The Azkals just lost to Kuwait but this blog won’t be about them… moving along to other thoughts tonight.

Yesterday, I got a message on Twitter from a stranger who lives in another country thanking me for the follow back and telling me how he has been in Makati and loved the country and its happy people… Now, that doesn’t happen often does it? It made me think of a few things.

1. That maybe I’ve been IN this country too long that I fail to appreciate the little things outsiders see
2. That it may take another pair of eyes for another person to realize the goodness of a person, a race, a thing, or an event
3. That the problems the Philippines is experiencing (politically, economically, socially and all the other -aly’s that I don’t know about) shouldn’t stop us from loving and caring for this country because no one will do it better than us.

So… just to spread the positive vibe I got from this message, I decided to list down some of the things I’ll always be proud of as a Pinoy.

[In random order]:

1. I am proud that we were taught to say po and opo as signs of respect when we were kids. Although most of us may not be using it anymore as grown ups, the attitude of being respectful to elders and other people have been inculcated deeply in us.
2. I am proud to be Pinoy because we are a bunch of happy people. I remember when Ondoy hit us. You’d see people smiling for a reporter’s camera and groups of teenagers still having fun in their flooded homes.
3. 

   Proudly Pinoy

   I am proud that Pinoys are always thankful even for the little things. We like saying thank you and showing our appreciation for whatever is given to us.

4. I am proud to be Pinoy because hope as big as the sky. I think this is the reason we are always happy amidst all the problems we have. We always have reasons to look forward to better days.
5. I am proud to be Pinoy because we are supportive of everyone’s endeavors and achievements. Sure, you’d probably say we are also known for our notorious “crab mentality” but there are a whole lot of us who’d support anyone who shows commitment to his goal/ job. Take Manny Pacquiao as an example. Every time he has a fight, every Filipino from all over the world cheers for him. The Azkals lost today but Filipinos still showed their support and admiration for the group.
6. I am proud to be Pinoy because even if we are a country divided by numerous political groups and social beliefs, we know how to stand up for each other when our country or anyone of us is disrespected by another race. It’s funny(admirable even) actually, how many of us would fight and argue against each other yet stand up together when we are being discriminated or stepped on by another race/ country.

So.. yah, while I may find a lot of reasons to complain about our country and while many of us wish we can live in a first world country, I know all of us still have a lot of reasons to love being Filipinos and to want to continue living in our country… because there are a lot of things you’ll find only in the Philippines.