did a duet with Lady Gaga, former movie idol Phoebe Cates, singer/actress Vanessa Hudgens, Bruce Lee student Danny Inosanto and the like when depicted and admired by the press elicit some of us to say “I’m proud to be a Filipino” although everyone mentioned are American citizen except Aragon who is a Canadian.  Proud for what?

There is no difference when we say “I’m proud to be a Filipino” when there’s a Mexican citizen who looks like us and even has a name like ours winning something big.

Do we need other Filipinos or non-Filipinos who merely look like us to fire up our patriotism and love of country? What if there are none of them? Do we still say “I’m proud to be a Filipino”?

Patriotism comes from the heart and spirit of a citizen. S/he does not need a third party to manifest love and respect to the homeland. It comes from within. If we Filipinos are indeed proud, how proud are we when there is an endemic graft and corruption in the government? When there is grinding poverty because of greed, negligence or apathy? When criminal activities pepper the country? When some if not most of us cannot distinguish or refuse to know what is right and wrong?

If one is proud indeed to be a Filipino, there is no need for the sentiment to be advertised. Do something noble and good starting from within the family which is the foundation of the society and then move on into the community. Patriotism doesn’t only mean joining the armed services. It also means doing something no matter how big or small for the country and fellow citizens.

For me to be proud as a Filipino is to emulate what our heroes did in working hard to make this country bequeathable to next generations. Rizal, Mabini, Bonifacio and Ninoy Aquino to name a few taught us that to be a proud citizen, one is ready to make sacrifice for the country and work for the common good without expecting something in return even to the point of death.