Ningas Cogon, Filipino time, One Day Millionaire and Fatalism - the other side of the Filipinos

-
Laura Arellano/Cogon Grass

 Oftentimes, people are associated and identified by their culture, their traits in particular. Filipinos, for example, are known for their values. These values shaped their identity and were helpful in their pursuit of livelihood not just in the Philippines but also in other countries. One of their famous values is hard work and manifest this particular value in their respective workplaces and any personal or professional endeavors. 

Like other people, Filipinos also have values that are perceived as unpopular. Despite the negative perception attached to these negative traits, Filipinos still practice these negative traits because they have become part of their culture. 

Below are just some of the Filipino traits that have perceived negative meanings 

Ningas Cogon 

Ningas cogon is a unique, yet fascinating trait of the Filipinos. Figuratively, it refers to one’s burning desire to start and finish a project or any endeavor, yet, all of a sudden make a u-turn and abandon what she/he has enthusiastically started. 

Ningas cogon is an analogy to a burning cogon grass which fizzles out quickly. Admittedly, many Filipinos are guilty of this particular trait. In the Philippines, many people enthusiastically embark on an endeavor. 

At first, there is a burning desire to finish the project or any endeavor but sooner, for no apparent reason, loses interest in what she/he has started. The person who has enthusiastically started his/her endeavor may eventually abandon the said endeavor.

The 5th/Wristwatch


Filipino Time 

With the exception of some genuinely professional Filipinos who practice punctuality, many Filipinos can relate and are guilty of this “ Filipino Time” trait. 

“Filipino Time” literally is not the time observed by Filipinos everyday, rather it is just a figurative language in a particular situation where Filipinos arrive at an agreed place an hour or longer than the original time they have agreed. 

In this age of technological advancement, still many Filipinos practice this trait. Can Filipinos get rid of this negative trait? The answer is a big No. Ningas Cogon and other traits deemed undesirable have become part of Filipino culture. 

So in the Philippines, if you agree to meet at that place at 10 am then you arrive at 11am, then you are guilty and practicing Filipino time trait or an hour or longer late. 

Don’t worry if you would be an hour or longer late because you are not alone. Those who agreed with you would also come late. 

Anj Reyes/Philippine Peso Bills

One-Day-Millionaire 

Sorry, we are not counting here millions of monies; we are just trying to elaborate on the infamous trait of the Filipinos of “One Day/Time Millionaire.” Millions here is just hyperbolic figurative language alluding to lavish spending of some Filipinos with their money as there will be no tomorrow.

To Filipinos, “One Day/Time Millionaire” is a figurative language connoting someone's one-time lavish spending of money. This money could come from a lottery win, winning from a game of chance or from a company 13th month pay or from any other sources of money. 

While it is true that money is meant to be spent, but not in the manner and items which are on unnecessary things like alcoholic drinks, games of chance, on numbers games. Born and raised in the Philippines, I can attest to the existence of this particular behavior of some Filipinos. Many Filipinos still practice this trait these days. 

Fatalism 

Last but not the least is “Fatalism.” Another perceived negative trait of the Filipinos referring to their particular behavior when confronted with challenges. They would tend to be submissive and would resort to fatalistic attitudes. 

The “Bahala Na” or fatalism in English is entrusting one’s fate to fictional characters and superheroes like Batman, Robin, Superman and other inanimate characters or referring generally to entrusting one’s faith or endeavor to uncertain future circumstances. 

The Bahala Na is like giving up or surrendering to life’s hardships as if the person could no longer do anything to his/her life or any endeavor that he/she would resort to “ Bahala Na or Fatalistic” behavior. 

Ironically, many Filipinos are known for their values of being positive and resilient. They are able to rise from the ashes, particularly after a

disaster or a misfortune. This Filipino trait of “Fatalism” is in contrast to their values of optimism and resilience. 

This fatalistic trait of the Filipinos is exemplified in the following instances: 

● When a learner doesn’t know the answer in an exam then he/she will just answer well aware that his/her answer is not sure to be correct. 

● Another example is when making a proposal to a woman without any idea if he would be accepted. 

● Or when going to another place or country to work. 

