I'm not just proud of being Filipino... I'm so proud of being Filipino. There's an old parable about how the actual test of pride in one's nation is when it has nothing to be proud of. And that, my friends, would describe this country perfectly. Yes, we're marred by plagues and natural disasters regularly. Yes, our people are waging war against poverty with no end in sight for them or us - people are living entire lifetimes in crushing poverty who know they'll never see the dignity
And yet they still teach their children to be brave
Our heroes are breaking records abroad
Our economy is slowly showing signs of light at the end of what seemed like an eternal tunnel of darkness.
We are still the same people who have overcome every single obstacle in our way, no matter how impossible it seemed. We are still here today because our ancestors were strong enough to survive the hell they lived in. With every generation, we get stronger and more resilient . Every other race on this planet should count themselves lucky to be recognized as citizens of a country that has shown time and time again that it will not die, no matter how many times you threaten its very existence.
I'm not proud of being Filipino because our people can produce marvels which put us at the top of the world map... I'm pleased because, despite all odds stacked against us, we are still standing. I'm proud of the sheer will of our people to fight until victory is ours. No matter how many times you knock us down, no matter how many lives you take from us - we will not stop fighting for what is proper.
And that is why I am proud to call myself Filipino.
