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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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.
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