What is the best thing about being a Filipino?

Ferdinand Reillo, Pasig City: We are in high spirits even in times of crisis. That’s the best thing about being a Filipino.

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Las Piñas City: Each individual has his own good and bad side, no matter what nationality you are. Being a Filipino is nothing special.

We are a talented race

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: It’s our ability to speak English. When you’re in a place full of different races, it feels good to know that you have an edge over them. And being a talented lot, we can learn faster, especially when bilingual capability is a must.

Ronali dela Cruz, Metro Manila: We can be proud that we have produced talents in sports, entertainment, theater, fine arts, and other fields. Indeed, our ingenuity is world-class.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Despite the anomalies in our government, Filipinos continue to excel in their fields of endeavor. Charisse Pempengco, Lea Salonga, and Manny Pacquiao are just a few who make us proud.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: It’s an honor to be a Filipino! To the world, we are easygoing, happy and resilient people. To employers, we are hardworking and easily adaptable workers. With proper training and experience, we can be world-class staff. To our families, we are loving and caring members even to our grandparents down to distant cousins! To our neighbors, we are supportive and cooperative friends! To our church, we are prayerful and active members! To Chinese businessmen, we are very good customers! If only we could have honest and sincere government leaders!

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Pacquiao is presently the toast of the whole world and he’s a Filipino.

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: The average Pinoy knows two languages plus two to three dialects. Any other nationality can only dream of this.

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: The emergence of Manny Pacquiao as boxing’s biggest draw is the best thing about being a Filipino.

We are survivors

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: We may have so many moral and social flaws, but one thing good about us is that we are resilient to adversities.

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: Having innate resiliency, even during hard times, is one of the best things about being a Pinoy.

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Filipinos are resilient; we do not easily give up; and we have the ability to face even the most difficult tests in life with a smile.

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: The best things about being a Filipino are our warm hospitality, our undying family ties, and our resiliency to overcome whatever situation.

Ilde Ricardo, Dumaguete City: It’s our capacity to weather adversities in the worst of times.

Noel Banias, Metro Manila: The Filipinos’ ability to bounce back from adversity and weather the worst storms tops the list.

Aldo Apostol, Quezon City: We are resilient and hardworking!

Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: We have a cheery disposition to succeed even in the midst of pain and need.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: We Pinoys are survivors, for when we are down we prefer to bite the bullet than put the bullet in our head. Unwittingly, I have been contributing to this effort since 20 years ago up to the present as president of the mango growers’ association of my province.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Our resiliency is the best thing about being a Filipino. We can still afford to smile amidst all our mounting problems. In short, the Filipino is a survivor.

Mary Jane Tomon, Metro Manila: We are fighters and survivors. We don’t easily give up even in our most tragic days. We always smile despite what is happening in our lives. Also, Filipinos have a good attitude, like respect for elders and hospitality. Everyone knows we are very approachable; even if we don’t have money, we always make ways to offer visitors something.

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: We have the ability to survive in the worst of situations. This was proven during WWII, when times were harsh for all of us, and it’s being proven again in these times, when the economy is being ravaged by some vultures in high places who continue to worsen the lot of Filipinos, especially in the face of this global crisis.

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Filipinos are resilient people who are now considered as the modern-day Jews, scattered all over the globe. Kaya natin magtiis kahit araw-araw may krisis.

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: We never surrender in a fight, just like our ancestors during the 1896 Revolution. Today, we are still fighting for a better democracy.

Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: We Filipinos are known to be good laborers. We can survive anywhere in the world because we are used to hardship. We love to eat – that is our weakness.

Ed Alawi, Davao City: A Pinoy is resilient; he can withstand harsh conditions and be jolly during good times. Don’t ever berate him in public, or you’ll get a balisong in your neck.

Land of the free

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: The freedom to do anything we want.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: That we are a sovereign nation and we live in a free and democratic society is more than good enough for me.

Close family ties

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: For me, it is our cheerful nature and close family ties.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Filipinos are known for their close family ties never matched by any other nation in the world. In general, family members stick together for better or for worse. Amidst hardships and difficulties in life, Filipinos can still smile and be happy. That’s grace under pressure at its best.

Alfred Competente, Bulacan: It’s our ability to adapt to any crisis, environment, and any situation for the love of family. Filipinos work away from home just to provide a good quality of life to his family.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Filipinos are best for being liberally kind to friends and strangers alike. But how he dignifies his love for his family is the best thing about a Filipino.

