Let us consider for example our national flag which is the symbol of our nationality. This rectangular piece of cloth identifies us being a Filipino. But according to Prof. Randolf S. David, “We may sing the national anthem, as the flag is raised, and recite the pledge of allegiance everyday, but these do not do not automatically evoke in as a consciousness of being a part of a nation.”What’s the use of uttering such if we don’t even recite it by heart? In other words, we are just taking it for granted.
National symbols like our national flag may give us a sense of being a Filipino, but these do not reveal our identity. Like for example, the barong tagalog, “without doubt, it is the garment of defining moments in the lives of Filipinos, from cradle to grave. The barong reminds the Filipinos of who they are.”It may really identify us apart from other nationalities, but it is only an external identification. Knowledge of these symbols is not enough to identify yourself as a Filipino. What really matters most is our culture. Culture is our identity.”Filipino cultural values are widely-held beliefs which make some activities, relationships, goals and feelings important to the Filipino people’s identity.”
Yet, observance of this culture is now deteriorating. The culprit behind this is our colonial mentality. “The Filipino way of thinking that everything foreign is good is still embedded in his personality.”We prefer foreign culture more than our own.
Now, I can conclude the fact that there is still a Filipino identity. Yet the identity we have in the past is different from what we have now.
Ronnie John Pascua
SOURCES: Ma, Corazon Alejo-Itila, Mitzi Marie Aguilar-Reyes, and Anita Feleo, Garment of Honor, Garment Of Identity (Manila: En Barong Filipino, 2008), 17,271 Tomas D. Andres and Pilar B. Ilada-Andres, Understanding the Filipino (Quezon City: New Day Publishers, 1987), 5, 151
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