Hospitable. One of the well-known traits of the Filipinos. Welcoming, friendly, sociable--name it, Filipinos depict all of them. Our country, Philippines, is considered as a one of the most pleasant and favorable for living and that comprises to us being hospitable to guests and foreigners. Positive.
Remember how your mother displays all your luxurious plates and extravagant utensils but you never got to use them at all? Remember how your parents store all of the fancy blankets, bed sheets and pillow cases at the extremity of the pavements, preserving their aromatic odor for years? If you're a Filipino, I am confident that you have your own narrative regarding this subject.
Assertive. After living with the whole household for years, you've never had the chance to use the warm and cozy comforter your mother bought a long time ago. But there came the time where you've had visitors and by a chance, will pull an all-nighter at your house. Like a whirlwind, every flashy belongings your family could own will suddenly materialize and surface seemingly fashion models on a runway stage. Hilarious. But positive.
At work, you've given your boss a striking impression for you and left him a mark in which until now is still remembered, making you one of his favorite employees. You're satisfied, of course, you're grateful, who wouldn't be? You've studied hard for years, you've worked hard for this position. Being acknowledged fully as a hardworking person means that your hard works are finally paying off. However, amidst your state and process of taking pleasure as the apple of your boss' eye, a newcomer suddenly presents itself, the same time your company is having its downfall. Suspensefulness, the troubles company is currently facing is the forte of that newcomer. The attention of everybody is in her--including your boss'. Praises and compliments bombarded her. Both the company and the newcomer are making their way on top as you meet the peak of your abyss--or at least that's what you think. Scared of being outshined, especially by a rookie, you made your move to bring her down. Poof. Or should I say, bury yourself deeper than before?
Crab mentality. Another traits of Filipinos, scared of being outshined, fear of having someone who could surpass you even if it means disregarding the real essence, the real fight and the actual root of the competition you're perceiving. Negative.
I loathe this kind of thinking. I despise it to the bones. One thing as an example is the Philippine history, Andres Bonifacio who was a revolutionary leader, the father of the Philippine revolution, a REAL hero who led the secret society which spearheaded the uprising against the spanish invasion, faced a death execution by his own countrymen? He who risked his life for the sake of the country's freedom, he who shedded his blood in the land he's willing to protect just to be killed by the people whom he desired nothing for but freedom? All because of jealousy? I don't even want to talk about Antonio Luna who has to go through a horrible assassination. When I say horrible, I meant very disgusting and loathful.
Are Filipinos really this way? Would we rather kill our fellow Filipinos beside us just because they're better shooter than us than killing our enemies in front who are already pointing their guns towards us? This is the sad truth. The enemies are our enemies, and the allies are also our enemies. Not to mention how we treat foreigners, but when it comes to our fellows, it's all crickets.
Think about it. The greater enemy of Filipinos are Filipinos ourselves.
Haribon
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