AS THE country commemorated on Saturday, June 12, 2021, the 123rd anniversary of the proclamation of independence from foreign rule, some Cebuanos shared their thoughts on what they are most proud of being a Filipino.
For Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 8 Judge Macaundas Hadjirasul, it’s the Filipinos’ love of family, kin and friends.
“We’ll do everything for them. In fact, it seems we live for them. But that’s also our weakness as a nation. It gives rise to narrow and parochial outlook and interests,” he said, adding that there is also the task to expand that “love and sympathy” to cover all Filipinos in one big family.
Hadjirasul said if there was anything about the Filipino character he would like preserved, it’s the practice of “bayanihan.”
“We see it awaken in us during crises, calamities and tragedies. I wish it remains awake in us in our daily lives by being conscious of our civic duties as citizens like being disciplined, impartially compassionate, paying proper taxes, considering only the interest of the country in electing people to public offices, among others,” he said.
Lawyer and Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City chapter president Michelle Mendez-Palmares said she is proud of the Filipinos’ faith amid difficult situations.
She has also called on Filipinos to express love for their own country by being the best versions of themselves in adhering to the country’s law and justice.
Clarenz Jay Mendoza, a journalism graduate, said he takes pride in world-class Filipino talent.
Ryan Dave Rayla and Jake Ilustrisimo, both university professors, cited the Filipinos’ resilience.
Though Ilustrisimo said there might be clouded judgment on Filipinos’ resilience this time, he said the Filipinos’ resourcefulness and capability to thrive through almost anything, while gaining the strength to also stand their ground when needed, still make Filipinos remarkable.
However, Rayla believes that Filipinos also need to rekindle their relationship with the environment, specifically in helping protect seas, rivers and mountains to better situate themselves as persons rooted in the Philippines.
Ilustrisimo also pointed out that there is a need for young Filipinos to be taught how to be more active in nation-building as they also pursue their individual ambitions.
“A lot of younger Filipinos are disillusioned with their future in the country, but as cliche as it sounds, this change they want to see lies in their hands,” he said. (WBS)