Friends in High Places
Here in the Philippines, people are fond of titles, awards and distinctions. Maybe more so in the provinces where the name of the game is "who do you know"? This is not to put anyone down or even malign our identity as Filipinos, I am in fact, reflecting on the reality and identity that some people abuse and misuse.
We are a peace loving and very hospitable race. We are a blend of the East and West, the melting pot of many cultures, many beliefs and often, conflicting ideals; yet, we manage to stand up from every storm, smile at loss and even laugh amidst very difficult situations. We value family and friends to the point of murder, even when some of them are really not so good to us. What is it about Filipinos that make us unique, and what is it about the Philippines that make us want to come back home wherever we have been? Some of our friends and relatives have left the country for greener pastures, but always, they would promise to come back "home".
Being the most predominant Christian nation in Asia, the influence of Filipinos would reach the Whitehouse, the inner courts of Indonesia, the remote islands of the Pacific, certain areas of the European Union, to the more arid places of the Middle East, the tsunami regions of Japan and even places that others have never heard of. We pride ourselves for our adaptability and ability to stay calm under pressure. We are resilent to change and our "Bahala na" (rightly coined "Bathala na") attitude speaks a lot about who we are as a people. We live in an era where we are far removed from the fast pace of globalization and demands of being the best in all things. We excel, not for our own glory, but we bask at the victory of others we know. We are in fact a contradiction. We like to cheer for the underdog and hate those who seem to undermine our capabilities. We fight best when we are losing and we emerge victorous when all the odds are against us. Small wonder that even foreigners admire us for our "guts" and kindness, even to those who have been unkind to us. Only here in the Philippines do we create monuments for those who have plundered our nation; where we let bygones be bygones and forgive our colonizers and even welcome them with open arms.
Isn't it amazing that even when the world weeps for our loss, we manage to smile at our adversity and continue to believe in a better tomorrow? There is always a reason to be hopeful. We manage to stand up, knowing that success is not failing once or twice, but a hundred times; yet always, rising after each fall.
There are people who can manage to just sit and talk the whole day in some places in the Philippines. They manage to eat and have what they need. Is that not more wealth than a billionaire who cannot even sleep because he has to think of ways to improve his business?
We are indeed a people blessed by the Lord. No matter how little we earn, we simply thank God at the end of the day and smile at our fortune or misfortune. We know that the Lord will not give us anything that we cannot overcome. Our strong faith in our Maker enables us to dream and soar even higher for His greater glory and praise. It's not who you know but knowing that you know the right Person that counts! Ultimately, it's your identity in Christ that really matters!
We are a peace loving and very hospitable race. We are a blend of the East and West, the melting pot of many cultures, many beliefs and often, conflicting ideals; yet, we manage to stand up from every storm, smile at loss and even laugh amidst very difficult situations. We value family and friends to the point of murder, even when some of them are really not so good to us. What is it about Filipinos that make us unique, and what is it about the Philippines that make us want to come back home wherever we have been? Some of our friends and relatives have left the country for greener pastures, but always, they would promise to come back "home".
Being the most predominant Christian nation in Asia, the influence of Filipinos would reach the Whitehouse, the inner courts of Indonesia, the remote islands of the Pacific, certain areas of the European Union, to the more arid places of the Middle East, the tsunami regions of Japan and even places that others have never heard of. We pride ourselves for our adaptability and ability to stay calm under pressure. We are resilent to change and our "Bahala na" (rightly coined "Bathala na") attitude speaks a lot about who we are as a people. We live in an era where we are far removed from the fast pace of globalization and demands of being the best in all things. We excel, not for our own glory, but we bask at the victory of others we know. We are in fact a contradiction. We like to cheer for the underdog and hate those who seem to undermine our capabilities. We fight best when we are losing and we emerge victorous when all the odds are against us. Small wonder that even foreigners admire us for our "guts" and kindness, even to those who have been unkind to us. Only here in the Philippines do we create monuments for those who have plundered our nation; where we let bygones be bygones and forgive our colonizers and even welcome them with open arms.
Isn't it amazing that even when the world weeps for our loss, we manage to smile at our adversity and continue to believe in a better tomorrow? There is always a reason to be hopeful. We manage to stand up, knowing that success is not failing once or twice, but a hundred times; yet always, rising after each fall.
There are people who can manage to just sit and talk the whole day in some places in the Philippines. They manage to eat and have what they need. Is that not more wealth than a billionaire who cannot even sleep because he has to think of ways to improve his business?
We are indeed a people blessed by the Lord. No matter how little we earn, we simply thank God at the end of the day and smile at our fortune or misfortune. We know that the Lord will not give us anything that we cannot overcome. Our strong faith in our Maker enables us to dream and soar even higher for His greater glory and praise. It's not who you know but knowing that you know the right Person that counts! Ultimately, it's your identity in Christ that really matters!
9:34 PMI am grateful to be blessed by the Lord with friendships that can withstand the test of time and space. I hope that God will make the way for a get together soon.
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