Glen Reyes, Quezon City: We are family-oriented. We take care of our elderly with love, care, and respect until they die.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: What I like most about us is that we are flexible when it comes to anything that comes our way. We don’t give up easily. We are fighters and we don’t surrender just like that. One more thing, we are family-oriented, for in everything we do, foremost in our minds is our love and care for our family, so much so that even up to our grandchildren, we normally opt to live together under one roof. Getting old is nothing to worry about because our family is always by our side.

Filipinos are God-fearing

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Being a Filipino, I’m God-fearing and hardworking.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: In spite of religious differences, the burning spirituality in all of us is the best thing about us. It is our acumen to discern with certainty the good from the bad and ugly.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: We are God-fearing, peace loving, family centered and, talent-wise, globally competitive.

Rene Poder, Manila: The best thing going for us is our Christian faith. The better we follow its teachings, the better our nation shall be.

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: One important feature of an average Filipino is his religiosity as a faithful follower of his religion.

Bad outweighs good

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Wala po ako maisip kasi bad things outweigh the best in us. Nagsimula po ito during the Marcos regime. Naging materialistic na ang mga tao.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: I’m sorry to say this, but honestly, except for the two successful “People Power” bloodless revolutions, I know of no other best thing we could be proud of. We are not really resilient, as other nations have undergone and are still undergoing worse situations. Yes, we have great men, like Rizal, or great boxers, like Pacquiao, but other countries have more of their kind. Sorry.

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Kung hindi lang sa crab mentality ng karamihan sa mga kapwa natin Pinoy, we would be the best race in the world.

Life’s a beach

Rey Onate, Palayan City: We’re hospitable, happy, forbearing, and talented karaoke singers.

Jose Parco, Aklan: We take everything in stride; hence, we don’t see the seriousness of maladies affecting the rest of the world. We are the happiest people on earth! In fact, we are all over the world yet we always communicate and care about what’s happening back home. We love our strong family ties, we have a strong faith in God, we love to celebrate fiestas (sometimes even mistaking our elections for one). No matter what hardships we face everyday as we eke out an honest living, we never fail to put up a natural smile!

Seth Carranza, Catanduanes: Even amidst crisis, ordinary Pinoys can still find time for karaoke and other simple leisurely activities, unmindful of the daily difficulties we face in life.

Edwin Chinel Monares, Riza:l The best thing about being a Filipino is our being cheerful. We can still manage to give a radiant smile amidst the adversity. Our being resilient is also admirable. Even in deep trouble, Filipinos will always look and work for the best.

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: It’s our inherent ability to joke and laugh despite problems hounding us everyday. It’s a common sight to see a group of friends in a neighborhood having a drinking session by the road anytime of the day, without dint of worry on their faces. Women huddle outside their homes, enjoying the latest gossip in town without thinking of time. It’s very Filipino and nothing like it can be seen in other parts of the world. No problems can faze us for we let tomorrow take care of itself.

Geoffrey Gumban, Davao City: We manage to laugh and be tough even when times are rough.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It’s the Pinoy’s capacity to transcend the difficulties in life. It’s his positive approach in dealing with problems and challenges that face him everyday. We Pinoys have an innate attitude of taking things gracefully. We can see that in the sincere smiles of Pinoys; that’s why foreigners love it here and we are known as one of the friendliest countries.

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: The best thing about being a Filipino is our extraordinary resilience amidst serious problems. Our ready smiles and friendliness are uniquely ours.

Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City: The best thing about us is that we are a happy people even when faced with the worst tragedies and calamities. We are also a friendly lot, and we have short memories.

The natural beauty of our country

Jose Jumawan, Laguna: I am proud to be a Filipino because I live in a country blessed with abundant natural resources and scenic sites.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas: Everything, including our culture and our land, which is rich in natural resources, may be good. The exception, perhaps, is the kind of politicians we have.

We’re patient and forgiving

Gina Aromin, Baguio City: The best things about being a Filipino are our being happy, resilient and forgiving.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: My ex-wife and I found out what it was in 1980. Jo had a crush on a French jazz bass player named Michel, while I had a crush on Jo’s cousin Quito. Later on, we found out that they were engaged. That night, over post-dinner cold Lagerlite beer, Jo confessed that the French swine almost broke my heart. The feeling is mutual, honey, I said, and we toasted and laughed at our own stupidity. That’s the best thing about being Pinoy. We may be hurt, but, like a puppy or a child, we always forgive those who wronged us, like Marcos and Erap. We always rise up whenever we fall.

