Finding our selves

The Filipino nation marks 115 years of independence on Wednesday. Admittedly, it can be called “independence interrupted,” by American colonization that followed three centuries of Spanish rule, and then Japanese occupation. And depending on who you talk to somewhere in the ideological spectrum, it’s either we never ever fully gained our independence, being still in the sway of foreign political and economic sponsors, or we have attained formal political independence, true, but it is compromised by economic and trade dominance, and even cultural colonization.

In all, not a very palatable menu to contemplate on a day where we supposedly celebrate our “coming of age” as a nation free and distinct from our colonizers, free to determine our political course, free to choose who or what we want to be.

The official theme of Wednesday’s celebrations is a mouthful: “Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran (Independence 2013: Sharing Resources Toward More Inclusive Development).”

This may explain why, along with more traditional forms of observance such as flag-raising ceremonies in different parts of the country led by government officials, part of this Independence Day festivities is a “festival” at the Luneta where government offices will have booths and offer services to the public, be these health information, registration for businesses, employment or documentation. There will also be a job fair along the length of Roxas Boulevard, free medical and dental services nearby, and even free rides on the LRT/MRT.

Not exactly awe-inspiring or even lofty in intent, perhaps even practical to a fault, but perhaps job generation and direct services are called for at a time when “inclusive growth” has become the clarion call. What do we need moving rhetoric for, after all, when the times call for loading all Filipinos as quickly as possible onto the bandwagon of real development?

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PART of the demands of true nationhood, though, is the creation of a national identity, a national “image” by which we define ourselves and even hold up as a template when we try to compare ourselves to other peoples, other nationalities, other cultures.

Ultimately, that is an exercise in futility, for the measures of nationhood and excellence vary from culture to culture. But we cannot help it at times, especially when Filipinos go head to head—be it a territorial or economic dispute, or even just a football match—with foreign nationals. Only then do we realize that while, say, a large part of the self-esteem of the Chinese is rooted in their thousand-year history and their dominance in their Age of Empire, we Filipinos have scant resources to recall our history, and little opportunity to mine what it is that makes us so special.

True, Filipinos, and foreign visitors in particular, speak proudly and admiringly of our traits of hospitality, friendliness, openness, generosity, camaraderie, family-centeredness and self-deprecation. (When praised to our face, we are apt to lower our eyes and demur, “Not really…”)

But do these traits help us compete against other nations in terms of attracting investors, promoting our goods and tourism destinations, or even burnishing our image?

True, foreign employers are generous with praise for overseas Filipino workers, who are generally admired for their industry, cheerfulness, people skills and loyalty. But that seems more a judgment on our malleability and good nature, rather than for our competence or integrity.

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WHERE does one go to study dignity or self-identity? Alas, these cannot be taught in a classroom. These are “learned” first of all within the bosom of family, but strengthened (or untaught) in school, in civic life, and in popular culture.

Notice how, in gatherings abroad, it is Filipinos—native or transplanted—who lead the group discussion on our weaknesses and failings. How “Pinoy-bashing” most often starts with Pinoys themselves, who will be the first to bemoan the traffic on our streets, the corruption of our officials, the hopelessness of our teeming poor. How then can we expect other nations to respect and admire us when it is we ourselves who are most eager to put ourselves down?

Pride in oneself, in one’s community, ethnic identity and nation cannot be force-fed or legislated. But it can be nurtured, and should be nurtured, day after day, consciously, deliberately. We need to make up our minds to be proud of our being Filipino—no matter the shortcomings we face at home. And if it’s too late to start with ourselves, then we can begin with our own children.

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ONE of our sources of pride as Filipinos has to be our movies, especially our so-called “indies” which have been winning recognition in film festivals abroad. This, even if the “indies” don’t seem to be having as much of an impact among the local audience.

But that may be changing soon. Mavshack, a film distribution outfit that currently makes movies available to subscribers in the United States, Canada and Europe, will soon be making Filipino films available domestically and abroad through www.mavshack.com.

Jerry Lozano, global director of Mavshack Philippines, has brought “hundreds of classic titles to Filipinos abroad,” but is still sourcing “independent and alternative content” which OFWs say they hanker to watch.

Enter Brillante “Dante” Mendoza, a renowned indie filmmaker who has won a slew of awards in major film festivals and who, for starters, is offering his oeuvre for inclusion in Mavshack’s menu. Mendoza will also act as a sort of “clearing authority” over Mavshack’s other indie offerings.

Meanwhile, Lozano is searching for other content—including film shorts by students—to include in Mavshack’s menu, broadening the horizon for all aspiring Filipino filmmakers.