Name: Jocelly R.

Tupas

Who is a Filipino Catholic?

Spain was successful in bringing the majority of Filipinos to the Catholic faith for
333 years. Despite the odds, the majority of Filipinos adhere to their Catholic religion and
stay faithful to and in communion with the Pope of Rome, even throughout the Revolution.
The Catholic Church has been involved in running the country since they came here a
conquered it in 1521. Being Catholic is helping the less fortunate, doing the right thing even
when it is difficult, and allowing individuals to be themselves without casting judgment. It
implies I'm free to pray to God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit anytime I choose or
to say a "Hail Mary." Being a Catholic requires sacramentally feeling God's presence and
power. We eventually realize that there is more to life than what greets the eye or what
enters the ear. We eventually understand that God is with us and touches us in many ways,
such as the beauty of a sunset or a snowfall, our mother's care and concern, the joy of being
in love, and our desire to give of ourselves to others.

With a sacramental perspective, we may regard all of these encounters as chances to

learn more about God, the source of all beauty, the most trustworthy and loving friend, the
one who first loved us and whose Son gave his life for us.. Catholics regard sacraments as
"close-ups" or sharply concentrated manifestations of God's presence and love. Bread and
wine, oil and water, vestments and candles, crucifixes, and statues are all used in our
liturgical ceremonies. Touching and blessing, kneeling and genuflecting, incensing and
anointing are just a few of the symbolic movements we do.

For many Filipinos, faith is something you are born with rather than something you
choose. I believe the major reason Filipinos appreciate religion, in general, is psychological.
People in poor countries, such as the Philippines, prefer to cling to anything mystical as a
sort of escapism from harsh realities such as death and poverty and to obtain a feeling of
hope via these beliefs. However, religion causes more harm than benefit because, because
the vast majority of people are religious, religion becomes increasingly political,
authoritarian, and elitist. Its anti-intellectual stance inhibits critical thinking and open-
mindedness, both of which the country desperately needs to grow. Religion is highly
significant in our country since Filipinos are spiritual by nature. This means that most of us
think with our feelings, listen to our intuition, and act on what seems "right."

Just because you go to church on Sunday doesn’t make you Catholic … living the word of
God daily makes you Catholic.