“Sa 30 ka tuig nga pagupdanay namon sang akon bana asta siya mapatay nangin miserable kag budlay guid ang pangabuhi ko kag sang akon mga kabataan kay tama guid ka istrikto sang iya, tama mag disiplinana sa amon mga kabataan,kag maabtik ang kamot manakit. Ako gani may mga beses nga basta akig siya kag wala sa modo, ginatampa niya ako kag iban pa, pro indi man guid grabe nga pagsakit. Palangga niya ako kag malambing sa iya, mo lang na galing istrikto kag mapintas basta init ulo niya. May ara man gani nga mga tsismis nga may mga babaye ukon kirida siya. Masakit batyagon ang tanan nga ginpang-agyan ko upod sa iya. Wala guid ako nagpadaog sa akon kaluya kag kahuyang, nangin mabakod guid ako kag ‘pirmi ko ginapinsar kag ginabutang sa panghuna-huna ko nga dapat mangin mapinasensiyahon kag mapinatawaron guid ako.’ Wala guid ako gapaapekto sa mga nagakahanabo sa amon pamilya. ‘Ginapalapad kag ginamayo ko lang guid ang mga panan-awan kag panindugan sa kabuhi ko.’ Nangin positibo guid ko pirmi biskan tama na kabudlay kay indi ko gusto makit-an sang akon mga kabataan nga nagahibi kag naga-surrender ako. Amo ni subong, nagapasalamat guid ako kay biskan amo to ang napang-agyan namon, masadya kag naga-ugyunanay ang akon mga kabataan. Kit-an kag bal-an mo man to siguri sang diri ka nag-tinir sa amon sang pag pastoral niyo ligad tuig.Gatinguha man sila sa ila pagpangabuhi kag nagasharay lang kami kung ano may-ara ang isa kag isa.”

A mother has a very great role and part in order for the family to sustain its harmony, peace, strength, unity and serenity. She is considered as the light of the family. Her presence uplifts and strengthens the bond of the family. She shows and gives more care and love for the family. She has to be flexible enough in dealing with her husband and children. Like of Nay Amelia, she has been a good example as a mother for a family. Despite the hardships, struggles and pains she experienced in life, she brought an aura of a true Filipino mother who is patient, loving, caring, brave, hardworking and God-fearing. She believed in her perspective in life that patience is a virtue and be positive always in dealing life’s challenges.

In connection to Platonic view which speaks about the world of ideas, ideals, use of reasons and critical thinking in order to attain truth and perfection in life, Nay Amelia Danay was not being affected and being controlled by the sufferings she experienced and saw especially from the cruelty of his husband, in other word, she was not troubled by what she witnessed and saw in the world of senses or in reality. Her positive outlook or point of view in life which she always put in her mind or idea made her strong enough to face the trials in life. Focusing on the world of senses or reality that seeing her husband becoming cruel and brutal to her and to their children does not actually help to solve the problems. It is truly painful and hard but she has to be positive and courageous in seeing life. 

All of us humans have different views in life. We have different views in looking at things, situations, life in general and we have different priorities. It is because we are subjective in nature. Not all the time, our views are the same with that of others. There are really times that we are the same with theirs and there are also times that we are different with theirs. Our view in life is important. Aside from the difference in views, we also have different stories in life. In this paper of mine, I want to share what was shared to me by the one I interviewed in our requirements in the subjects Ancient Philosophy and Filipino Philosophy about the story of his life and his views in life.. He was just a simple man with a unique story and view in life.

I interviewed one of the common faces we seminarians would often see, but not all of us know him. He is Vicente Gonzales. We know him in his nickname “Itik.” We would often call him “Nung Itik” to show our respect to him. Nung Itik is presently working in the parish of Our Lady of Candles, Jaro Cathedral. He is a parish driver. He serves humbly and passionately the church through driving the priests at the Cathedral. He was born here in Iloilo. His father was an Ilonggo while his mother was a Tagala (from Laguna). In his early years, he lived in Laguna. During his fourth grade, his grandfather got him from his parents and brought him here in Iloilo. He had his first year and second year high school at the Iloilo National High School. He had his third year and fourth year at the Pius. He had his college at De Paul College taking “COMSEC”/ Computer Secretariat. While he was still a student, he sacrificed going to school every time there is a busy schedule in the parish. He did not finish his college.

