MODERN DAY FILIPINO NATIONALISM

The Spaniards, when they conquered the Philippines, were the ones who ruled over the country. They were the ones who lead in all aspects of the country. Now that made the early Filipinos angry. They felt like the Spaniards took their country away from them. However, they loved their country so much, and they were willing to do everything to get it back.

Image taken from talakayanatkalusugan

That triggered the early Filipinos to their sense of nationalism. It was the start of the reform movements and revolution. The Filipinos fought to regain the freedom of their country. That was their way of showing their love for their fellow Filipinos and their deep devotion to the country.

That would give you an inkling on how the nationalistic side of my ancestors came to be. Although, throughout my journey of understanding it too, one question hit me. If they were able to show their nationalistic side in that way, how could I show mine? Actually, that question came from my teacher. She wanted us to share what we could do to show something much similar to that which our ancestors showed, which is nationalism. Although, the real problem is that I don't know what it means because there are no more wars in the Philippines and I don't see people fighting for a country nowadays. What would I do then? What would a teenager like me do to show that I love my country?

After I thought of it, I really do love my country and you got to admit that the Philippines is one of a kind. Of course for me, but I respect other countries too and the people of other nationalities, so please don't hate me. Anyways, my point is that I really do love my country and I want to show it. 

Image taken from angkahayag

My country showcases different products from all over the archipelago. In different regions, there are different merchandises. For example, in Rizal there are ready-to-wear clothes which are both fashionable and affordable. Another are the shoe products of Marikina which are also really durable. Now these products, though they are modern, still signify my country's beauty and my fellow Filipino's creativeness. So I have decided to patronize these instead of the products of other countries. It will also bring about progress in my country's economy when I patronize our own products, and that I think is one way to show nationalism.(with respect to products of other countries, this is just my personal preference and not of my whole nation's) That is why next time, when we go buy products, I would choose the local ones and get rid of the colonial mentality in me. Besides, patronizing my own country's products would help me understand my country better and that is really vital in bringing about my sense of nationalism.

Image taken from philippinestodayus

Of course products aren't the only ones found in my country. Living in the Philippines is like living in a very huge park. Everywhere one goes, one could see beautiful sights, and the best part of that is that I don't even have to spend a whole lot of money to have a great vacation and there is a very wide variety of tourist spots I could choose from too. There is Vigan in Ilocos Sur, Puerto Prinsesa in Palawan, Tubbataha Marine Park, Banaue Rice Terraces, Apo Island, Chocolate Hills in Bohol and many more...See, my country really is heaven-blessed. How could I show that I love it? The answer is: by appreciating it. I mean really, I promise that before I go visit any other beautiful places in the world, I would awe first my motherland (and trust me, it is very easy to love the Philippines once you see it). I would travel around my country and see all of the tourist spots here before going to other places around the world.

Image taken from northdown

Actually, there are much simpler things that I've thought of which would make me show my love for the Philippines and you too for your countries. I figured that with all the beautiful things in my country, I, as a citizen, should do everything in my willpower to preserve it.We actually started it in my home a long time ago. We would segregate our trashes and provide specific bins for them. There is a specific bin in which we would throw biodegradable wastes or those that could rot and another one for non-biodegradable wastes or those that takes millions of years to rot and those that do not rot at all. I also pick up the pieces of trash on the floor whenever I see one because I really don't like dirty surroundings. It may be simple, but I know that it really helps my country when I do that. I also make sure to reuse some of my old materials and things that could still be used. It not only reduces garbage, it also helps my family save money. That is one way of showing my love for the Philippines.

Now, one way to truly show that I am proud of being a Filipino is by speaking in Filipino and not only that of course, I read and write novels, poems and songs in Filipino. What better way is there than by speaking my own language to express my feelings. Anyways, I know that by using the Filipino language, my language, I will not only be able to understand what other people are saying, I also get to deeply understand who I am, a true-blooded Filipino. 

Image taken from tagumcity

The greatest way, however, that I do to show my great love for the Philippines is through showing 'Respect'. Whenever the Philippine National Anthem is sung, I stop and show my respect to the flag by singing. I also show respect to the authorities in the country. I know that they are the ones who serve the country and keep it in order. 

I know that even though my country is free from any conquerors and there is no need  for wars to fight for it, I could still show my Modern-Day Filipino Nationalism by doing those things and taking them wherever I go.