By Sir Edwin D. Bael
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV) “What we think we become.” (Buddha) “Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
Habit, they say, is but a set of TEAs (thoughts, emotions, actions) repeated over time (at least 21 days, we are told) that then becomes a pattern our body-mind gets accustomed to; the longer this TEA-set is done, the more it becomes somewhat of a second nature to us, sometimes even to the extent of making us say ‘this is our nature’, ‘this is what we really are…’
There is a mental habit and habitual expression that many of us, perhaps unconsciously, say of our fellow Filipinos when something ‘newsworthy’ (translation: bad) happens in the Philippines or to Filipinos. It is: “Pilipino kasi, eh!” This is an utterly disparaging remark that most probably originated in colonial times, connoting someone unworthy, clumsy, ‘walang kaya’ (poor and/or without capability), incompetent, ignorant, ‘tinimbang ngunit kulang’ (weighed and found wanting) and whatever other word that would try to put the Filipino down. It is a negative judgmental evaluation that we, in effect, stamp on the forehead of the every Filipino, including ourselves, when we utter it. By force of habit, iterated over centuries, many of us repeat and reinforce it, without thinking.
This need not be so. We can change it.
I submit the principle of duality can help us here. This principle says: “Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled.” (The Kybalion). It explains that in everything there are two poles, or opposite aspects, and that “opposites” are really only the two extremes of the same thing, with many varying degrees between them. (http://enlightenedawareness.
So in regard to expressions of perspectives on fellow Filipinos, we must be conscious that every time some internal urge surges within us to use the “kasi, eh” phrase, there is always its pair, its other pole, its identical opposite, which is: “Pilipino yata ‘yan!” This statement is a positive judgmental evaluation indicating pride in the accomplishments of the fellow Filipino, showing acceptance of his/her being one of us, ipinag-wawagayway (waved like a flag to show honor and joy), and whatever other expression of acknowledgment, approval, esteem, glory, gratitude, respect, and support for being Filipino.
Both expressions can only be translated in a neutral English phrase – unspoiled by valuation verbiage of good or bad, or by level of self-inflation as source of pride or humiliation – which is: “Because he is Filipino!” Of course, this English phrase could have either shameful or prideful meaning depending on one’s intonation and facial expression at the moment of utterance. But that would be unduly adding body language to the equation.
There is then a sound and strong indication that from the principle of duality, the phrases “Pilipino kasi, eh!” and “Pilipino yata ‘yan” both translated into English as “Because he is Filipino!” are simply the two extremes of the same thing.
And since nothing has meaning except the meaning we give it (T. Harve Eker, The Millionaire Mind), we can always choose to embrace the meaning and the phrase that (a) builds up our own self-esteem as well as that of our “kapwa” (fellow; equal; partner; comrade) and (b) mutually elevates the respect and regard of Filipinos for each other.
“Pilipino yata ‘yan!” Talaga! (Truly!) Remember, “Thought is action in rehearsal.” (Anonymous)
Why don’t we watch our TEAs as regards fellow Filipinos in the next 21 days, and every time our wayward minds and hearts start searching for reasons to say “Pilipino kasi, eh”, we deliberately and consciously stop that stream of thought, and immediately start a search for reasons to say “Pilipino yata ‘yan!” and then, with feeling and conviction in the belief that the Filipino is truly worthy of esteem, honor, regard, and respect, say: “Pilipino yata ‘yan!”
Kung wala tayong sinasabi o sinusulat kundi panlalait lamang ng kapwa Pilipino, ang pupuwede lang mai-tawag sa atin ay “manlalait”. (If we have nothing to say or write but the denigration of fellow Filipinos, the only descriptive that can be used to call us is “denigrator”). “Lait” is variously translated into English as affront, blasphemy, contempt, contumely, curse, decrial, denigration, execration, gibe, imprecation, insult, malediction, offense, taunt, tirade. (http://www.bansa.org/
If we find ourselves doing any of these, then we might as well be classed among those whom Dr. Rizal described as the “tyrants of tomorrow” already happening now – being so taken up with the erroneous presumption of superiority over fellow Filipinos that the words flowing out of our mouths and pens are nothing but tyrannous, like a martinet (despot, tyrant) wanting everyone else to follow; because we have entertained the wrong idea and have come to think, as the condescending colonizers did, that fellow Filipinos are devoid of the capacity to think/act for themselves. But we can change. We each have the God-given and God-respected power to choose, which makes us responsible for the consequences of our choices.
“… For from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. A good person brings forth good out of a store of goodness, but an evil person brings forth evil out of a store of evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34-37, NABRE)
“An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.” (Buddhist Quote)
“Among a man’s many good possessions, a good command of speech has no equal. Prosperity and ruin issue from the power of the tongue. Therefore, guard yourself against thoughtless speech.” (Tirukkural 65: 641-642, Hindu quote)
When we each assume responsibility for the ideas and the thought-emotion-clusters we broadcast about our people and our country, then we do some constructive part in helping to realize Dr. Jose Rizal’s (Last Farewell) “Dream of my life, my ardent, living, passion and obsession” [Ensueño de mi vida, mi ardiente vivo anhelo], which was to see his “jewel of the sea of the orient, the dark eyes dry, the smooth forehead held high unbent: without frown, without wrinkles, without stains of high color” [joya del mar de oriente, secos los negros ojos, alta la tersa frente, sin ceño, sin arrugas, sin manchas de rubor]. In other words, Rizal’s dream was to see Inang Bayan and Filipinos standing with strong self-esteem, treating each other with high regard and respected by other peoples and nations, because then we are able to get our acts together and play as a formidable team.
As Socrates said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence … is a habit.” Let us then, repeatedly and excellently build each other up, treat each other with high esteem, and play as a true team: trusting and relying on each other as we choose to make our respective selves trustworthy and reliable.
Pilipino yata ‘yan! Mabuhay ang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang Filipinas!
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