Altered Natives Looking at Alternatives (Second of two parts)

The Filipino identity is an unfinished business, a work in progress.   It is a mosaic portrait which is the result of a long history of interaction with politico-cultural influences that have made the Filipino

cosmopolitan, thereby, resilient and revolutionary.  Culturally, we are Asian, Arabic, European, American, indigenous, etc. etc. rolled into one.  This is manifested in our diet, in our songs and dances, in our religious beliefs, in our patriotic political ideals and in our physical features which are as varied as the world can offer.  The Filipino, an amalgam of all these, is in the process of becoming.

Negative ascriptions like fatalistic, crab mentality or “ningas cogon” (or short-term enthusiasm) do not define the Filipino personality. Social scientists disclaim these characteristics as uniquely Filipino. They are behavioral traits generally bred in a society of uneven opportunities and hopelessness that are dispelled when people realize that they can pro-actively work together to uplift themselves.

The Filipino identity draws inspiration from the path our national heroes have taken in the struggle for freedom and national independence, bringing us to a vantage point where we can view where we have been from the perspective of where we want to be.   Our directions are clarified by the lessons that world history has taught us – that a nation will travel confidently in its journey if it decides internally to shake off all forms of bondage. 

The liberation of the people from the bondage of Egypt was not so much the decision of Pharaoh but the determination of God’s children acting out His will.  And this is true for all peoples that have to gain genuine freedom.  If we believe that our journey must be charted by mainly relying on our talents and treasures as a people, not even Globalization can dictate our destiny.  We take our place with the nations of the world by strengthening our foundations from within, not by casting our fate along globalist paradigms that often put us at a disadvantage. 

Reinforced by the principle of loving and helping one’s neighbor found in Christian, Muslim and Buddhist scriptures, as well as in the religious and cultural practices of indigenous Filipinos, genuine spirituality does serve as a purifying factor in our secular world.  “Bahala na ang Diyos” is not necessarily a fatalistic incantation but an affirmation that there is a Supreme Being, on the side of truth and justice, who metes out the final judgement, not in a detached way, but by being present in history. 

Our patriotism and our faith in a merciful and just God form part of the Filipino psyche.  This is not to say that Filipinos are in full agreement.  It only means that we have more to unite on than otherwise and that there are more than sufficient reasons for us to live in solidarity and harmony amid diversity.

We may never reach a final destination and that is part of our destiny.  But history has shown us the way and it is our turn to carry the torch and to pass it on to our children.  They, too, will continue with the journey.