SEARCHING FOR THE TRUE FILIPINO – Filipino

Oration Piece
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by: Lovella Chris L. Palma

I am a Filipino and I am searching for my Kababayans. I still believe that we live in a nation
formed by true Filipinos with their own rights, language, culture, and identity to be proud
of – a true Pinoy in thoughts, in words, and in actions. I may have a small voice but I will
not be ignored. I demand for everyone in this country to hear me.

…to our distinguished members of the board of judges, to my fellow contenders, friends,
visitors, ladies and gentlemen, good morning…

The world keeps on moving forward towards the future… towards industrialization,
technological breakthroughs, worldwide social networking, and artificial intelligence.
While the people with rich culture and traditions are slowly fading into the background,
our people, the katutubo, have become a paradox of the Filipinos of the yesteryears.
Youth nowadays laugh at such virtues as filial respect and obedience. They scoff at
traditional hospitality, our warmth and friendliness because they think these virtues are
horribly and hopelessly old-fashioned.

“Knowledge is the heritage of mankind, but only the courageous inherit it”. Those were
the words echoed by an old priest to Crisostomo Ibarra in Dr. José Rizal’s novel Noli Me
Tangere. Is it so hard to believe that we can remain true Filipinos and still march onward,
to our national destiny? Are our minds so narrow? Is our intelligence so limited that we
cannot realize this truth?

Ladies and gentlemen, the Filipino way is our legacy. It is found in the determination that
made it possible for our Banganhon brothers to fight for freedom. It is in the courage that
sustained them to seek justice for the brutal Banga massacre many years ago. It is found
in our simplicity and modesty, in the beauty of Angelus at twilight, and in the sincerity of
the climb during Via Crusis up the Manduyog Hill.

These qualities are still in us – in all of us. They are still in our minds and in our hearts. We
can still bring the treasures of our heritage out and pass them on to the future
generations. Let the blood of the courageous Katipuneros run through their veins. Let
their cries be echoed to our youth. Let us revel in the victory and peace that our
forefathers gave their life for.

Fellow Banganhons, I am a true Filipino. I have brown skin and black hair but how I look
does not define me. It is my thoughts – thoughts that will always contain memories of the
meaningful virtues our ancestors passed down to us. It is my words – in the stories that I
will tell my future children and grandchildren of how Aeaw-aeaw came to be. It is in my
actions that embody the true nature of Saguibin – helping one another.
As Dr. Jose Rizal once quoted, “He, who doesn’t know how to look back where he came
from, will never reach his destiny.” The only way to reach our dreams for the future is to
have a clear understanding of the past. What has already happened can never be
changed but they can be lessons we can learn from.

I am unique. I am diverse. I am a Filipino. And I am searching for my Kababayans. I still

believe that we live in a nation formed by true Filipinos with their own rights, language,
culture, and identity to be proud of – a true Pinoy in thoughts, in words, and in actions.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me ask you this. Are you a true Filipino? Are you proud to be
one? Once again, good morning!