SEARCHING FOR THE TRUE FILIPINO – FILIPINO ORATION

PIECE
by: Lovella Chris L. Palma

I am a Filipino and I am searching for my Kababayans. I still believe that we live in a nation formed by
true Filipinos with their own rights, language, culture, and identity to be proud of – a true Pinoy in
thoughts, in words, and in actions. I may have a small voice but I will not be ignored. I demand for
everyone in this country to hear me.

…to our distinguished members of the board of judges, to my fellow contenders, friends, visitors, ladies and gentlemen, good morning…

The world keeps on moving forward towards the future… towards industrialization, technological
breakthroughs, worldwide social networking, and artificial intelligence. While the people with rich
culture and traditions are slowly fading into the background, our people, the katutubo, have become a
paradox of the Filipinos of the yesteryears. Youth nowadays laugh at such virtues as filial respect and
obedience. They scoff at traditional hospitality, our warmth and friendliness because they think these
virtues are horribly and hopelessly old-fashioned. “Knowledge is the heritage of mankind, but only the
courageous inherit it”. Those were the words echoed by an old priest to Crisostomo Ibarra in Dr. José
Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere. Is it so hard to believe that we can remain true Filipinos and still march
onward, to our national destiny? Are our minds so narrow? Is our intelligence so limited that we cannot
realize this truth?

Ladies and gentlemen, the Filipino way is our legacy. It is found in the determination that made it
possible for our Banganhon brothers to fight for freedom. It is in the courage that sustained them to seek
justice for the brutal Banga massacre many years ago. It is found in our simplicity and modesty, in the
beauty of Angelus at twilight, and in the sincerity of the climb during Via Crusis up the Manduyog Hill.

These qualities are still in us – in all of us. They are still in our minds and in our hearts. We can still bring
the treasures of our heritage out and pass them on to the future generations. Let the blood of the
courageous Katipuneros run through their veins. Let their cries be echoed to our youth. Let us revel in the
victory and peace that our forefathers gave their life for.

Fellow Banganhons, I am a true Filipino. I have brown skin and black hair but how I look does not define
me. It is my thoughts – thoughts that will always contain memories of the meaningful virtues our
ancestors passed down to us. It is my words – in the stories that I will tell my future children and
grandchildren of how Aeaw-aeaw came to be. It is in my actions that embody the true nature of Saguibin
– helping one another.

As Dr. Jose Rizal once quoted, “He, who doesn’t know how to look back where he came from, will never
reach his destiny.” The only way to reach our dreams for the future is to have a clear understanding of the
past. What has already happened can never be changed but they can be lessons we can learn from.

I am unique. I am diverse. I am a Filipino. And I am searching for my Kababayans. I still believe that we
live in a nation formed by true Filipinos with their own rights, language, culture, and identity to be proud
of – a true Pinoy in thoughts, in words, and in actions. Ladies and gentlemen, let me ask you this. Are you
a true Filipino? Are you proud to be one? Once again, good morning!