He started working at the Cathedral at the age of ten as a sacristan because his grandfather was the sacristan major during those times. When his grandfather retired, he became the sacristan major. He was a sacristan major for almost eighteen years. During the time of Msgr. Escañan, he resigned as a sacristan major. After that, he became a driver at the Segovia Nissan for almost two years. After working as a driver at the Segovia, he worked at Saudi Arabia in a “Dairy Processing” for two years. After his contract at Saudi, he returned here in the Philippines and worked again in Cathedral as a driver because his family needs his presence. Presently, if we total the years of his work at the cathedral, it is near to thirty years.

Nung Itik’s Desires in Life

Nung Itik has a complete family. His wife works at DTI. They have two children, one male and one female. His elder son is now a father. That is to say that Nung Itik is now a grandfather. His son became a father at the age of seventeen. He is still studying at the present. His daughter is taking Hotel and Restaurant Management.

One of the desires of Nung Itik when he was still in his early age was to become a priest. He did not enter the seminary and pursue priesthood because he had it in his mind that it is hard to become a priest. He said that priests are intelligent because they give homilies in the mass. They must be fluent speakers. Because of his high expectations for priesthood, he did not tried to be one.

Aside from Nung Itik’s desire for the priesthood (in his early age), he has also desires for his family. First, he desired that his son will become a priest. His son didn’t want to become one. It did not materialize because his son now is a “padre de pamilya.” Second, he desired that his daughter can finish her studies. Third, he desired that his grandson will become a priest in someday. He wants his early desire for priesthood to materialize in his grandson. Fourth, he desires success for every member of his family (especially to his children and grandson). Lastly, as a driver and a father, he also desires to have a car (even the simple one) because he wants to have bonding with his family and bring them in other places. These desires mentioned by Nung Itik are just some of his dreams in life that if will come to reality, he will feel fulfillment.

Plato’s Theory of Form

Plato was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the foundations of Western philosophy and Science. (Wikipedia)

Plato is known in his Theory of Form. For Plato, there are two worlds. These are the World of ideas and the World of senses. They are different worlds because in the World of Ideas, all perfections exist while in the World of Senses, matters and imperfections exist. The Form exists in the World of Ideas. In Plato’s philosophy, the soul came from the World of Ideas. It is imprisoned inside the body which is a matter. Matters exist in the world of senses. The soul cannot remember everything in the World of Ideas. What he can do is to try to “remember” what exist there (World of Ideas). While the soul is imprisoned inside the body, he “yearns” and “craves” to know whatever is in the world of forms, and to recall whatever  is in the World of Ideas.

Connection of Plato’s Philosophy in Nung Itik’s View

As what I have observed, Nung Itik’s view in life had some platonic flavor. In Nung Itik’s desires in life, we can apply Plato’s Theory of Form. Nung Itik’s desires in life that are not achieved or still in the process of achieving exist in the world of forms. They exist in the world of forms because they are just potential to happen and not actual. That is why, Nung Itik “craves” and “yearns” for it to happen/materialize. If it comes to reality, his desires are no longer in the world of ideas, but in the World of Senses. When it is in the World of Senses, one will no longer “yearn” for it. 

The story happened in an island called, Cuyo, in Palawan. The story is about the life of a woman named, Ploning. She is very popular and respected by the people in their place. She is a very kind hearted person. She knows how to get along with other people and make good relationships with them. Being so good and very friendly, she is considered as the adviser of the people, especially when they have problems. She is so very nice in dealing with them and she knows what to say and give in order to help other people with their problems. She gives brilliant advices that can comfort and help those who need them. But eventhough that Ploning has all these goodness within her and had close relations with other people, they still find it difficult to know her true person.

It is said in the story that Ploning had a lover named, Tomas, and a native also in that place. They both love each other. But the conflict happened when Tomas went to Manila leaving Ploning alone in that place. From then on, Ploning still hopes that his lover will come back soon and they will both continue what they have started- their love. Ploning keeps on waiting and waiting until such time that she knew already the fate or what happened to her lover. Tomas. Actually, Tomas went in Manila to have a medication for his sickness. But unfortunately, he didn’t make it. He was not cured, but he died. Upon knowing this, Ploning was so affected of what had happened to her lover, which makes also a great change in her life. In order not to be noticed by the people who are so close to her, she just pretended to be ok all the times, hiding only her true feeling of mourn and frustration. That’s why people also noticed that she loves to hear story from them but she never mentioned to them about her own story, or her love life with Tomas. Her only escape or, somehow, her refuge of her feeling of mourn and frustration is to pour them out through writing them in a peace of paper and keep them that nobody could see or read it. This is her escape from the reality, which made her very different from her true person before.

