They say that every human being is unique. And so does every race too. As it is, every Filipino is likewise unique compared to other races in the world combined. We have so many traits that are irrelevant to our western and even Asian counterparts. And we are proud of these traits to honestly say “I am proud to be a Filipino.”
One of the traits that I am particularly proud of being a Filipino is being hospitable. Who doesn’t like to receive hospitality in grand style? Perhaps, no one. But it is probably only the Filipinos that can show all and sundry what true hospitality is all about. Hospitality in terms of welcoming our guests to our house, doing our best for our guests’ visit to be comfortable and enjoyable in its strictest sense. There is just such a distinctive joyous feeling preparing the house with all the trimmings and the food when one has a particular guest or guest to arrive. A particular excitement that brings joy to every household while waiting for the arrival of the guests. They clean the house, prepare the best food to offer, even preparing the itinerary for the activities of the guest. Such a far cry from other races. Receipient of Filipino hospitality be they in whatever nationalities cannot help but be awed with our own brand of hospitality.
Another admirable trait is the Filipino’s penchant to find joy in laughter. Some people observe and agree that compared to other countries, Philippines has the least number of suicide incidence. This is quite true because Filipinos are truly lively and happy people such that seldom do we succumbed to suicide due to depression because of our penchant to laugh out loud with friends, making a joke upon something or even making a joke upon ourselves. Depression resulting to suicide is a common occurrence in our Western and European counterparts most likely because of their inability to cope their problem through laughter. There must have some truth to the saying “laughter is the best medicine.”
Funny, because this is exactly what other nationalities finds strange in us. They cannot understand the fact how we particularly enjoy indulging into lengthy pleasantries and laughter. For all they know, these are our best weapon against depression.
Likewise, another positive unique Filipino trait that may seem alien to other race is having strong family ties. Filipinos put family ties and relations as one of their top priorities. They would do all they could to provide and sustain their respective families. This is present in Filipino festivities where the whole family members are invited and in family Sunday family gatherings where they would make time to use it to spend the whole day for their families.
One finds that it is common in this country to include the extended members not just the normal nuclear family into the household. It is not unusual that in a single household many members of the family live under the same roof. They value each other’s company, and everyone strives to provide for the whole and not just for them.
Even grandparents still have an active role in the family. It is now the norm in the society that both parents are out working, thus, leaving the care of their children to the lolos and lolas, especially if the family cannot afford to hire a nanny. Grandparents therefore become responsible for instilling into their grandchildren the values and morals they taught to their own children, further increasing the importance of the elderly in our society. A direct contrast in our counterparts from other countries where old family members were confined to their lonesome in nursing homes otherwise referred to as home for the aged.
This particular set-up of having extended families in one roof oftentimes becomes a source of misunderstanding especially due to financial constraint whereby those who have no work become a burden to a family member who might be equally burdened with the household finances.
In the midst of adversities however , this set-up can be put to use to the hilt as one family is not alone in taking part of solving the problem.
There are a lot of other unique Filipino traits that are worth mentioning but they may be reserved for future writings. Meanwhile, it truly is distinct to be a Filipino. We may have some shortcomings as a people who belong to a particular race, but right now our traits are awesome.
