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.”
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.”
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