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Education, Global studies, Coaching & Leadership Updated 7y
Thanks for asking this delicate yet significant cultural question especially about Filipinos. The thing is we love our country but historically we were discouraged from doing so. However, as I teach my students, culture is created by people and likewise can be changed and improved by people themselves. I have shared Filipinos’ strongest attributes in my past writings, this time I will provide three traits that are worth improving.
- LIFETIME SAVIOR Trait: Filipinos have an extreme sense of initiative and responsibility. One who is able, traditionally the eldest child but can be anyone who is able financially and more fortunate, in the family will help and support the rest… not temporarily but a lot of times, unconditionally. The part that is UNCONDITIONAL and PERMANENT in the process of helping is what is wrong because the beneficiary becomes helpless, hopeless, forever victim, handicapped, and more negative and destructive consequences. I believe that help with no boundaries or end, when there’s no period when the beneficiary will be independent and strong to stand up on his/her own—- is no help at all.
- FAMILY FIRST Trait: Blood is thicker than anything. You can break the law, violate even the simplest traffic rules, do something wrong in broad daylight but allegiance is first and foremost towards the family. I love my family but I know I am first faithful to God and also part of the community, country, globe, and this planet. I think our country which is historically, culturally, and naturally rich can prosper more and more if we can just love it just as much as we love our families. I have witnessed a lot of negative, perilous, and unhealthy situations from people who have put family first above the law of God and society.
- “PASALUBONG” Trait: According to the World Populations Review of 2016, there are about 10.2 million Filipinos living abroad. I am one of them. What’s challenging with living abroad is you know you worked so hard (we have this admirable reputation) and you definitely need to be home, see your beloved extended family and country, check the neighborhood, reunite with friends, eat authentic cuisine, and tropical dishes, enjoy the exotic beaches, and pristine rural areas somewhere. Nevertheless, what's discouraging is you won’t pay only for the costly airfare but likewise for expected gifts, yes expected, because gifts are an outright demonstration of generosity as the reward of your success outside the country. Some people have tried to change this tradition, going home without anything but yourself and you invite family and chosen friends only to eat or go out, but still, the general rule is you go home with gifts for everyone you care (big number) and your vacation shows that you have money because you live abroad. I think we have to understand that Filipinos living abroad are just the same people as everyone else, in a different work location and residence, with distinct challenges and difficulties, with heartaches, stress, tribulations and joys, and most importantly facing severe issues such as depression, discrimination and work abuse. I have met a lot of people undergoing difficulties which they couldn’t share their families at home, because they said they are abroad and they are expected to suffer less in comparison to those back home. I disagree.
All your comments are welcome. There is no perfect culture or country. We can all learn from each other to grow exponentially.
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