Commentary: Philippine culture and politics – Part 2

The truth about “Filipino Culture, Filipino Identity and Philippine History” is most often lost in translation, sad to say, even amongst Filipinos themselves. Most Filipinos do not have a clear grasp of their history, most especially their pre-colonial history. Thus, those who try to explore and explain “who a Filipino is” fall in the pitfalls of false knowledge or maybe insufficient knowledge of Philippine history. In addition, those who may know something about Philippine history sometimes fails to understand its implications and relationship to the current condition of Philippine society.

In trying to learn the truth about “Filipino Culture”, it is a must to explore history, for societies are influenced by the events around them much so is culture. Events, either natural or man-made, then can affect the progress of culture.

However, before exploring this any further, it is imperative to first and foremost settle the issue regarding the Filipino identity.

A common but understandable mistake when discussing Filipinos and their culture is the questions of identity. The mistake being made in understanding Filipino identity is understandable primarily because if you trace history or may be even DNA would show that Filipinos come from a people of different races.

Are they Asians? Maybe Pacific Islanders, as one of the writers here claims? Are they Filipinos?

Are they Asians? An Asian is someone who comes from Asia, not necessarily form mainland Asia, since Japanese and Koreans are regarded as Asians primarily because their country is found within the territory of Asia, which is East Asia. The Filipinos are Asians since the Philippines is located in southeast Asia.

Maybe Pacific Islanders? Being a Pacific Islander is far from thought by most people because when people hear this Polynesians, Hawaiians, Tahitians, Samoans come into mind but never Filipinos. Although, geographically, Pacific Islander is used to refer to people living in any of the sub-regions of Oceania. Oceania is consists of lands, most of them are islands in the Pacific Ocean. Having this in mind, then we can safely say Filipinos as likewise Pacific Islanders for the main reason that the Philippines is located on the western side of the Pacific Ocean and right next to South China Sea.

Are they Filipinos? Definitely, without batting an eyelash, the answer is a resounding YES! Since Filipino is the term used to refer to individuals born in the Philippines, or those who are of Filipino descent – meaning down their family tree there is at least a Filipino connection.

Nonetheless, the explorations on Filipino identity should not rest here. As mentioned previously, a deeper understanding of Philippine history, most especially pre-colonial history would yield to a better understanding of the FILIPINO IDENTITY.