The character of Ploning best depicts some of the greatest culture of being a Filipino. As Filipinos, like Ploning, we are so respectful and very hospitable all the time. We really give great value with our relationships with other people sharing our thoughts and wild ideas with them- we are fond of making so many friends and make them as our family that we chose for ourselves wherein we are so secured to share to them all our ups and downs- revealing our very person, because we now that they are willing to listen and help us. But the problem with us sometimes is that, we, Filipinos are so good in terms of giving advices and ideas to others but if we are already on the situation same as theirs, we don’t know also what to do and we can’t even apply the ideas and the insights that we are giving to others. We can be a great help in others’ problem but we find it hard to solve our own. The other trait of being Filipino that can be seen in the character of Ploning is that of our “culture of silence.” We, Filipinos because we don’t like the occurrence of conflict in our society, or even in our home, our tendency is just to keep quiet, shut up our mouth, and pretend nothing bad happened. This kind of point of Filipinos view serves as an accomplice to all the anomalies that we are having right now in our society. It doesn’t mean that if we don’t want war or we are not the direct objects, who will be affected mostly of the anomalies in our society, we will remain silent and do nothing. We should think that if it is not us, there will be other innocent people who will be affected and will become defenseless victims of these anomalies that we have in our society. The culture of “hipos-hipos lang” will do nothing for us. Instead, it will bring us more conflicts and problems, just like what happened to Plonning because she kept silent of her feelings, the people who are close to her were no able to help her or to give her inspiration to become who she was before and it would somehow help her to gain back their good relationship of her father.

The movie Ploning, though it is very simple and has a “bitin” ending, it brings about important lessons and insights, especially for us, Filipinos that there are things in our nature, as Filipinos, that we need to give up in order for us to improve more ourselves  so that we can develop a good and progressive society. 

“Ploning”, as we all know, is a movie rich in culture because of its setting which is far from urbanized places. That is why it is not difficult for the people who live there to preserve and maintain their culture. Each individual in the movie depicts a certain cultural acts. Each person generally speaking was overshadowed by their culture

Comparing the people in the movie and today’s generation I could say that we, as the people of this generation, are lost. We are totally lost. It is the development of the technology that we are becoming lost who we really are.

At first I wanted to portray the image of Ploning, a girl and the main character in the movie “Ploning”, in my reflection paper but I told to myself maybe it is the same person also that my classmates wanted to portray. Because of that I prefer to choose and portray the image of the elder brother of Lito, specifically his role in the last part of the movie.

In the last part of the movie, Lito, unknowingly, met the sons of his brother. And at that part of the movie Lito found out immediately that it was the son of his brother because when Lito told them to go to the sea to wash they immediately replied that their father would be angry and punish them when they saw the two of them in the sea. Why? The two boys explained to Lito that their father has a younger brother who lost in the sea because of their father’s carelessness.

The attitude of Lito’s elder brother portrays a cultural characteristic that he doesn’t want to happen again to his children what had happened to his younger brother because of his carelessness. Although their place is near the sea Lito’s brother prohibited his children to go to the sea. Maybe Lito’s brother is very open to the possibility that it would happen also to his children. We could say that this could be and possibility as kind of culture in their place. They are open to the possibility that the tragedy that happened before will happen again.

And Lito’s brother also portray in the movie how important is his brother, Lito, for him. Even in the last part of the movie, for how many years have passed, Lito’s brother still never forget what he did to his brother and probably I believe that everyday of his life Lito’s brother spent time at the sea hoping Lito to come back. It is because of that hope that we are able to wait. It is because of that hope that we become patience.


To conclude, I could that, based to the character which Lito’s brother portrays, there are cultures that is partially good and bad like not taking a risk and but to avoid things that might happened again. But what is essential is their being was able to be defined by their cultures. Their wholeness of person was able to be noticed among others because of their culture which is different from the others. 

