Meet the Filipinos

They are natural musicians and Westernized Asians – a combination of dusky Malay and fiery Spanish, with a touch of Chinese and a generous topping of hip, savvy America.

Filipinos are dancing-est folks with smiles easy-going characters and personal kinship system that keep their world going. Thespian Rolando Tinio said it best: “Like islanders everywhere in the tropics, Filipinos to tend to be quite blissful.” There are two sources of the inner strength and friendliness of the typical Filipino: a fervent belief in the goodness of God, Life and Nature, and a sense of security in and reliance of family ties and neighborhood associations. The typical Filipino is long on religiosity, family, hometown loyalty and cockeyed optimism.

Studies on Filipino behavior have pointed out distinct values and patterns in Filipino society; pakikisama or getting on well with associates; utang na loob, which means a deep sense of gratitude for favors received; hiya or a strong fear of losing face; and a bahala na attitude – things will take care of themselves. Filipinos live in a modern world without being thoroughly modern. The majority are people still in the bosom of Mother Nature – noble savages, both charming and exasperating.

By: Elizabeth V. Reyes (Exciting Philippines a Visual Journey)
OFW