(Note: This essay, previously titled “Filipino Traits,” was written way back in June 2005, and is being reprinted here — with minor revisions — to mark the celebration of the 111th Philippine Independence Day today.)

Too bad I was not armed with a comprehensive list of French adjectives last Friday afternoon when my French teacher spontaneously asked me to recite in class some general traits of Filipinos or Pinoys.

Well, all I could come up was this short list:

Les Philippins sont (The Filipinos are)…

* extraordinaires (extraordinary)
* sympathiques (nice)
* intelligents (intelligent)
* chalereux et sociables (warm and sociable)
* tolerants et patients (tolerant and patient)
* travailleurs (hard-working)
* diplomatiques (diplomatic)
* genereux (generous)
* debrouillards (resourceful); et (and)
* ont le sens de l’humour (have a sense of humor).

Sayang, I could have said more; elaborated further. But speaking in English was not allowed in class.

I could have mentioned that Filipinos, in their bamboo-like resilience, can still smile (and laugh) even in the face of tragedy; that no amount of calamity — be it an earthquake, volcanic eruption, super typhoon, or landslide — can dampen the Filipino spirit. Pinoys will always rise above the ashes, no matter what.

And yes, Pinoys are very creative and resourceful. I can still remember the various contraptions invented by those people along the riles (Tagalog for “train tracks”) — e.g. cart-like vehicles called “padyaks” where they transport pails of water, and even commuters, back and forth. Trust the Pinoys to make something out of nothing. It’s not a surprise anymore if a number of Pinoy craftsmen can make beautiful products out of trash. It’s already a given.

As for generosity, one only needs to go to a Philippine-style fiesta (festival) to experience firsthand how it feels to be served sumptuous food by smiling strangers who open their homes as if it were the most natural thing to do. Talk about A-1 hospitality.

In the talents department, we can say that the Filipinos are never in lack. Never. We can ramble on and on about world-class Filipino talents like Lea Salonga and Regine Velasquez, whose musical prowess did — and still does — the country proud many times over. And they are just two of the many remarkable raw talents out there. Also worth mentioning are the Bayanihan dance group and the number of Philippine choral groups reaping international awards here and there like it was second nature to them now.

And let’s not forget the Filipino bayanihan spirit which says “I’m here ready to help you when you need me.” No wonder Filipinos in the Diaspora seek the companionship of their compatriots while living in foreign shores. Nothing beats the true essence of bayanihan.

But then again, just like in any race, the Filipinos are not perfect. Many Pinoys are guilty of the following: lack of national pride, crab mentality (’gossipy’ nature included), observance of “Filipino time” (i.e. being late for an appointment for at least an hour), colonial mentality (e.g. tendency to be too brand-conscious), and general lack of discipline (just observe how Pinoys drive and cross the street in the metropolis).

However, at the end of the day, the pros of being a Filipino far outweigh the cons. While some foreigners regard Filipinos as dog eaters, mail-order brides, or domestic helpers (not that this is bad per se; I respect these overseas Filipino workers for their tenacity), I think I would be doing myself and my country a great disservice if I don’t introduce myself as a Filipino. I’m proud to be a Filipino, regardless of how well-known and how depressing the government’s corrupt ways are.

Some people, both foreigners and compatriots alike, remark that I’m too patriotic to a fault. But there is no shame in that. It’s actually the right thing to do, as far as I’m concerned. Who wants to be an undercover Pinoy in a foreign land? I don’t. Amid my obvious struggles with German and French, languages spoken in my adopted land, I’m just glad that my Tagalog is still intact.

I’m proud to be a Filipino, even though that means being often treated shabbily at foreign embassies and international airports for all the bad press the country has been receiving all this time. Sometimes, it’s painful to be a Filipino. But to some extent, it’s a good kind of pain. It just means that we still care for our ailing nation.

*****
TIDBITS: This piece was also published in the Filipino site PinoyCentric in May 2007 (click here to see the comments to the original post). PinoyCentric is a US-based web publication managed by and for Filipinos, whose love for the country knows no geographical boundaries. It features informative articles on Filipinos and Philippine activities worldwide.
Read more »

The Philippine showbiz industry lost a great musical icon just recently.

Master rapper, composer, TV host, photographer, designer, blogger (a Free Mind), and all-around artist Francis Magalona passed away on March 6, seven months after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

A true patriot best known for the monster hit song “Mga Kababayan Ko” (My Countrymen), Magalona was just 44 when he succumbed to cancer.

He, with his wife Pia’s help, chronicled his tough battle with the Big C on a Multiply site titled Happy Battle, created to update his loved ones and followers about his health condition. Many religiously visited the site and even left encouraging messages.

When Magalona’s demise was announced rather surprisingly on the popular Philippine noontime show Eat Bulaga, the whole nation grieved with his family and friends. Hundreds of comments flooded the comments box of Magalona’s personal blog, offering prayers and sympathy to the Magalona family, as soon as the heartbreaking news was out.

The overwhelming outpouring of support was not at all surprising.

The former break dancer and teen actor was often described by his peers and fans as “pioneering,” “intelligent,” “profound,” “classy,” “articulate,” “sweet,” “maloko (humorous),” and a “true gentleman.” His children — eight of them — had said he was a “great dad,” who was very supportive and not stingy with his “I love you’s.” His blog entries on a Free Mind can attest to this.