Ploning is a romantic family drama film based on a popular Cuyonan song of the same title a girl’s hidden feeling in a man’s point of view. Ploning is known as a hardworking and thoughtful woman who despite her age and beauty, she is not yet married. It is later revealed that she had once loved a man named Tomas fourteen years ago, however this man left her. Life goes on for Ploning. She continued her roles as a dutiful daughter. She was so successful in caring the town. Ploning is a strong woman and do not hurt other’s feelings. She does not smile or talk too much. She has a good relationship with her neighbors. Viewing the movie Ploning, the character of Ploning depicts the personalities of real Filipino woman. Ploning shows the characters and behaviors of Filipina women such as being thoughtful, conservative, kind, hardworking, responsible, patient, understanding, caring, generous, friendly, strong, lovable, pleasing and beautiful as well. In the entire movie, Ploning shows how conservative she is especially on the way she dress, how responsible she is in the household chores, how calm and pleasant she is the way she acts, speaks and interacts with others, how respectful and kind she is to her neighbors, and how caring and loving she is especially to the small boy named Digo. These are some of the good qualities, values and characteristics of a true Filipina woman.  Filipinas are indeed generous, hardworking, very caring and loving. These women support their families through thick or thin. The caring, hardworking, responsible, supportive and loving nature of the Filipinas is very clear to see. Filipinas would never abandon a child or a member of a family in need, like Ploning she really gives her care and love to Digo and treats him as her true son. It reminds us that a true Filipina mother really cares for their children.  Ploning is also understanding and patient. These are also some of the good values of Filipino women, being understanding and patient. Most Filipina women never engage in a dispute or argument because that type of behavior does not reflect a lady. Filipino women are taught to speak politely, with a gentle tone of voice. Arguing is just not acceptable, especially in public. Filipino women are soft spoken, quiet and understanding. Like in the case of Ploning, she never had an argument or confrontation with her neighbors. Because of her being patient, soft spoken, tender, and quiet many of her neighbors love and appreciate her goodness. That is why also she has many good friends in their community. Even though Ploning is not married, she is excellent home makers and responsible in household tasks. As we all know, a Filipina women are excellent home makers and are obliged to a responsibility as a good wife. Filipino women display their home as a symbol of pride and they do their best to create a warm and pleasing environment for their family.

Ploning is also simple yet so beautiful and attractive woman. We can see in her face the true beauty of a Filipina woman. One thing that the Filipino women have on their side is their gorgeous and fresh beauty. They always stand out. They are considered a natural beauty. The reason why Filipino women are very popular in today’s society because they have a natural beauty that is so attractive. Many people wonder where that beauty comes from. No doubt, why there are many foreigners chose to marry Filipina women because there a lot of traits that Filipino women have made them very desirable as wives and female companions.

Sad to say, nowadays, these good qualities and characteristics of true Filipino women have faded and gone away already. Filipina women in the past are very different compared to the present generation with regards to their attitudes and characteristics. Today, it is hard for us to find and recognize Filipino women who are thoughtful, responsible, caring, conservative, and have pleasing attitudes. I believe, this is a great call and responsibility especially to the girls of today’s generation to follow, maintain, and continue the good values and characteristics of true Filipina women. 

Ploning (Judy Ann Santos) was the main character in the movie “Ploning” directed by Dante Nico Garcia. She was a beautiful, simple, silent, industrious, generous, open and accommodating kind of Filipino woman in the island of Cuyo, Palawan. She was portrayed like a “sinaunang babae” like our grandmothers because of her being conservative and wisdom. She was not talking so much about her feelings. She was “may-kaya sa buhay” but just simple. It was revealed in the story that she loves a man named Tomas. Tomas went to study in Manila and find opportunities. She kept on waiting for Tomas. It was later revealed in the story as it enfolds that Tomas is dead. Only Ploning and Tomas’ mother knew about his death. Ploning was broken-hearted.

Ploning was the type of a woman whom I personally like. Her simplicity makes her more beautiful. In the present times, with all the advancements in technology and sciences, it is hard to find a simple woman like Ploning. As what I have observed, most of the women (in my age) in the present time are over-acting, “ma-arte”, smokers, drinkers and most of them do not value their virginity. Ploning was far different from them. Her goodness was near to perfection.

