Rediscovering Filipino Values: I see, I act, I advocate
When I was barely ten, every time my sexagenarian late grandmother redundantly narrated her everlasting romantic story on how she was courted graciously and decently through an old Filipino courtship “Harana” by my well-mannered well -mannered grandfather, I must admit that some part of my being was unconvinced with her selfrighteousness. At times, I thought that her out-of-date chronicle was only her way of telling that she was indeed a woman to admire. But as I grow up, whenever I think over on how she managed to maintain her demure and self-effacing Maria Clara character all throughout her grown-up years, and pass these old-fashioned qualities to all of her daughters, I have to confess that I felt a sense of self-respect and gratification because I compassionately believe that I am what I am today for I was honed and nurtured by my beloved mother through the image of my modest grandmother.
To our distinguished board of judges, beloved school heads, teachers, parents, friends, ladies and gentleman, a pleasant afternoon to all of you. I started my speech with reverence to my grandmother’s conservative way of living for I want all of you to picture the scenario when she was still a teenager during the World War II where women were looked upon as epitomes of virtue that truly deserved to be placed on the “pedestal of male honor”. A commendable reputation every woman would be thankful for contrary to what have been reported nowadays in the Internet and other forms of media that Filipinas are maliciously being viewed as mail order bride services or as “sex kittens” that would make good wives for older Western men. I stand before you today as one among you, a private citizen and an ordinary student who doesn’t have h ave enough authority and influence in our society. But I speak before you today, as someone who has an unfathomable faith in the time-honored Filipino values – someone who believes that we Filipinos have so much potential for greatness and deserve a beautiful country and a bright future in our own land. Yes, it is certainly interesting to note that we, today’s youth is truly a unique breed for we hungrily embraces change, excitedly explores innovations and fervently achieves breakthroughs. But let us examine ourselves. What values are ascribed to many of us today? It is so depressing to note that in these modern times, as our intelligence continuously progresses our redeeming values incessantly deteriorates. The positive and a nd encouraging encou raging virtues of humility, integrity, love and compassion taught by our venerable ancestors have been replaced with unkind hypocrisy, arrogance and disapproving behavior towards people. What makes them worst is that these damaging philosophies were done deliberately not to gain respect but to attain dominance or control in the eyes of the public. Friends, what is being asked of us today are to become good Filipinos, to become good citizens through small acts everyday. We must start planting small seeds of patriotism in our hearts and minds by rediscovering our utmost treasured traditional intrinsic worth. Let us all be persistent in practicing good deeds to one another for according to the late American President Benjamin Franklin “ The people’s habits will determine the destiny of their th eir nation.” If nation.” If all of us could learn to do this, we could become
the greatest generation of Filipinos in our history. Always remember that what will make our country beautiful is not economics, but love for one another in the concept of one family as a people and one family as a nation. These are “bayanihan” and “damayan” in true forms, awe-inspiring spirits of communal unity to achieve a particular objective. Folks, the maladies concerning the deterioration of our positive value system as Filipino are only a drop of water in the widespread ocean. But, if allowed to worsen into fatalism, these admirable characteristics that have been the envied of many can hinder initiative and stand in the way of progress. We have to be aware that our submissiveness with the problems concerning with the weakening of our principles and ethical standards mean accepting that we are ready to face whatever ill-fate is coming in our way. Ladies and gentlemen, let us all understand that “pakikisama” may mean amiability and teamwork, which is helpful; but it can also mean conspiracy if only to protect group integrity, which is harmful. Likewise, “paggalang” or veneration is valuable if one reveres merit or respects each other’s ideology and rights, but becomes destructive if it leads to blind traditional values of the questioning impulse. Today, as we campaign and struggle for the rediscovering our positive moral values as Filipinos, let this meaningful reminder from an unknown author becomes our guiding principles in life“ Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” May we all be a true Filipino in thought, in word, and in deed for it is a prerequisite to the realization of leading a healthy life with dignity. Again, a pleasant afternoon to all of you
