Millennial voices: What it means to be a Filipino

I am young. I am a Filipino. But what truly makes us Filipino?

I asked people my age their opinions and contrary to other observations that young Pinoys do not care about their national identity, it is different from the answers I got. Twenty-year-old Angelo Yanga said that what makes us Filipino is our “hardworking nature.” “There are many stories out there about the Filipino breadwinner working hard for his family. There are jeepney drivers or sidewalk vendors who have managed to fund their child’s college education. We should also remember and be proud of our OFWs who show the world how hardworking and hospitable our nature are as a people.”

On the other hand, 21-year-old Vince Balbedina said that what makes us Filipino is our “ability to keep a happy disposition during challenges in life.”

“Look at the TV coverage of natural calamities by news channels. Whenever a reporter is shown delivering the news in a storm-hit area, for example, one can see the residents smiling and waving in the background, seemingly undisturbed by their problem,” he observed.

Such ‘happy nature’ is also evident during a wake, according to 22-year-old Jonald Atendido, who noticed that it is common to see a table surrounded by people chatting and laughing even for with the solemn nature of the occasion. In a lot of wakes especially in the province, it is common to see wake visitors indulging in a game of cards or enjoying a drink while reminiscing the good old times with the deceased.

For 20-year-old Ren Palermo, what makes us Pinoy is our sense of humor.

“Our films and TV shows are filled with humorous scenes,” he said. “Filipinos love to watch comedy movies – look at the box office earnings of films from Vice Ganda or Vic Sotto during the Christmas season. Even daily noontime variety shows are filled with comedy. It is as if Pinoys can’t survive without comedy.”

Friendly, industrious, with a strong sense of humor — these are the notable Filipino qualities observed by young Pinoys that make us Filipinos. These young people, together with me, may someday redefine what it means to be a Filipino. Time can only tell.

What makes us Filipino is our ability to keep a happy disposition during challenges in life. — Vince Balbedina