Are you a Filipino?

CEBU, Philippines — There are many realities we can see in the spoofs and humorous depictions of the Filipino. They are fun and enjoyable and real. And it is in that spirit that I hope Filipinos would relish the comical interpretations of our idiosyncrasies. It is when we become condescending of our own race that raises the hackles and makes me somewhat defensive.

I would like to bury the idea of a Filipino time.  Filipino time today should be on time.  If we are late, then we are late.  You do not need to be a Filipino to be late!

Juan Tamad is a wrong representation of a Filipino. Look at how we strive hard to peddle in the streets, braving the traffic. Or how some slave themselves at work, not leaving until the targeted accomplishment for the day is achieved. Or even in dance, when a festival occurs, practice, after practice both young and adults put skill and strength to the test. And when the final date of the mardi gras arrives, they become unmindful of the rain and revel in their dance.

I am proud to be Filipino. With my Filipino nose and skin. I do not need to tan and go under so much sun to give tint to a pale complexion. So I mind, when they say, “ay, Pinoy ra man gud ko!”

We are not an inferior race. We are an embattled one, yes! Being under so many regimes somehow has mixed up our character. But being whole through all the influences that have come our way, has shown us how resilient and strong we have remained.

We continue to be hospitable, but are not pretentious. In history under some foreign influence we at a certain point  were social climbing to be accepted. For a time we were made to believe we were unworthy indios, that we had to please, and get into debt to feed our guests with an ostentatious feast. Our objective was to impress. Now, I would like to think we have evolved or returned to our nature of practical lifestyles. Where we save what we can, and share what we have. 

Filipino ko, Cebuano ko, taga Pinas ko, Pinoy ko! Takes an entirely different context when the word “ra” is added to it.  Pinoy ra gud ko! It has a condescending taste which is unpalatable. Perhaps that is why I appreciate the strong stance of  Governor Gwen Garcia when she pushes to bring out  the best in every part of her province. The suroy-suroy, which takes us to the different towns of Cebu to appreciate the culture of the locality and observe their lifestyle, for me is like a journey of pride. Pasigarbo – literally means to flaunt or to boast – is now the name of a festival that displays the creative talent and skill of a Filipino.  The delicacies that go with the welcoming cuisine in every town of “suroy-suroy” is a delightful treat both to the tongue and the heart. For in every delicate version of the  lechon, bud-bud, binka, puto, puto maya, and other rice cakes, a tradition unfolds.

We cannot box-in  a Filipino to one stereotype. What I know though is we are never a “ra” or an “intawn”, the latter, a far more diminutive expression of lesser worth. But we are a “gyud” or “gud” that is stance of ownership and honor.

To borrow a line in the commercials of my youth: ”Walk proud, you are Filipino!”

AboitizPower solar, geo units earn, retainISO certifications

AboitizPower subsidiary San Carlos Sun Power, Inc. (SacaSun) has earned certifications for its compliance to international standards in quality management, environmental management, as well as occupational health and safety management systems.

This development came three years after SacaSun, the operator of the 59-MWp utility-scale solar photovoltaic power plant located in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental began supplying clean and renewable energy to the grid.

SacaSun passed the external integrated management system (IMS) surveillance audit conducted by TUV Rheinland Philippines, Inc. on October 14 to 16, 2019.

“The organization was able to materialize and continuously provide projects to the community as part of community service relations such as Brigada Eskwela, Community-based DRRM Training and Equipment Donation, and Back-to-School Support for Elementary Schools Project 2019,” Lionell Aala, auditor for SacaSun, said.

Since 2016, SacaSun has been fulfilling its commitment to co-creating safe, empowered, and sustainable communities through its various corporate social responsibility programs, community sponsorships, and ER 1-94 projects.

Meanwhile, AboitizPower’s geothermal unit AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI) maintained the validity of its certificates for ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) for its corporate center in Taguig City and its power facilities in MakBan, Laguna and Tiwi, Albay.

The two power facilities also maintained their ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS) certificate and upgraded their Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) certificate to the latest version, which is ISO 45001:2018.

All three sites registered zero non-conformity in the last four years.