Author of 50 Ideas for a Great Life.
I’m a multi-passionate freelance writer who loves to eat, read, and travel.
1. Humor
A Filipino has the ability to turn any situation into something laughable. It only takes a few minutes after a national issue for funny Filipino memes to surface. One can laugh even in the face of a disaster.
There are so many brilliant Filipino comedians. Some are on TV while some gained popularity through their own YouTube channel. Most are yet to be discovered.
2. Adaptability
This can be a strength but if taken to the extreme I think it’s also a downfall. I once watched a Pinoy who was interviewed after their house has been flooded during a typhoon. I forgot what the question was, but she answered, “Sanay na po kami.” “We are used to it already”. At the surface, it may seem like a great attitude, but looking closer, it drives one into inaction. We have adapted ourselves to different kinds of discomfort that we refuse to look for ways to rise up.
There are Filipino populations in over 32 countries all over the world. We are able to blend. We are able to easily adjust our preferences so that we can survive our current situation.
3. Family Ties and Respect
Filipinos value family very well. We exercise respect, especially to older family members. We have strong family ties and treat our families with utmost importance.
Filipinos are often willing to extend help to family members sometimes even to the extremes. Some Filipinos sacrifice their own pleasure for the sake of the family.
4. Hygiene and appearance
Filipinos are always conscious about how we look and how we smell. We couldn’t stand a day wearing the same clothes or not taking a bath. The need for hygiene may seem like common sense but some other nationalities don’t seem to bother about hygiene that much.
5. Boxing, MMA, singing, and beauty contests
Now, this doesn’t speak about the general population but we do have a bunch of representatives we can be proud of. And if every Filipino with a bit of talent will just try as hard as those who have achieved milestones, if we could only stop being comfortable with where we are now, and start pushing through, the Philippines will surely go a long way.
