10 Ways To Express Filipino Nationalism

10 Ways to EXPRESS Filipino Nationalism

I'm sure you know my country, the Philippines. I assume that those who read this are mostly my fellow countrymen, whom I intend to dedicate this entry to. Hopefully, this may influence you to take pride in our country. Here it goes!

1. Don't take our flag and our anthem for granted. 

   We all know our flag and our anthem by heart (right?). We are so familiar with them that we just face our flag and sing without heart because we just got so used to the routine that we forget its true purpose, which is giving honor and reverence to our country. Our flag and our anthem are symbols that represent our country. By respecting them, we respect our country and our fellow countrymen who gave up their lives for our freedom. 

2. Be proud of our color and the good looks that Filipinos are born with. 

   Honestly, I really don't get why some Filipinos go through all the trouble of changing their looks and looking like someone they're not. We are born with VERY good looks and a VERY good complexion. It would be such a waste to throw them away in exchange for whiter skin, a sharper nose, or a face lift. People from other countries fry themselves in the sun just to have our beautiful complexion. They also commend us for our nice looks. Why try to look like foreigners when foreigners go through all the trouble to look like us? Every look in the mirror, every selfie taken, they show your beauty; your priceless Filipino beauty. Accepting yourself as a Filipino already shows nationalism, because you show pride in the way you look, and therefore show pride in the country you came from.

3. Buy local brands.
    Buying the products that our kababayans made themselves shows our love for our ability to be expressive and our ability to create masterpieces. May they be in the form of our foods, our clothing, or handmade products, they all reflect our hard work and craftsmanship as Filipinos. 

4. Forget mainstream music for a while and listen to OPM (Original Pilipino Music) for a change.

   OPM makes my day. They always find a way to my heart. Whatever genre it may be. The thoughts, words, and hearts of our countrymen were poured into it. It is said that music  expresses things that words can't. It express our musicians' love for our country. By listening and appreciating it, we express unspeakable words of love for the Philippines.

5. Speak in our language more often, no matter how bad you're at it.
   It is said that soon, our language, Filipino, won't exist because this generation is more proficient in English. Ironic, that I'm using English for writing this, so I am guilty of it as well. That is what I should improve on. So in honor of this paragraph, I shall now speak in Filipino. Sinabi sa akin ng guru ko sa Filipino na ang wika ng isang bansa ay tatak na ang bansang ito ay malaya. Kapag hindi natin ginagamit ang ating wika, sinisira natin ang aging kalayaan bilang Pilipino. Sabi pa nga ni Jose Rizal "Ang hindi magmahal ng sariling wika ay higit pa sa malansang isda". Kaya gamitin natin ang ating tatak, ang ating wika. Kahit pabuhul-buhol pa ang ating mga salita, basta ginagamit natin ang ating wika. Sa paraang ito, pinapakita natin ang pagiging makabayan sa ating bansa. 

6. Visit our tourist attractions that speak of our cultural heritage.

   We are a rich country. Not in terms of financial resources, but in terms of our natural resources and our cultural heritages. We can't say that we know everything about our country. We are made up of 7,100 (or 7, 107) islands, and they each have different cultures and wonders that we haven't seen yet. Take time to go to these places. These are our national treasures. We can take pride in our country by visiting them to learn more about our country and love it even more.

7. Read Philippine literature in different forms.
   Like what I said earlier, we Filipinos are very expressive. Not just in arts and music, but also in literature. Words have been an important part in our fight for freedom. Now, by appreciating Philippine literature, we get a glimpse of the thoughts, ideas, and creativity of Filipino writers, in the past and in present.

8. Eat local delicacies.
   You will NEVER get tired of Filipino food. Agree with me on this? Sure you do!!! We Filipinos LOVE to eat! Who doesn't like Adobo, Sinigang, Lechon, Kare-kare, Pakbet, and the many gastronomic foods that our country has to offer? Our tummies have a lot to say. I think you already see my point: food = love. Therefore eating Filipino food = love for the Philippines. Simple logic.

9. Proudly talk to foreigners about your country and countrymen. 

   When an opportunity comes for you to befriend a foreigner visiting our country, give them a taste of our warm Filipino hospitality. Tell them about our beautiful beaches, our rich history, and our yummy food. It's not being mayabang, it's showing them what our country has to offer. That's nationalism. 

10. Go to fiestas of the different regions when you can.
   Join the Sinulog of Cebu, the Maskara in Bacolod, Pahiyas in Quezon, Ati-atihan in Kalibo, and the other festivities we celebrate all year-round. Joining these festivities celebrates you being a Filipino. So celebrate your nationality, and celebrate your country!! That is nationalism!

[images all made by owner of the blog.  Should you wish to use them, kindly ask permission via the comments section below.]