These are just some of the instances where fatalistic attitude is manifested. Honestly, fatalism comes with danger as it puts someone’s future or fate in uncertainty. But Filipinos have been accustomed to adventure and risk-taking endeavors. And the “Bahala Na” and fatalistic attitudes is part of the Filipinos’ risk-taking nature. 

Do these traits affect the Filipinos 

Not at all. To them, these perceived negative traits of “Ningas Cogon, Fatalism, One Day Millionaire and Filipino Time '' have become part of their culture and doing away with it is hard. Besides, Filipinos are generally not pretentious people. 

Filipinos always show their true color to other people. They adhere to this popular maxim “What you see is what you get.” Filipinos hate pretensions and deceptions. Whether you like it or not, Filipinos will show and tell people what they are feeling.


How do other people perceive these negative traits 

Surprisingly, many people are curious about these traits. They keep asking if these traits are really manifested by Filipinos. They could hardly believe that Filipinos, known for their values also possess these traits. 

Do Filipinos still practice these traits? 

Unfortunately, yes. Despite the negative connotation these traits are still practiced by the Filipinos. Like other people, Filipinos also have their imperfections and shortcomings. They are not perfect. They have these frailty and weaknesses ascribed to humans. 



Author: Samuel A. Escabarte 

samuelescabarte@gmail.com

Author is a Filipino licensed English Language and Literature teacher. Please follow me as I share with you my country’s rich, diverse culture, assimilation of culture brought and introduced by the country’s colonizers.


You may also check these eBooks on Payhip

Popular posts from this blog

Lomboy (Black Plums) Leaves: The Poor Man's Cigarettes

-
Image
In today's blog, we'll talk about the Lomboy tree and its many uses from its fruits, wood, and leaves. These trees grow not only in the Philippines but also in other tropical countries in Asia. In the Philippines, Lomboy trees grow well with any type of soil be it in rural or urban areas. Wood  The Lomboy tree wood is used as reliable materials for building houses, furniture such as tables, chairs, and other house furniture.  Lomboy Fruits Lomboy fruits are sweet, purple in color, and oblong in shape. Unfortunately, children cannot easily get their fruits as these trees grow bigger and taller. Aside from its tasty fruits, black plums fruits also have health benefits. Black plums fruits are packed with vitamin c, iron, and magnesium, and other nutrients.  In the Philippines, some fully-grown trees grow as high as 30-40 meters in height. With its size it would be hard for children to get its fruits. Lomboy Leaves  The Lomboy leaves have been used by the Filipinos espec...
Read more

Paninilbihan (Servitude): A Traditional Filipino Courtship Custom

-
Image
 Another traditional courtship custom that used to be popular among Filipino men for its unique, marriage-like setup is ‘ Paninilbihan’ or servitude in the English language. Paninilbihan is just one of the many traditional Filipino courtship customs which used to be observed and practiced by Filipino suitors to help them win Filipina women’s hearts and at the same time to prove their sincerity and patience to the women they are trying to woo.  In this particular courtship tradition, the suitor stays in the house of a woman he is courting for a particular period of time. Throughout the Paninilbihan period, the man would do various farm and household chores while being observed by both the woman he is courting and her parents. The duration of Paninilbihan (Servitude) may vary depending on the suitor and the parents of the woman. The Paninilbihan is a perfect opportunity for both the woman’s family and her suitor if they could get along with one another based on the relationship ...
Read more

Knowing the 4 wild fruits in the Philippines

-
Image
Not too many people know that the Philippines are abundant not only with tasty, tropical fruit trees but also with wild fruit trees.  Ironically, most of these wild fruits are not found in the wild but are found and grown in densely populated residential areas such as in the backyard and even along the roads. And contrary to the popular belief, most of these fruits can be eaten without having to worry about fruit poisoning.  These wild fruits are favorite among Filipino children because aside from the excitement of racing to get these fruits, they are also good to satisfy a hungry stomach.  Below are just some of the wild fruits found in the Philippines:  Aratiles/cherry trees Aratiles are fruit-bearing wild trees found mostly in residential areas. Its fruits are favorite for birds and children alike. Its fruits’ color differs depending on the ripeness of the fruits.  Aratiles fruits are very small, soft, and sweet. Ripe fruits are colored pink and turn re...
Read more