To be simple externally is beautiful. External simplicity does not mean being left-behind in terms of fashion, or being mediocre in terms of looks because of not putting so much make-up in ones face. Being simple is beautiful because it reveals the truth, it reveals the true look of the face. I don’t say that looks do not matter. Of course, it matters a lot. It’s very good to look good and presentable but one’s true beauty can be seen without make-ups. True beauty can be seen in one’s natural face It’s already enough to have a combed hair, nails cut, and well-dressed. Putting so much make up in ones face is just the same as hiding from a mask.

If external simplicity is beautiful, internal simplicity is more beautiful. Internal simplicity for me refers to being humble, being selfless and being open to others. It is not being mediocre in thinking and in doing things. For me, humility makes a woman more beautiful in the inside. Ploning was a humble, modest and respectful woman. That is why she was respected by all the people in Cuyo. She was as important as the rain. Ploning showed how humble Filipino women were in the past. Of course, being humble is part of our culture. In the present era, some women are full of pride, no nothing about being modest (sexual reserve) and some are disrespectful. It shows that some Filipino women now do not value humility. Humility is important because it also leads us to being open to others. Ploning was a woman open to others’ views in life. She does not consider her views alone but considers also of others’. Ploning was also selfless. She gives and gives without expecting any reward or return from others. What is important for her is that she had offered her help to others’ needs. I believe that we Filipinos are industrious people. I myself have the tendency to give and give without expecting any returns. It is good to help others especially in emergencies but in my case, sometimes I can feel that I am abused because of my too much availability and willingness to help others.

Ploning was really a simple woman. Her simplicity makes her more beautiful both in the inside and outside. She was one of a kind woman- very respectful, very open to others’ views, humble and modest (sexual reserve). That is the reason why she was as important as the rain. If I will meet a woman like Ploning, for sure I will like her so much. Nowadays, it is hard to find women that are simple and modest. Simplicity and modesty are two of Ploning’s characteristics that most of the Filipino women in the present do not have. Simplicity is important externally, because it shows one’s natural beauty and also shows that one is not that materialistic and worldly, and internally, because it shows that we are humble enough to accept that we are not perfect, that there are things in life that we don’t know and that others’ views are also important as our views. Simplicity and modesty makes beauty!

“Existence precedes and rules essence.”

-Jean-Paul Sartre

Existence or Essence?... which comes first? Since then, this has been a great topic for the philosophers. It has been an issue that forced them to really trace up the truth about it so that everybody will be enlightened and will understand what exactly they need to know. Upon pondering this very tricky and mind-bugling type of question, it made me pause for some moment and really think deeply of what will be my answer, if it is Existence, or it is Essence that comes first? I never expected that I will encounter this kind of question as I tread along the path of philosophy. But in fact, it is one of the helpful topics of philosophy which can really help the individuals, who are studying it, to know and to understand thyself. It leads them to know the wider perspective of being a “Man” and what they ought to do in order for them to fulfill their existence.

As I study philosophy and having already the idea about it, I can say that it is my existence, being a “Person”, comes first before my essence as a Filipino. Why is it so? As what Jean-Paul Sartre said, “Existence precedes and rules essence.” Yes, how is it possible that I’m a Filipino if I’m not a person, or existing first? Filipino is just a label of my existence as a person. If we are going to put it base on our faith, as an example, it is written in the Bible (in the book of Genesis) that God is the source of everything and thus he was able to make the world and all its content. He made the first human beings, which was said to be our first parents, Adam and Eve. Generally, he made them as “Human Persons”. He never mentioned about what kind or breed of person they are. He never said that they are Americans, Brazilians, or even Filipinos. The only thing that he said was he will make a human being (person) out of clay. Another example that I would like to introduce is that of the invention of gadgets: like laptop and cellphone. Existence comes first before essence. The laptop was being made because the inventor intends to make it (a material form of laptop) and not because it is Toshiba, Lenovo, Samsung, etc. The cellphone was being made because the inventor intends to do so (a material form of cellphone) and not because it is Nokia, Samsung, Myphone, etc. Both the inventors of the two gadget made first the material forms (laptop and cellphone) before they give it to the Company that they would like to name after their inventions. How can we name a thing or could have an idea about it if it doesn’t exist before us? Our essence depends upon our existence. We, Filipinos, were being called Filipinos because we are existing beings (we are humans, embodied ego, persons, etc.). We are called Filipinos because we are living and considered to be as citizens of Philippines, because citizens of Philippines are called Filipinos. But generally, we are first human beings, from the moment that we came out from our mother’s womb, we never immediately recited the Panatang Makabayan, rather we seek immediately the call of our nature being a normal human person, the hug of our mother to warm us up and the milk from her breast to fill our hungry stomach. We even know first how to crawl before we know how to sing the Lupang Hinirang. We even know first the face of our parents before we know the faces of our national heroes. We even know first how to speak “mama” or “papa” before we know how to resite the names of our presidents. This reality of the cycle of life only proves that our “Being as Persons” comes first before anything else. It is only later on that we know that we are Filipinos, when we have already the consciousness about it.

