What is an Educated Filipino?

Francisco Benitez
For more than decades now, our constant contact with the Americans
transformed us and led us to the evolution of our public schools and democratic
institutions which then, in turn, developed in us our national consciousness in strength
and in solidarity. It gave rise to a new concept of education which is deemed as the
training of an individual for the duties and privileges of a citizen not only for his own
happiness and efficiency, but also for his contribution to the national sphere at large. As
the States primary responsibility is to provide for the education of every member of the
society, it follows that an educated Filipino must possess three characteristics as
enumerated by Francisco Benitez in his essay What is an Educated Filipino?.
First is the power to do which embraces not only the ability of the Filipinos to
produce material goods but also the valuable services rendered to society through
institutions such as the home, the school, the church and the government. This is best
exemplified by a mother who takes good care of her family.
Second, a Filipino is one who is distinguished not only by ones knowledge of the
worlds progress but also and more importantly by ones understanding of ones race,
people and country the ideals and morals that are cherished herein. How can a
Filipino claim to call himself educated when he has conquered the world yet he is
ignorant of his own culture and origin?
Lastly, the educated Filipino is one who is deep-rooted in ones speech and
conduct. One must put into practice those elements recognized as concomitant to
culture and morality. Hence, one makes use of such elements for ones growth as an
individual and for a nations development as a whole.