By: Allan Daniel Serrano, Cavite City
My genetic makeup is native Austronesian with a dash of indeginous Papuan of course, plus the bloodlines of the Sangley traders and the Iberian conquerors.
I am nationalistic, but not to the point that I would berate and belittle other countries just to flag my pride, because I’m also globalist. I wouldn’t tolerate any condescending attitude towards my people and my nation.
We are a country composed of 7,107 islands, most of the islands aren't populated and about 95% of the population can be found in 11 major islands, namely: Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, Cebu, Negros, Panay, Samar, Leyte, Bohol and Masbate.
8 major languages are spoken in our archipelago, namely: Bicolano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Pampango, Pangasinense, Tagalog and Waray-waray, with other 100+ tongues also spoken throughout the islands.
We are as colorful as the rainbow:
Tagalog
Cebuano
Ilocano
Hiligaynon
Waray-waray
Kapampangan
Bicolano
Pangasinense
Igorot
Sierra Madre People
Maranao
Tausug
It is true that we are still suffering from the abuses of corruption that is driving my people to poverty. But I'm thankful because Filipinos are very resilient. Even the poorest will greet you with the sweetest smile that you only see here. Maybe the way God shaped our archipelago is one of the many things why we are content with ourselves, in spite of all the hardships that we've been through as a people. This is what I'm talking about.
Batanes Island
Paoay Windmills, Ilocos Norte
Rice Terraces of Philippine Cordilleras
Hundred Islands, Pangasinan
Sta. Ana White Beach, Cagayan
Corregidor Ruins, Cavite-Bataan
Independence Shrine, Cavite
Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna
Taal Volcano, Batangas
Verde Island Passage, Batangas
Ditumabo Falls, Aurora
Casiguran White Beach, Aurora
Cagraray Island, Albay
Caramoan Island, Camarines Sur
Anvaya Cove, Bataan
Mt. Samat Shrine, Bataan
Subic Bay, Zambales
Intramuros, Manila
Pandan Island, Mindoro
Cowrie Island, Palawan
El Nido, Palawan
Underground River, Palawan
Port Barton, Palawan
Magellan's Cross, Cebu City
Sumilon Island, Cebu
Fort Pilar, Zamboanga
Camiguin Island, Mindanao
Hmm… maybe it's our rich history and fine sceneries that works wonders in easing the pain and suffering of people.
This is one of the few countries in the world where you will find people having wide smiles with bleeding hearts.
