Reflecting on ChinoF’s blockbuster, “Why Pinoy Pride Will Never Save The Philippines”, I can see where “Pinoy Pride” can go right and actually help people make something of themselves.
Image from https://twitter.com/pinoyfried
A conversation with one of my oldest friends made it clear to me that sometimes declaring some association with Manny Pacquiao, Erick Spoelstra, or some other Filipino that made it big on the global stage on account of nationality does some good.
| SUPPORT INDEPENDENT SOCIAL COMMENTARY! Subscribe to our Substack community GRP Insider to receive by email our in-depth free weekly newsletter. Opt into a paid subscription and you'll get premium insider briefs and insights from us. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter, GRP Insider! Learn more |
In that conversation, my friend talked about the situation of an OFW he knows. Being one of the few Filipinos in a large company in a country known for a lot of OFW horror stories, not many of the OFW’s co-workers knew where the Philippines was and what a Filipino is. The most that they knew about the Philippines was that it was the OFW’s country of origin and that the OFW was one of the many “servants” in the company.
So while the OFW was serving out a contract, the Quirino Grandstand fiasco happened and then everybody in the company was suddenly aware of what the Philippines was. Now, can you imagine what it would be like to be one of a few Filipinos around after a CNN News report delivers the gory details of such a report?
I’d probably make myself scarce.
Right now, thinking of the case of yet another Filipino who was executed for drug trafficking is making me cringe, and that drug trafficker adds yet another name to a long list of infamous Filipinos.
ChinoF makes a great point here:
Pinoys love to imagine that they are “oppressed” people in the world. But when they do things like post pictures of themselves wearing their employer’s clothes without permission (the maid in Singapore), slap a helpless Alzheimer’s patient (Jonathan Aquino case), steal from a US children’s cancer fund (Rene Ballenas pleaded guilty to larceny), make a loan in the U.S. then run home to avoid paying it, murder a famous fashion designer (Andrew Cunanan killing Gianni Versace), complain about someone else’s name (the Filipino complaining about someone being named Kiki in Australia) or be on the defensive after the botched Manila Hostage Crisis, you know they are far from “oppressed” or “deserving pride.” It’s more like they need therapy. If only there was a psychiatric treatment called Ego Therapy.
So, imagine yourself being asked, “So, you’re a Filipino, like (insert name of infamous Filipino here)?”
Without Lea Salonga, Manny Pacquiao, Spoelsta, Charice Pempengco, or whoever, a Filipino overseas would probably have to just shrug and humbly admit you don’t have a retort.
Of course, some would point out that OFWs ought to be known more for the quality of their work rather than the associations they make with the accomplishments of others. Of course, that would be the right thing, but then again, it isn’t always the case that employers look on work performance alone — like I always say, there’s hardly any justice or fairness at when you’re an employee.
Beyond being a snappy retort to “So, you’re a Filipino, like (insert name of infamous Filipino here)?”, being proud of being a Filipino because of Manny Pacquiao et al can be a good thing… Only if one lives up to their example.
Be proud of Spoelstra, and be the same kind of strategic thinker that he is… Be proud of Manny Pacquiao at his best, and devote yourself to preparing yourself well for every challenge… You get the drift, right?
Be proud to be a Filipino by being like your Filipino Idol.
As for the put-downs on Filipinos, just think… Social media is about reaction and interaction. With so many Pinoys around the world and online, either insulting a Pinoy or conferring some kind of distinction on one immediately creates a buzz/gets ratings/sells books.
If you haven’t figured that out by now… well… tough.
Writer.
Aside from being proud, we should be thankful for people like Lea Salonga, Manny Pacquiao and others. Thankful that they prop us up despite the mistakes other Filipinos do. It’s never a sign that we’re inferior or superior as a people. It’s a sign that we’re just human like the others.
There’s a right kind of Pride, though. Like for instance, if you are proud of your parents’ achievements then perhaps making sure that you achieve as much as they have may become a driving force.
Some people from Olongapo pride themselves for having been a turnaround city and they bring their attitude of can-do-it-ness wherever they go.
I’m proud of Chino. Haha!
Haha, thanks.
While Paul is certainly right on this explanation of Pinoy Pride, it is also quite sad in a way. I mean, what if we had Lea Salonga and others without things like the Bus Hostage Crisis and other Filipinos making mistakes on other things? If only we didn’t lean onto the real Pinoy achievers just to save face, we would have a real reason to be proud. My original point still remains – if only we could have less of Pinoy mistakes. Then we have many reasons to be more proud.
Yet another view: if I were abroad and that happened, and someone said, “so that’s your country?” (Bus Hostage Crisis on TV) I might reply, “Sadly, yes.” If someone screams “You Filipinos are murderers!” there’s no use defending oneself. That’s what they saw on TV. But certainly some others will say, “Oh, I’m sorry to hear, is it quite a mess in your country?” I would try to explain it, and perhaps it could lead to a more constructive discussion.
That’s what I said in my article about Shame; sometimes we have to own it. Someone may try Alex Lacson’s approach: we’re not all like that, we’re really good people. But that still comes off as defensive. At times, you just have to keep quiet and prove that you are still a good worker and law-abiding citizen yourself. Let your actions speak for yourself.
Chino’s article, is it a record for # of comments?
it sux being known by the country/place you are from sometimes. BUT riding someone else’s coat-tails is actually despicable as it is laughable.
Oh! I can name a few people who’re riding their Papa’s coat tails ragged and don’t get me started.
It begins with Pnoy and ends up with so many other people.
We should focus more on our Pinoy prides (Batista, Francis Libiran, Bruno Mars, etc.) than the those unfortunate events you mentioned.
I forgot to mention that Bam Aquino is also a Pinoy pride because he won as one of the most outstanding youths of the world.
Lies. Sham Aquino is indeed a, well, SHAM. Just for political ambitions btw. So, what are his achievements?
Please, don’t tell me because of his last name. Last names don’t matter. 😀
You’re telling us that we should focus dwelling ourselves on delusions and false prides such as this. True Filipino Pride comes from COLLECTIVE achievements, not individual.
You can’t be proud of what you didn’t ACHIEVE, idiot. You were born a Filipino, much like I was. Hence we both cannot take ‘pride’ in something we were put into. I’ll give you 1/10 for ‘proud’ trolling. 😛
“Pride ka ng pride kahit na fried chicken ang dala mo?” -Dely Atay-atayan.
“either insulting a Pinoy or conferring some kind of distinction on one immediately”
All other nationalities must remember that insulting our kababayans or our country must have their death wish.
I hope you’re sarcastic. 😛
You just point out that one of the authors are right about that.
Keyword: BALAT-SIBUYAS.
You look like you watch too much telebasura, Kapamilya. XD
Love of country and love of God are two outmoded tribal forms of thought that rely upon faith, rather than reason. The joy of belonging to something larger than yourself is understandable in adolescents that are fearful of venturing into an adult world. However, as adults; to continue to look for a great father to solve our problems is counterproductive. We should also ask: Who benefits from propagating a system of thought that promotes a divisive “us against them” mentality?…why those in power, of course. All this flag waving is a distraction to keep people from thinking critically about their own government. Filipinos are no better and no worse than any other people. They are simply doing the best they can, given the circumstances they find themselves in.
I like what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and
exposure! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.