Our achievements as a people

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: We are the first Asians to fight the Americans, we built the rice terraces, we invented the arnis and yoyo, and we gave the world the idea of People Power.

We’re a unique lot

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Pinoys love challenges, no matter how difficult they may be and what’s fascinating about us is our uniqueness compared to other races.

Mariel Vergara, Manila: The best thing about being a Filipino is being who he is not. Different cultures and values were embedded in us. We are very different from others.

We have many sterling qualities

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: The best thing about being Filipino is our unique hospitality coupled with loyalty, humility, adaptability with a unique bad thing, crab mentality. The best thing about being a Filipino is we have our own identity and pride. Our forefathers fought against foreign invaders.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: Religious, respectful, resilient, hospitable, clannish, hardworking, cheerful – these are sterling qualities of the Filipino.

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: Third World country or not, it is a fact that Filipinos are the top of the crop around the world when it comes to values and morals. The bayanihan spirit is an inherent quality of Filipinos. In any place in the world, a Filipino will always be around to help a neighbor in need. Filipinos are also hospitable. May okasyon o wala, a visitor would never get a cold shoulder, rather he will be treated most indulgently even to the last centavo that a Pinoy can shell out from his pocket. The most outstanding traits of a Pinoy are his being resourceful, hardworking and enterprising. Pinoys are resilient, tolerant, patient, and have a deep sense of spirituality and, despite adversity, refuse to give up. Add to that the fact that Pinoys have a good sense of humor.

We’re very flexible

Rowena Remiendo, Manila: We are flexible people. We can easily adjust to anywhere in this world and in whatever situation.

Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City: Filipinos are flexible. We can overcome any weather with a smile.

Jose Jumawan, Laguna: The resiliency and adaptability of Filipinos in coping with changing circumstances of life situations; our ability to roll with agility.

Best of both worlds

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Filipinos belong to a splendid race in a country that abounds with natural beauty and wealth, gorgeous people, rich customs and traditions and a colorful history. Filipinos have the world’s most diverse culture that practically blends East and West. It makes us the most adaptable and likeable people on earth.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Being Filipino in this era means that you are able to enjoy a mix of influences: Spanish food like menudo, US-styled democracy, Japanese animé and other cultural legacies.

You can be above the law

Chris Navarro, Las Piñas City: The best thing about being a Filipino is that you can be above the law if you have the money and the connection. You can be elected as a public official even if the whole nation knows that you cheated and are guilty of vote-buying.

Elpidio Que, Vigan City: Being a Filipino is something else. In the theaters of politics and business, one can see for free comedies of known wolves dressing up as sheep. We can also see tragedies for free. Truths are summarily murdered in the august halls of the country.

Our true heroes

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Many of our countrymen – anonymous and silent workers far from the glare of the limelight – toil day in and day out to earn an honest living. They pay their taxes well, obey even the most basic laws, like traffic signs, vote during elections even without prodding or coercion, attend worship services, assist voluntarily in their local communities to propagate education, peace, harmony and productivity, among others. Una sa kanila ang bayan. Sila ang mga tunay na bayani dahil nakikita sa kanila ang bayanihan na mabuting gawi ng ating lahi simula’t mula pa bago tayo sinakop ng mga banyaga.

Taxes that go to projects

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: Seeing the taxes that I pay go to government projects that benefit us all makes me proud to be a Filipino.

I could go on and on…

Norman Villamayor, Mandaluyong City: Lechon, adobo, balut, sisig, Jollibee, halu-halo, Palawan, Mall of Asia, Lea Salonga, Boracay, Manny Pacquiao, People Power, sinampalukang manok, Hundred Islands, buko pie, Charice, Paeng Nepomuceno and I could just go on and on.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

NEXT INBOX QUESTION: From C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Why, in your opinion, do media and the opposition always question the President’s decisions?

If registered, text philstar<space>fb<space>your message and send to 2256 (all networks)

To register, text philstar<space>reg<space>name,gender,birthdate,address and send to 2256 (all networks)

You may also email your views to: [email protected].