Rizal Course

Endaya, Hazel Anne M. September 23, 2010

BSN219 Dr. Wilson S. Chua

“The Filipino loves his country no less.”

Dr. Jose Rizal

As I reflect on this quotation made by our national hero, Jose Rizal, I came up with three
reasons why I love Philippines:

First, I am deeply rooted here. I am a true Batangeña. In travels abroad, I always end up
correcting foreigners with a proud clarification “I am a Filipino!” I grew up in a once rustic town in
Taal. I spent my childhood in the province. I played patintero, taguan, sipa, sungka, trumpo and
siato with classmates and childhood friends even when it was raining hard outside. There was
no acid rain back then. I even swam in nearby rivers. While a good portion of what I knew then
has now been replaced with buildings and restaurants, my good memories of how beautiful it
was remains with me. Whenever I go back, old friends greet me like family.

Second, I do not think our heroes were fools. Rizal, Bonifacio, Jacinto, Abad Santos,
Magsaysay, Aquino and a host of other famous people we call "heroes" did not sacrifice their
lives to see a horrible future for this country. These were intelligent people who saw the value
and beauty of the Philippines. Their sacrifices shouldn't be wasted. They saw something worth
dying for, and I believe that as a true Filipino, I should endeavor to give something back to
honor what the heroes died for even in my own little ways.

Third, my 3Fs are here. The 3Fs are my family, friends, and food. In the US, if you
wanted rice or calamansi or patis or bagoong, you still have to go to an Asian store or Filipino
store to get these items. You will always be surprised also how expensive they are there. Here,
as long as people know you, they treat you like family. In case you have not noticed it yet,
Filipinos are very personal on all matters, because of its family-oriented society. Here, laws are
not enforced fully because everyone thinks that since we are one big family, there's no need to
be so serious about enforcing it. Hence, one can always cross the street even if there's no
pedestrian lane, or one can always park anywhere even if there's a No Parking sign planted
nearby. There are negative consequences, of course, and all of us know all about them, but as
long as they do not immediately endanger any person, most of these are ignored and charged
to a simple, "Ganyan dito, eh. Pilipinas ito.". Then, this is either followed an authentic Filipino
joke, and everyone who hears it end up laughing. Another Filipino trait - we have a unique kind
of humor that makes every burden and heartache seem light.

I must admit there is a need to improve. We do still lag behind our neighbors. We have
so many problems. But progress here is defined in another way unlike how the rest of the world
defines it. It is difficult to explain this to a non-Filipino, but for a Filipino like me, it is easy to
digest. We are one big family. Sure, we have problems. But we manage, and we always try our
best to survive.