The Misuse and Abuse of "Proud to be Pinoy" (Say Mabuhay Instead)
|
|||||
The Misuse of Pride
I bet it's not only me who's sick and tired and tired and sick of the widespread misuse and abuse of the"Proud to be Pinoy" comment.
Youtube, Facebook and Twitter are the popular playgrounds where some belt out this "pride." In fact, we can be the world's proudest netizens in social media today in the way we flood the comments sections. Charice, Arnel Pineda, Apl De Ap and Manny Pacquiao are the 'suki' of the infamous "Proud to be Pinoy" comments - whatever 'Pinoy' we see in the international media, there is this pattern.
But something's really really wrong. Posters may have the right intentions, but most of the "Proud to be Pinoy" comments were really out-of-place, out-of-context and just about taking the ride, and bragging without rights.
Others take that as 'Nakikisakay na lang tayo sa kasikatan ng ating kababayan.' It could just be a case of improper articulation or phonetics, but other nationalities find it offensive, so immature and irrelevant in fact. It pisses them off whenever they see threads of "Proud to be Pinoy" comments... and it ignites an unnecessary racial battle. And why not? It's about the talent, and not about being Pinoy. "Manhid?"
In Tagalog, "Pinagmamalaki kong Pinoy ako dahil kay Manny, Charice etc..." Meh!
I understand we love to associate, we love to relate to any degree in fact. For every Filipino (pure or half, 1/4 or 1/8) who does great things and is globally recognized, we claim it, we're part of it. We take pride. We even trace the path to prove one's Filipino roots - whatever it takes. A trophy of one is a trophy of the nation. That's just right and so natural, but that could really go wrong too. We are "proud of our kabayan". Why don't we simply say, "I'm proud of you Charice" or whoever, or "Great Job!".
If Manny Pacquiao says "proud to be Pinoy," that's perfect. He is simply proud of what he can do being a Filipino. When Bruno Mars say he's proud to be a Filipino, it sounds right. When Nicole Scherzinger says she's proud of being Pinay, it sounds so sweet too. Apl d Ap continues to write Tagalog in every Black Eyed Peas album and he consistently say he's proud to be Pinoy. Right again. They have the bragging rights!
But us? The credit isn't ours. Let's rather express appreciation. "We're proud of you!" sounds way better.
Why are we so trigger-happy to comment "Proud to be Pinoy?"
Maybe, being in a low to mid-class in the world, or being in a third-world country invites it. We have this mindset that the world looks at us as underdogs, thus whenever a Filipino becomes a world-class fame, we're jumping into the ride. We want to prove something. We want to change the impression of other nation about us. And so we shout "Proud to be Pinoy" when one Filipino shines bright.
Sadly, this shows we're hungry of
Media also play a big role in the demise of the real essence of Pinoy pride. Success, achievements, dreams have been bordered within the entertainment world only (well, majority). Media oftentimes leaves a mark that whatever the pop Westerners does, Pinoys can do as well - and that's not one good yardstick to live by.
"Wohooo! Proud to be Pinoy!" - so what are you proud of? Proud of another's success is really okay, but is illogical and maligned. You should be proud because, you, being a Pinoy has great accomplishments. In the first place, nobody should be proud of himself, Pinoy or not, if he hasn't done anything.
Instead of "Proud..." Say Mabuhay
We seem to forget what Filipinos shout whenever we win battles, whenever we're rejoicing. We shout and chant "Mabuhay!" for our triumphant compatriot. Mabuhay is our signature greeting, chant and battle cry. I know where this "Proud to be Pinoy" is coming from - we're proud of what we have, we're happy because our kababayan is a winner, is popular, etc. Then, why not simply say, "I'm proud of you, Mabuhay ang Pinoy!"
Use "Proud to be Pinoy" in its true essence. Have reasons to support the pride. Being wowed by world-class Pinoy talents is an immature reason of being proud of yourself. Having heard the Philippines or Filipino in an international media isn't always a reason to exclaim pride. Imagine this... No Charice, No Manny Pacquiao, No Apl D Ap, or whose ever auntie-of-the-father-of-the-uncle's-cousin is a Filipino. What will be your reasons... Why are you proud to be Pinoy?
MABUHAY ANG FILIPINO!