As my conclusion, I can really say that it is clear for me that my existence as a “Human Person” comes first before I knew my essence as a true blooded “Filipino”. It is because my essence only depends on my existence. If I do not exist, how can I say that I’m a Filipino? To whom will I say it since nobody can’t acknowledge my existence? That’s why my existence comes first, because my essence simply follows it.

By nature, we are human. It is only our traditions and cultures that we become distinct from each other. Filipino is different from American. Swiss is different from German although they live in one continent yet different country. Indian is different from Egyptian. Filipino, American, Swiss, German, Indian and Egyptian are some of the common name of a person that lives in a certain and common place.

I am Jose Ramon Calsado. I am a Passinhon. I am an Illongo. I am a Filipino. I am an Asian. I am human. I am human first before I become an Asian. I am Asian first before I become a Filipino. I am a Filipino first before I become an Illongo. I am an Illongo first before I become a Passinhon. I am a Passinhon first before I become Jose Ramon Calsado. In addition, before I was born, I am expected to be a Passinhon no matter what name will be given to me I am still a Passinhon. My being human is the only thing which is universal in which I, as Filipino, shared in common with the German, Swiss, and Indian and so on.

Jesus’ teachings is for the whole humanity, not just only for the Israelites or the Jews but for all. The teaching of Jesus which is for the humanity shows only the fact that what is important and the basis of our life here on earth is our being human. It is by being human that we will attain unity to each other. It is only by being human that we may understand fully and deeply the meaning of our life.

I become a Filipino because I am a human being. Within the context of my being a Filipino, essentially speaking, Jose Ramon Calsado can only be a Filipino if he has a bloodline of being a Filipino and will cooperate, participate and live the life as a Filipino.

Being human is our final goal yet this goal is already within us. It lives in us. My being Passinhon, Illongo, Filipino, Asian and Human, universally, is all within me. Jesus speaks to us as human. Therefore being a true human is allowing Jesus to enter our life. and by allowing Jesus to enter in our life that is the time that we are doing the will of God. 

Which comes first, being a person or being a Filipino? This question sounds so ordinary and simple, however, if we try to go deeper and reflect upon this question, it reminds us of who we really are, of our true nature as human persons, of our real existence. Obviously, the answer would be, ‘being a person comes first’. It is important for us to know first our persons, who really are we, what are we, and many more. Each day should be a moment of asking “Who am I?” and of searching for the true meaning of our existence.


What is a person? This question examines philosophical questions concerning the nature of personhood. It is important for us to have a clearer understanding about the nature of person for our own benefits, because we it happened that, we believe we are persons but we act as if we are animals. “A person is a human being, or an entity that has certain capacities or attributes strongly associated with being human. It is the kind of entity that has the moral rights to make its own life choices, to live its life without interference from others.” Person is a human being who has a body, has intelligence, can speak, can relate to others. For me, a person is man. In fact, there is no man who is not a person. A person is a being who is gifted by God to act morally towards others. He is a relational being. A person has a feeling. Being a person is different and can never be the same of being a pet or an animal.

Being a person comes first because first and foremost it stabilizes and builds our characteristics, behaviors, uniqueness to others, our very selves. Knowing first our being a person follows of knowing our being a Filipino.  Our being a person reflects of our being a Filipino. The way we act, speak, deal with others, and live as persons show and reflect of our being a Filipino. Being a Filipino is just an essence and extension of our being a person. Being a person determines your being a Filipino.


