Hospitality and Generosity: The Two Inseparable Virtues of the Filipinos

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Oftentimes, a country would be known for its culture, natural beauty like stunning scenery, pristine beaches, culture, foods, and of course a country would also be known by the traits of its people.. 

The Filipinos, for example, are easily identified by their innate virtues like their being kind, resilient, hardworking, and they’re being happy people. Aside from the aforementioned, the Filipinos are also known for their distinctly tasty foods, pristine beaches, stunning landscape, and their hospitable people. 

Although, the Filipinos are not perfect people; they also have their own weaknesses and undesirable traits inherited from their ancestors such as the Ninjas-Cogon, a particular trait of the Filipinos which is only good at the beginning but later fizzles out like cogon grass in which the fire shines brightly at the beginning but fades after a few seconds.

Ironically, another trait of the Filipinos is to laugh at their own mistake, and of course, the infamous one-time millionaire attitude. another trait that refers to one-time spending of money. Just be reminded that some undesirable Filipino traits mentioned above are not practiced by the general population. 

On the contrary, the Filipinos also possess desirable traits, foremost of which are the virtues of hospitality and generosity which have become word by mouth all over the world. These two virtues are inseparable and manifested in different ways and situations. 

Generosity

Bereft of financial stability, their material imperfections are compensated by their natural virtues. The generosity of the Filipinos are for everyone. Their generosity has been proven and shown on so many occasions particularly during feasts (fiesta in Spanish) like in the province of Bohol, the Philippines in which hosts would invite neighbors, relatives, or even total strangers into their house to celebrate and share food with the visitors.

Identity of the Filipinos

The Filipinos’ hospitality and generosity are just some of the virtues that have helped shape the identity of the Filipinos. These are the traits that a visitor, particularly a foreign could feel when in the Philippines. They may not be blessed financially, but they are rich in culture, natural beauty, and virtues that every Filipino can be proud of. 

Disasters 

Another situation where the Filipinos manifest their generosity is during and after a disaster. A Filipino, whether rich or poor, would always share his blessings with another disaster-stricken fellow Filipinos. Help could be in the form of used clothing, bed sheets, pillows, used footwear, canned goods such as sardines, noodles, monetary, and everything that could address the immediate needs of the Filipinos affected by disasters. 

Hospitality 

Hospitality is another good trait of the Filipinos. The Filipinos’ hospitality is shared to either foreigners or to fellow Filipinos. Their hospitality is not only shown during special events such as feasts, birthday celebrations, Christmas or New Year celebrations but also even on ordinary occasions. During and after a disaster, Filipinos’ virtue of hospitality is also shown like letting their fellow Filipinos use their vacant places as a temporary shelter, or in some instances allowing their fellow Filipinos to stay with them on one roof while for the restoration of their respective houses. 

In spite of life’s modernity, the Filipinos still observe and practice these virtues which have been passed on from one generation to another.

Photo credit to Asian Development Bank/Flicker

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