56 comments:
Mabuhay si Manny at si Charice or we can say"we are/I am Proud of you" din. I love Philippines but i am not a proud pinoy anymore.
in some context you are right, not to spam comments on high profile Pinoys...
maybe those people who claimed to be proud of being pinoy because of Manny, Bruno Mars, etc, is just proud to have the same lineage as those stars...is it really that annoying? i'm not...
I am proud to be Pinoy because of my accomplishments, my beliefs, my heritage...no one can claim that i shouldn't be...
this is practically correct and one that must be uttered by most Filipinos everywhere they go. Hirap kasi when we say we are proud to be Pinoy when you are in the middle of everybody and not a dint have we contributed to the world when we are needed. Mas Maganda MABUHAY para welcoming ang effect and hindi self-limited.
Thanks for this post. useful sya lalo na sa mga bumabyahe sa ibang bansa.
I rarely say those phrases in reference to a celebrity who has Pinoy blood ... what I'd do is to wear shirts or speak about our country in a good way .... maganda ang point mo ... sana maraming makinig at ipagkalat ... sana hindi nila balewalain lang
I never thought of this way, but of course, you're right. Maybe it's because Filipinos think they have so little to be proud of that they need to be validated internationally through those people. But the Philippines has a lot of things to be proud of, kaya yes, Mabuhay!
nice post :)
Realistically I seldom say Mabuhay or I am proud to be Pinoy. I guess hindi tayo nasanay sa signature greeting natin . Sa lahat ng Pilipino sa mundo . Mabuhay!
mahilig sumabay sa uso and trend karamihan sa atin, unaware kung tama ba o hindi, nauso Proud to be Pinoy, naging bukambibig na :)
I agree with Joy. I think people say 'Proud to be Pinoy" because they hear it too often, which leads them to say the words without really knowing when to use it.
I remember it was BEAM Toothpaste TV Commercial that started it all some 10 years ago... It was a good concept - really good for a local toothpaste. Until it was used widely on anything Pinoy.
GUILTY! :|
I always use those words whenever I feel proud over something made by Pinoy's or Pinoy celebrities that has been discovered abroad. HAHAHA!
I am proud to say Mabuhay!
The interpretation and usage of over-used phrase, "Proud to be Pinoy" is very subjective. It's appropriate to say, "Proud to be Pinoy" when you're well=known Filipino celebrity. But if you're just an ordinary Filipino, it is more proper to say, "Mabuhay", that is, to mean a satisfaction and contentment deep within you for an accomplishment as a Filipino. Actually, those Filipinos who keep on saying, "Proud to be Pinoy" do not know the right value and application for themselves.
oh. you seem like pointing out that "proud to be pinoys" are only for the famous like charice and the others. we can actually say proud to be pinoy in our own little way. and the phrase also will act like inspiration that us too can do something to be "proud to be pinoy" even how infamous we are.
Honestly I seldom say either words "Proud to be Pinoy" or "Mabuhay" ... somehow I do understand your point that the words get overly misused. Some people just don't comepletely understand or grasp the whole definition of what it really means. Although I won't simply say that the stars are the ones who should just be using the word and everyone else should stick with Mabuhay. As a matter of fact I myself have said the word "Proud to be Pinay" a couple of times as I am proud to say that I am. I am half Korean and I don't look not one bit of being Filipino. Although I have been raised in Manila and know the language fluently. I get mistaken and when heard of speaking the language I get people's query eyes or look and all I can say is that I am Filipino too and even if I don't look like it I am proud to be one. Just sharing my opinion.
koreandoll | angel
I don't know but I don't really find it annoying. I'm also proud of Charice, Arnel and Manny and I'm guilty of "being proud" but I don't usually leave comments on youtube, twitter, etc and say "proud to be pinoy". Konti na lang kasi ang pwede nating ipagmalaki as Filipinos eh kaya nadadala tayo sa emotions natin when we see people gaining such recognition kaya napapa "proud to be pinoy" na rin tayo. :)
thanks for the comments guys! I don't say the phrase is wrong, and that celebrities are the only ones who have the right... it's just about it being misused by some of us, in the wrong venue as well.
sure we all have something to be proud of being pinoy ;-)
Yuuki don't get me wrong... Some posters has just become insensitive. At the most, on Youtube or wherever, the subject isn't about the nationality, but some of us make a big deal out of it - that "annoys" others because it's driving the thread out of the subject.
