Disclaimer: I'm not an expert and my response could be hypothetical, as this is base mainly on observation living in the Philippines.
First, the question is so broad that it requires an expansive and detailed answer. But yes, in particular situation (I am a Filipino) and I noticed this, specially on social media where one can boldly mock other ethnicity. The perceived lack of unity complex issue stemming from a combination of geographical, socio-political, and economic factors. Again, it may not a exclusive behaviour among Filipinos, as many nations face internal divisions, like racism, but certain challenges are prominent in the Philippines.
From my own point of view and observations, the common reason as to why Filipinos aren't solidly unified is because of the geographical fragmentation resulting to different ethnicities / tribes and the tendency to clump according to ethnolinguistic groups. To simplify it, you'll notice the air of superiority among people from different regions and ethnicities, and even political parties has the tendency to divide the Filipinos.
Like for example, I hope you get my point, when Filipinos separate themselves from other ethnicities or regions, a clear sign that Filipinos aren't unified as one Filipino race.
Luzon vs. Visayas or Mindanao. Tagalog vs. Bisaya, Ilocano vs. Bisaya or Mindanaoan vs. (insert other ethnic group). And here, DDS vs. Dilawan (political parties).
If you'll noticed, Filipinos tends to stick with a particular group for fear of being left-out or “outcast”. Regionalism is very strong among the Filipinos, and there were no strong effort exerted to make the Filipinos as one united race. It is mostly one favors anyone from her own circle than from the other regions. Unlike in political groups where leaders in the last few decades feel like a string of substitute teachers. You get good blips of strong identity and nationalism but it does dies out quickly.
Luckily, this is only happening in the Philippines, or like what I've said, in the social media/ online forums. It's a bit different among Filipinos living abroad as they exhibit a strong sense of nationalism which can be perceived as high unity. This cohesion is rooted in the traditional Filipino of togetherness, which are often amplified when they are in a foreign environment. Yes, Filipinos are happy to see a fellow kababayan in a foreign land, no matter if they came from different regions.
There's is a national unity among Filipinos living abroad.
Yes, because the Filipinos are basically came from a collectivist culture. They prioritized the needs of their family or groups, for example, rather than their own. Being in a foreign country often involves facing difficulties like homesickness, cultural differences, language barriers (if in a non-English speaking country), and workplace challenges. These shared experiences create a strong bond and the need for a familiar support network, and thus, they sought the familiar belongingness from fellow Filipinos.
On the other hand, Filipinos, when they come together, form a society where the people blindly follow what is popular or what has been done for a long time, but not necessarily correct or beneficial. They have come together in a society that blocks any attempts and suggestions for it to improve. They form a society where criticism of culture and politics is taboo because it disturbs the harmony and “brings every Filipino down”. When someone points out the good…and then also the bad, it's sad but Filipinos are also quick to disown or distance themselves from criticism when addressed to Filipinos even not in general.
“Don’t lump us all together! Not all of us are like that!..
I experienced this when I made a comment regarding a post on FB about a Bisaya making a rude comment to people from the north. She's clearly enjoying the anonymity which I doubt if she's courageous enough to say those things in person. And so I respond with a cryptic comment, and lo, in a matter of minutes I was dogpiled and my pictures on FB are screenshotted and made it as a temporary laughing stock from the Bisaya - speaking online community. I'm not saying that Bisaya people are mean, it's just an obvious representation of ethnic division among Filipinos.
In short, Filipinos behave like a herd when being praised or validated, but suddenly point the finger to someone else, and allow all hell to break loose, when being criticized or when their faults are there for others to see. As a Filipino, this makes me think, is this like a skewed sense of unity?
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