"Proud" to be Filipino

Suddenly remembered Charlie, from USA whom I met in Cagayan de Oro last August. He has been living in the Philippines for 4 years all because of love. "Cheesy, that is so sweet!" I replied and smiled like the ends of mouth are reaching to my ears already. Then rephrased what he said "I am only staying here just to be with this Filipina I married. Nothing more, nothing less." My smile faded, gave him a poker face. I was getting it all wrong. Next thing I knew he was giving a litany of he described as a very well thought and justifiable observations of our country that any local in legal is aware of these but not everyone does something about it either because he does not care at all or he thinks these are what compose of a definition of our normal life. [Word meaning screenshot from Webster online dictionary]

"Traffic and pollution, government corruption and you Filipinos are too proud of your race!" A well lived life is not about what race you are from but it is all about the rights as a human being wherever you are.

Ok so let's talk about the word "proud." I have seen a lot of labels and statements of these phrases everywhere. In fact there are a few businesses that bloomed from selling and promoting of being "proud" of our country. Some are "" I am proud to be a Filipino or I am proud to be a Filipina", "Proudly Pinoy or Pinay" etc on T-shirts, mugs, arts and a lot more. And of course how we become so gaga and uber proud whenever someone is making waves abroad that is from the Philippines or with Filipino blood or ancestry. [Word meaning screenshot from Webster online dictionary]

The definition of our patriotism today  does not extend to this word "proud" alone. I think it is rather appropriate to say this way "I am a Filipino or I am a Filipina." There is no single adjective that can perfectly describe our race or anyone's race.When one says "I am Filipino", he declares his unique identity from the rest with a distinct culture and of mixed heritage. One cannot judge a country of superior race just because of its most advanced technology  nor be inferior if the greater population is still illiterate.

We do not need to support somebody only because he is a Filipino but because he is a Filipino with an exceptional skill, talent or advocacy that defines the image of the Filipinos and later becomes our label.  Just as we need mirrors to know if w are looking great we need to listen to the points of view of a  "non-Filipino" to gauge how "proud" we are as Filipinos. This is my two cents. What is yours?