Filipino identity through memes

By: Racel Race & Thea Faye Ynion

Filipinos are known to be resourceful and creative in many ways. This meme is inspired by how our weather here in the Philippines suddenly changes, mostly during summer it is too hot and with just a little rain it flood. And people as we are, we complain but one good thing is that we would probably find solutions. One of which is turning a large basin which is usually used in washing clothes into a swimming pool and an improvised boat during rainy season. We get to make use of things beyond its sole purpose. It is no surprise that in every home there is a plastic container used for storage and cookie tins for sewing materials. And in some instances, we get to make something out of nothing given only with the available materials and pure skills of resourcefulness and creativity.

Another positive trait of us is being generous. Ever since we were a child, almost all of us are taught to share what we have even if we have little or less. This could be seen through inviting people even strangers to share with our meal whenever we’re eating. Foreigners could attest of such whenever they would roam around and be invited to seat with Filipino people and eat along. For our fellow countrymen, if ever they were invited they would usually refuse because of this so called attitude of “hiya” but, they surely appreciate the invitation. Being generous towards someone comes in different ways, and sharing our food is one.

How to be Pinoy

By Prima Stephaney Nadate and Hannah Jane Parreñas

Singing the national anthem, patronizing what’s ours and valuing our culture and identity as Filipinos. These are just some of the many manifestations of our national pride as Filipinos. But the most noticeable and fore standing way of how we Filipinos take pride in our identity is that we stand proud for every achievements of our fellow countrymen no matter how small the Filipino blood is flowing through their veins. We still feel the same amount of joy and pride for their achievements same as to any other Filipino. Usually, our ears and eyes twitch when hearing or seeing our fellow Filipinos achieve something great such as winning in contests, especially on an international level. Knowing about their achievements make us so happy and gratified, all the more when we hear about the positive comments or praises that they receive from other people.

The instances of facing mishaps are inescapable. As Philippines is one of the countries considered to be vulnerable to a number of calamities and the citizens remain to be below the poverty line, still, Filipinos continue to stand strong and never falter. This is what defines the Filipino spirit, the inspiration for this meme. We, Filipinos always keep a positive outlook on everything. Even in the state of despair and in the face of heart-rending problems, we always find a way to channel it into something to be thankful for in order to remain positive and to lift up our spirit as well as those of other people around us. We continue to smile amidst the catastrophes we are facing. With this, we can say that not even the strongest typhoon nor earthquake can break the Filipino spirit.