Being a Filipino is such an incredible, rewarding and challenging thing to be.
The Philippines is such a beautiful country with so much history and culture. One of the most traditionally rich cultures in the world, which unites 128 million people in peace and hope for a better future. We have temples that surpass architectural beauty, with meticulous attention to every detail built by our ancestor's generations ago. Natural wonders range from perfect white sand beaches to majestic mountains with lush cascades of waterfalls pouring down their sides, leaving you speechless from their majesty. When we make these things accessible to you, not only do you feel proud but also energised because there is always something grand on this island, never ceasing its natural beauty or cultural heritage, which unite us as one.
The motivation to be a Filipino, however, comes from within; the rich history of our forefathers and ancestors who fought for freedom against foreign rule. We were even one of the few countries in Southeast Asia freed from colonial control, which gives us such a rare sense of pride and gratitude towards leaders like Rizal and Bonifacio, who fought for us before. We do not forget the lessons of history and how it tells us, as citizens, to fight against oppression to ensure democracy lives on forever constantly.
The rich culture ignites our passion every day because it shapes who we are today. The values instilled in us promote responsibility which all Filipinos know is vital for success in society. We value honesty, diligence, patience, humility and generosity, among many others which live on through us even today into the future generations of Filipinos. These values are what makes us strong as a people because they give us the moral compass to direct our lives in a way that brings glory to God and benefit for society at large.
It is important to remember we are Filipinos, and we make it a point to be the best citizens we can be. We never let anyone or anything diminish our Filipino identity, which makes us stand tall and proud in society today. The values instilled in us give us the confidence to continue fighting for others when times get tough because there is no greater calling on this earth than to be a Filipino, fighting for freedom and democracy in the name of God.
For that reason, I am very proud to be a Filipino.
We will always fight for our rights as citizens, and we shall never forget who we are as Filipinos. We live simply because there is no such thing as having too much; we live a humble life because we know the value of what we have and how it should be used responsibly. We do not waste. We respect our elders and give to those less fortunate than us, giving them the same opportunities as everyone else in society. Our values are deeply embedded in our history, culture and religion, making them so essential for us to live by. Our culture gives us joy and happiness every day, so we can always share with others less fortunate than us.
Our rich history of war against oppression fills us with the courage to face any challenge life has for us. The lessons of all the great Filipino heroes before fuel our fire today to fight for democracy, freedom and what is proper. We never stop fighting, and we never give up on our goals because we know they make us a better citizen and person in the long run. A Filipino is someone who will always stand for what is right, fight against oppression and support democracy no matter which corner of this earth we may be in.