Admired and respected for his deep love for his country, Magalona was also an entrepreneur with a nationalistic flair. His FrancisM Clothing Co. manufactures the in-demand 3 Stars & A Sun shirts, the design of which was primarily based on the Philippine flag (there are also other designs as well).

Francis M shall be sorely missed. He might not be around now, but his art will live forever.

*****

TIDBITS: Click “Read more” to view the second part of the TV tribute to Francis Magalona, hosted by award-winning broadcast journalist Jessica Soho.
Read more »

BASEL, SWITZERLAND — The Philippines’ major participation as guest country in the recently concluded Mustermesse Basel (MUBA), the largest and most prestigious consumer fair in Switzerland, was deemed a success.

MUBA organizers said in an official press statement that “the Philippines received great recognition as guest country with its multi-faceted presentations.”

The 1,500-square meter Philippine Pavilion at the MUBA Hall attracted visitors not only from Switzerland but from Germany, France and Italy as well. It showcased folk dance presentations (by the Bayanihan dancers no less), arts and crafts demonstrations, spa and wellness services (the Pinoy hilot or massage was highly in demand), a Philippine food kiosk, and various trade booths promoting Philippine travel and real estate offerings.

Participating exhibitors stationed in different stalls sold hard-to-find Philippine food and non-food products like dried mangoes, mango wine, malunggay capsules, barongs, Filipiniana gowns, fashion accessories, and handmade jewelry, just to name a few.

Aside from the foreign visitors, a number of Switzerland-based Filipinos, many of whom are married to Swiss nationals, went to MUBA in full force to support their homeland’s first major representation in this auspicious Swiss event. They literally clogged up the dining area set up beside the Philippine food kiosks, where buffet treats whipped up by Germany-based Pinoy chef Marilou Rodriguez-Neumann were served almost non-stop to meet the demands of Philippine cuisine aficionados.

Highlight would be the regular dance shows of the multi-awarded Bayanihan dancers, who performed at the 10-day trade fair, giving the Philippine expo visitors a glimpse and taste of the Philippines’ various folk dances and native music.

Bayanihan, the national folk dance company, was also tapped by designer Cora DJ Manimbo to model her visually appealing barongs and Filipiniana gowns in fashion shows at the Philippine Pavilion. “Bayanihan and I teamed up for this event,” Manimbo said. “This is such a major occasion…a melting-pot type of fair.”

Manimbo’s visually appealing creations caught the attention of many Europe-based Filipinos, who went to MUBA primarily for the Philippine experience. After seeing her fashion show, which featured the Bayanihan dancers clad in Manimbo designer attires, a number of fair visitors trooped to her booth, where samples of her Filipiniana formal wear, were put on display. Some had placed their orders pronto.

“She (Manimbo) has such beautiful designs. And it’s great that her dresses are reasonably priced. I already had my measurements taken because I need a gown every time I go to events like the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Bern or elsewhere,” said long-time Swiss resident Minda Graber, showing three design sketches made by Manimbo just for her.

Sining Tanedo Bruni, a preschool teacher working in Basel, said she really prioritized going to the MUBA this year to be part of the Philippine exposition. “It was a great experience. The food, shopping, and the Bayanihan dance show were great,” she said.

The country’s participation in MUBA as guest country was spearheaded by the Department of Tourism, with the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation as its implementing arm, with parallel efforts from the private sector, through the Philippine-Swiss Business Council of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Fairs & More, Inc. of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. The project was widely supported by the 15,000-strong Filipino community in Switzerland.

Lenee Berringer, information officer of the Philippine Department of Tourism office in Frankfurt, said that they (the Department of Tourism Frankfurt team) actively promote the Philippines in European trade fairs and other similar events, with the help of local volunteers. At the MUBA, she and German volunteer Marc Daubenbuechel of the Retirement and Healthcare Coalition International distributed a lot of travel brochures in English and German to fair visitors in an attempt to increase consumer awareness about the Philippines.

“I fell in love with the Philippines the first time I went there,” Daubenbuechel said. “For me, it’s much nicer than, say, Germany and Switzerland. I’m moving there (Makati) in June, and I’m happy to be working in this non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to promote retirement and health care in the Philippines.”

Philippine Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano graced the MUBA opening ceremonies, along with Doris Leuthard, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, and Guy Morin, president of the cantonal government of Basel. Durano had previously said in an official statement that the Philippines’ participation in the highly renowned trade fair was “a significant opportunity for the country to present itself to Switzerland and to the rest of Europe.”

Only two Asian countries — the other country being Vietnam, in 2004 — had been accorded “guest country” status since the start of MUBA in 1916. As guest country, the Philippines, through its select representatives, had the wonderful opportunity to come in direct contact with over 300,000 fair visitors.

Next year’s MUBA will be held on Feb. 5-14, 2010.

*****

TIDBITS: Celebrity chef, world traveler, bestselling author, and TV presenter Anthony Bourdain visited the Philippines for the first time to explore the country’s gastronomic scene. Fortunately, he thoroughly enjoyed the Philippine food experience. For those who were not able to watch Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Philippines episode) on The Travel Channel, click “Read More” to view the show’s Philippine episode (in five video installments) on YouTube (courtesy of ArcApex).

Read more »