Name: Maynard V.

Aguilar
APA Citation: Yacat, J. (2005). Making Sense of Being and Becoming Filipinos: An Indigenous
Psychology Perspective. Philippine Journal of Psychology. 38(2):19–37.

Reflection on Making Sense of Being and Becoming Filipinos: An Indigenous Psychology

Perspective by Jay A. Yacat

Note: I was not able to open my camera while sharing because of technical and internet connection
problem.

This study of Sir Jay Yacat was an eye-opener for me because I realized that nationalism is
complex and immense idea in our context as Filipinos, Filipino-ness was integrated in different
level. It’s true that nationalism is about one’s devotion to his/her country or the nations’ unity but
as I have read the article our identity as Filipinos define Philippine nationalism. This study made
me question my identity as Filipino, some of my questions are: ako ba ay Pilipino sa puso o sa
pangalan? Mababaw ba o malalim ang aking pagka-Pilipino? For me, those questions were difficult
to answer because it takes time to assess and realize those things.
I am proud to say that I am a Pilipino sa puso because I am doing something for my family,
my fellow Filipino people, and my nation to achieve development and have a better future. For
example, I am doing my best to become an educator of Values Education subject because I know
that I can help my future students to learn values and more things that a teacher can make for his
nation. Moreover, I would like to mention our Filipino athletes that compete in Tokyo Olympics
today, those people have the courage and pride to bring the name of our country and their identity
as Filipinos. They’re Filipino-ness is deeply integrated in their loob therefore, they are Pilipino sa
puso not only in the name. In connection to that, we celebrated the victory of our athletes in
different ways. From this event, we can clearly see the nationalism that we have as Filipinos are
moving and alive.
As a normal person in this country, I have role to be proud of my country, be an agent of
change, and aim for the development of my community and nation. As a future educator, I have
the power to influence my fellowmen to integrate their Filipino-ness deeply in their loob by raising
awareness and helping them to do something for their country and fellow Filipino.