Filipino Culture: Hospitable, Humble, and Honorable

I am by race a Filipino, although I have lived here in the United States of America for more than 15 years now, and a current US citizen, I am proud to say to everyone that I am from the Philippines.

I’d like to share with my readers the 3-H’s that describes, although not in totality, a typical full-blooded Filipino. We are Hospitable, Humble, and Honorable. I am not saying that other races are not, but you will see this 3-H characteristic often and clumped together in a Filipino more often than not.

Hospitable: Ever wondered why any full-blooded Pinoy (slang for Filipino) that you meet and be lucky to be friends with is always eager to share their meal, whether in your lunch room, or at a party? It is because of this trait that we are born with. We are known to even share not only our meals but our entire home to our guests. We do not feel well when we are eating and somebody in the table isn’t. We are quick to offer our food, or drink to anyone; we cannot enjoy our food and drink if we do not share them first. We are known for throwing parties and serve delicious foods in abundance, and would insist on visitors to eat some more. After the party is over, we are known to pack up “to-go” boxes for our visitors so that they can enjoy the Filipino delicacies when they get home.

If by any chance you visit this small country of 7,107 islands, you will find that there is always someone willing to help you and offer you things even though most of the people living in this archipelago live in poverty. They will find ways to welcome you in their hearts and in their homes. Tourists remember this trait of Filipinos and often state so when asked why they like visiting the Philippines— they would readily say that Filipinos are very friendly and hospitable.

Humble: Filipinos are known to be very humble. When people praise them for their accomplishments they always shyly shake their heads saying you or someone else is better than them. When it is already evident they are ahead in life or have a beautiful home or have a lot of belongings, they will not show them off blatantly because it is not right. They will humbly say theirs is not the best or there is always someone else better than them. Filipinos oftentimes feel guilty of showing off things because of fear that they may offend others. This is maybe because of one of the Philippines’ popular creed “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinaggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan” translated as- “Those who do not look back to where they came from will never reach their destination”. This explains why when Filipinos leave their country, they always give back- sending money, boxes of goodies to their friends and loved ones. They are also known to save money each year so that they can go home and visit families and friends even if they have already settled in another country.

Being humble helps Filipinos remember who they are and where they came from. They strive to attain their goals to have a bright future and a better life but always remembering what it took for them to get there. That is why you will find Filipinos all over the world working hard each day and each night, you will see a lot of college graduates working as maids or skilled workers in Hong Kong, Singapore, in the Middle East, or even in Europe, so that they can send money back home to help fulfill their dreams of a good life for their loved ones. It takes a humble heart to do that.

Honorable: Filipinos are known for being honorable, which could mean a couple of things. When a Filipino makes a promise they will intend to keep it. We are known for our “Palabra de honor” (word of honor). We will do our best to fulfill that promise, even if we have to make sacrifices just to do it. Another form of being an honorable Filipino is that we have pride on what we do. Yes, we maybe humble, but we have pride. Honorable pride for a Filipino is valuing our race and our attainment. This honorable pride is our way of showing you that we have worked hard to attain our goals, so do not push us down just because most of us work for a living all over the world, coming from an impoverished nation and succeeding abroad is not an easy task- it takes sweat and blood and a lot of sacrifices! Every Filipino values education- rich or poor. Quezon, one of the Philippines’ former presidents once said that “Education is the birth right of every Filipino child”. Every Filipino parent’s dream is to give their child quality education, even if they have to sell all their belongings in hopes that someday the reality of this dream will come true.

The Filipinos’ honorable trait showed up most recently, as a matter of fact, which resonated and got the attention of the ABC’s Desperate Housewives’ producers prompting them for a formal apology. The recent episode from Desperate Housewives drew calls from angry viewers, and over 30,000 names on an online petition were gathered, even the Philippine President herself calling the ban of the airing of future shows in the Philippines after the show aired its controversial September 30 episode.

An excerpt from the online petition declared: “A statement that devalues Filipinos in healthcare is extremely unfounded, considering the overwhelming presence of Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the medical field.”

In one scene of the said Desperate Housewives episode, a doctor confronts Susan Mayer (played by actress Teri Hatcher) with the news about Susan experiencing menopause. During the doctor’s explanation, the uptight Susan cuts him short with an apparent racist slur against Filipino medical schools.

A lot of people may think that the Filipino reaction to the show may have been too much or may have gone overboard. But any race that is criticized and devalued on national TV would not appreciate the racial slurs and innuendos. With the nursing shortage in America, a lot of hospitals come to the Philippines for manpower. A lot of the Philippine Nursing graduates pass the Philippine Board exams as well as US board exams. It takes 5 to 7 years to complete a collegiate Nursing course including internships, passing the board exams, and some taking masteral degrees, so being belittled that way was not taken lightly by a lot of Filipinos. Families make sacrifices to have their children go to school, and finish their courses so that they can have a good future and someday, if lucky, be part of the US healthcare workforce. As I said, it takes sweat and blood to get to where they are at so they will not just sit down and take it! Nobody should- Filipino or not!

It goes without saying that Filipinos, like any race, are not perfect. We are not claiming to be the best. Treat us fairly and you will find a true friend who will be with you through thick and thin. And when you get the chance, visit our beautiful country; you will experience one of the greatest hospitable places you’ll ever find.

Reference:

• www.pep-ph.com