As I've said, feeling proud because you are also Filipino like these stars are just right and so natural - it's just about the context... ;-)
just my 2 fils...
We could say: "Represent"! But srsly, you have a point here. It made me assess myself as well because I wrote that I'm a proud Filipina on my twitter bio. That's because I'm proud of our culture and values. Whenever I talk to a non-Filipino colleague, I always say that we are family oriented, conservative people (to we can date whoever we want to date). Some think that we are not! Although you really can't help other kabayans who do crazy stuff. But bit by bit, I change their perspective one Indian or Arab at a time. :D
Okay I'll be saying Mabuhay! na din! hehe
Thank you for sharing this! :)
im cool with it Ion, just my 3 fills haha...
im sure u experience while working with diff nationalities here in Dubai that compared to them Filipinos are much capable, multi-tasker, easy to comprehend...kaya ako proud to be Pinoy talaga...
on the context of famous Pinoys, never ako nag comment ng ganun...but maybe those who did are sobrang proud lang talaga, diba? kulit lang eh ;)
Mabuhay!
I hardly say that, though I'd rather have that than those Pinoys who pull other accomplished Pinoys DOWN. Marami din un.
In truth, there are really only a few things that we can be proud of as a nation. Just my two cents but can we please get back to the economy, poverty alleviation and job creation and then brag about that? Not just brag about other people's accomplishments?
I'm sorry but most Filipinos like to brag about prominent Filipinos but they haven't done much themselves.
I always see the "proud to be pinoy" comment all over youtube. It's sad that many use this for videos of famous Filipinos, and not on other matters that also bring pride to the Philippines.
I'm proud to be a Filipino because of the values our ancestry instilled in us. but let's admit to say I'm proud to be pinoy because of other Filipinos' accomplishment is quite off -- tama why not just say "I'm proud of my kababayan" na lang haha. but over all if we really are proud of our roots then let's just say Mabuhay!
I'm still proud to be Pinoy because of the same reasons I support the "It's more fun in the Philippines" campaign. I somehow agree with you when people say that phrase whenever any of our fellow Filipinos achieve something. I am one of them actually. It's not because of the specific personalities (Pacquiao, Charice, etc.), but because I am proud that we are a bunch of talented people.
I know there are a ton of things we can be ashamed of for being Filipinos, but I believe the good still outweighs the bad.
Actually, with pride comes destruction. I'm thankful to be pinoy. This is where my Creator have put me, I am going to do the best I can to give back to Him.
It's actually irky that when some pinoy is making it good elsewhere, even if that person has not even learned to be pinoy, we CLAIM that person's success.
I have to agree in certain levels. The proud to be Pinoy phrase is like a tagline, cliche maybe it may sound offensive to other people/race but we are just claiming it. And yes, your are correct to use Mabuhay instead of using the said phrase but I doubt we can easily change that - it is fossilized in certain extent.
Love the way you explain this stuff. I didn't noticed this thing. Maybe because I don't used the sentence, or I haven't.
This is the way it should be, tama ka bro.
My link post read your lips - the game of writing
>>Click here to return to Filipino Bloggers Wordwide ExCom<<
I'm proud to be pinoy. You should too specially if you are helping the country grow through your actions.
so very true.
i agree with your post, konting dugo lang ng pinoy, we take credits na but i'm still proud to be pinoy, no need to type it in social media.
Proud to be pinoy going to be 'It's more fun in the Philippines' soon!
I get the idea of this post. I am not big on the phrase or even the word MABUHAY myself but I guess we can't help people especially those who are working in other countries away from their families to just be proud being a Filipino - regardless.
