NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM

“The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility while the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to a war.” (Sydney J. Harris)

During our high school days, we were asked by our Filipino teacher to create an essay about us being proud of our nationality. I don’t know why but it was really difficult for me to start the composition and to think of things that I can be delighted of as one.

Being a Filipino, indeed, is not that easy. I even doubt it at times because of the kind of government that we have. One of the worst of those is to be tagged as one of the most corrupt country all-over-the-world.  Aside from that, it also pains me to hear that Mindanao is considered as a barbaric island because of the bombings, terrorism and many other negative issues that people hear on the news. It seems that we need war to gain peace.

However, as I continued to right on that paper, I realized that being a Filipino is something rooted deep within me because same with our heroes and heroines mentioned in our history, they fought not for war, but for independence. I am fighting but on a different way, to be able to be the best that I can to the people who actually believes in my capacity.

At that moment, I found the exact words to start and end my essay and appreciated every single word written on that intermediate paper. I know that it was not enough to showcase how proud I am to be a “Noypi” but in my heart and in my soul, it is unwavering.

Filipinos are family-oriented, that is why we can see grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and nephews living almost in the same street or sometimes in the same compound because we always have the need to feel close to our family. We respect our elderly by doing the “Mano po!” We call our father and mother, “tatay”, “nanay”, “papa”, “mama”; and we also have endearments, “adding”, “kuya”, “ate” and many more.

We are not isolated; in fact, we know how to handle different situations with different people, making as good team players. We love to interact, yes, it is not a unique attitude because other nationalities do the same, but for us, we tend to be much comfortable being in a group.

We are adaptive to changes and we can easily learn other languages.  We are learners and we really love learning a lot. We try to learn about our neighboring countries not only to please them but also to be able to understand them deeply and for us to be understood by them, as well.

Filipinos always find simple reasons to smile, even at time of calamities and disasters. I remembered when the typhoon Yolanda hit on November 8, 2013; everyone was really devastated by it. However, we can still see Filipinos smiling, not because they’re happy, but because smiling for us is a sign of hope from God and that despite all hardships, we are brave and we keep on fighting and trusting God.

Philippines is made up of different religions because in history, different countries conquered the republic creating dominations. Even if we have different Gods, we respect others beliefs and we acknowledge that our love for God is the same in our hearts. We are a praying nation.

Filipinos are flexible and very resilient. We know how to survive without the means of new technology. As one story from MMK, a family that lived in a cave for many years and still endured the poverty they’ve been through really showed we can use our own resources, time, efforts and ability.

We are so hospitable, that is the reason, and many countries prefer Filipinos to be caregiver because we have that lovingness and tender care to aide people. We have a soft spot for the abandoned, less fortunate, the orphan and most especially to the elders. We are humble in the light of recognition.

I will speak more of being a proud Filipino on and on. Some values may have changed through time but the blood that runs in our veins does not make us any less of a Filipino. We are Filipinos because we remain deep-seated to our cultures and traditions. 

And I will always be proud that I am a Filipino, “sa isip, sa diwa at sa gawa”, I love being a Filipino, proud, honored and dignified to be a real and embedded Filipino from head to foot, from left to right, inside and out.