Person is an act. The act of a person determines the person. Meaning, the act of a person determines of his being a Filipino. “To act is to be.” Each person acts constantly and that acts of person reveal the person. The way a person relate towards others, the way he speaks, the way he lives are all acts of a person, and that acts of a person simply shows of his real being. For a clearer understanding and explanation, we are determined and recognized as Filipinos because of our own unique cultures, traditions, language, religion and characteristics. These are all our acts as persons. Our act as Filipinos determines our unique cultures and traditions. Our cultures and traditions that define us as Filipinos are all our acts as persons. We are all human persons; however we cannot be all Filipinos. Therefore, being  a person comes first.

            

In this world, we people are divided into different races, cultures, religions, and nationalities.  Some of us are American, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino and some are even combinations of different races and nationalities. We are living in a world full of “differences.” These differences makeus unique from others for“differences” make “uniqueness.” Even each and every one of us is unique in our own ways. Being who we are and what we are is being unique. As time continues to flow, a lot of countries have developed their own philosophies. Every philosophy is “unique.” For example, Greek philosophy is more on “ideas-to-structure-and-contents” while the Oriental philosophy is more on “nature-balanced-to-life” and “ideas-being-practiced-and-applied-in-life.” So the question for now is what is Filipino Philosophy? Is there really a Filipino Philosophy? What is unique with our philosophy?

To be “unique”and “to stand on our own” are probably the main reasons why we Filipinos want to make the whole world see what our identity and philosophy is, what Filipino identity and philosophy is all about. In order for us to have a name in terms of philosophy, we Filipinos want to stand out on our own through creating a philosophy just as like the Greek, Chinese and other countries did.  What is it to be a Filipino? Do we really have a Filipino Philosophy? Being a Filipino is hard thing to achieve because a lot of foreign countries have conquered and influenced us. If we strive to be a Filipino, we will get confused because we have a lot of cultures, practices and languages in our country. We were influenced by the Spaniards, Americans, Japanese, Chinese and other cultures. We even have a lot of practices, languages and religions. We cannot blame history for these. For now, I can say that we don’t have a Filipino Philosophy and we have a weak foundation for our identity. We cannot still stand on our own because we have a weak foundation. If our foundation is weak, we will easily fall down. I think we can only build our philosophy on the time wherein it is clear for us what really is it to be a Filipino. Our identity as Filipino is still not clear. We are still influenced for now and maybe until in the future. We cannot stand on our own.All that had happened to us in the past is somehow a blessing in disguise. It may not be that good but we became Christians and educated people due to our colonizers. Our foundation is still weak for we are still starting to stand and build our identity as Filipino. Our being a Filipino for now is more on having a lot of cultures and practices which has both an upsides and downsides. For now, the best thing we can do is not to focus on building our Filipino identity and philosophy. What is more important for now is to focus our selves on something which is more important than being a Filipino. It is to be human.

“Being-Human” precedes “Being-Filipino.” Before we focus on our being Filipino, it must be clear for us what is it to be human.Being human is more basic than being a Filipino. As what I have learned in Ethics, the most basic principle in being human is “to do good and avoid evil.” No matter what our race is, we are called to do good and avoid evil. Goodness has no religion. Being human has no race/nationality. This law is absolute and immutable. Our titles, status in life and being Filipinos are just accessories. To be human is the true treasure we must achieve in life. We are given only one life to live. So why then will we waste it in doing non-sense evil things? Before we proceed on our being a Filipino, we must be well founded on our being human. Doing good is more important than practicing our being a Filipino. If we speak of Filipinos, we only refer to the Filipinos. On the other hand, if we speak of human beings, we refer to all human beings no matter what is their race, nationality, culture, language and religion is. Being human is greater than being a Filipino.

Filipino identity and philosophy is good if we Filipinos can practice it. If we cannot, at least we go back to the basic which is being human. In that way, no matter the differences we have from others, we will be able to communicate and understand each other through our being human. Being good and avoiding evil is applicable to all races and religions. If we will focus on being human and not on our “differences”, we can build and establish good relationships with others. Being human is being good. Being good is to love, care and respect our self, others and God. Remember, “Being-Human” precedes our “Being-Filipino.”