Kahit ano nmang words or lines pwedeng mamis use ngkataon lng na naging successful ang ad/pr ng proud to be pinoy tag,,, pwede nman ntng gmitin lhat khit indi tau celeb ung line, and I will always say na i am proud to be pinoy khit anong status q, minsan ksi mga celeb n rn ang nagiging OA sa paggamit ng line like a certain singer na nkakanta lng ata sa laban ni ninong manny feeling worlwide trending n cya sabay post ng "proud to be pinoy" jejeje luv dis post and most of all the comments;)
I myself also get pissed off when everyone is bragging that they're proud Filipinos, esp. on Filipino 9Gag posts that are trending or on hit Youtube videos with Filipinos involved. I made an article about that. Check it out here: http://therealsuperstu.blogspot.com/2011/12/proud-or-just-bragging.html
Mabuhay Ion! Hehe. yeah, I got the point. I am such a proud Pinoy. Siguro I have to correct din myself kasi sometimes nagagawa ko to. Thanks sayo! :)
flaws makes a person sometimes stands-out, but still I'm too proud to be Pinoy
Mabuhay! (Haha) To be honest, I don't find these comments annoying but sometimes, I do see how people from other countries can misconstrue this especially in Youtube. However, I don't see it happening often so I guess other people are fine with it too. :) More often than not, it's the Filipinos who get ashamed when other Filipinos do this, which I think is part of our apologetic nature - a trait that we might want to look into since there are tons of things that we should be proud of. :)
You said it right! One has no right to say he's proud of something he had not accomplished. If one had done something great, that's the only time for him to be proud of what he has done.
Mabuhay Pilipino...:-)
my punto! marami talagang nakikisakay sa kasikatan ng iilang tao...
May tama ka!
sad but true, ganyan yata na talaga tayung mga pinoy
Proud to be Pinoy bec amidst everything that we have been though, we still give sincere smiles.
Although I commend your passion in this article, and while I do understand your points, I think though that Filipinos end up saying "proud to be pinoy" because they are pointing out the capabilities of being a pinoy.
Kinda like, "I am proud to be pinoy because a pinoy, like (insert some internationally acclaimed pinoy's name here), dominates in her/his field. "
Nothing wrong with that IMHO
Much support, Christia
_______
Savouring Didi’s Pizza from Christia's World
I miss reading posts and essays which tackle different topics, and this one is a breather from the regular posts I read about food, travels, etc. :) Very nice insights :)
never thought of it this way.
mabuhay!
Way to go for correcting this little social communication error. Little but it can start a fight, just like a little grammatical error can win or lose a case.
I am proud to be pinoy no matter what people say! Nakikisakay na kung nakikisakay mas okay naman na makisakay ang mga pinoy kaysa sa mga may crab mentality.
I am proud of my achievements as well as my plans. I am proud to be Pinoy.
http://travel-on-a-shoe-string.blogspot.com
Mabuhay! :) The problem is in the PTBP is it's overuse. Kahit saan nalang, proud to be ganito, proud na ganyan. OA much. In as much as I am proud to be pinoy, I like Mabuhay too... short, simple, closer to home. :)
you had a good point there, we shouldn't stereotype things. though i still have a lot of things to be proud of being pinoy... living in a 3rd world country is tough and rough but somehow we still managed to survive... and because that's who i am... a Filipino... love your own hahaha. Yahweh bless.
interesting comments guys, thanks for taking part... some have got me wrong...
we can of course always be proud to be Pinoy. I am always proud to be Pinoy because I have loads of reasons - not just because other Pinoys are doing great.
Also, this post is only covering how most of us react on social media (wrongfully)
Oh yes, Proud to be Pinoy is one of those overused slogans/comments. I have never used this verbally or in any of my writings though I don't see anything wrong about it. I love the Philippines because it is my native country. Sometimes, I ask myself, is there anything that I should be proud of? Mabuhay! More power to you and to your blog.
See you @ www.fromatravellersdesk.com
kung talagang proud kayo, mag tagalog kayo!
Yes this "Proud to be pinoy" was also a controversial on the American Idol comments pages and other race get annoyed with which lead other to switch votes favored to other contestant instead for Jessica, although Jessica is also a half mexican but did not found any that says their proud to be Mexican, I really don't understand the feeling but even me I was unaware posted this phrase too but later I just realized that it was wrong to used that phrase too.
Thank you so much for this post! I have been feeling this way for the longest time. I understand why some Filipinos say "Proud to be Pinoy" because they're proud when our own becomes famous and is praised by non-Filipinos. However, it's really annoying at times when Filipinos directly link someone's success to the fact they are Filipino. Get a grip.
Post a Comment