I don’t know why the last few post here seem to be putting the blame of the fipino misery over the colonial reign of Spain to what this country has become now. Why be ashamed to be called Filipino/pinoy . The Philippines and the people of today are the mere products of the time and can identify ourselves differently from other asian neighbors . Our long history and contact with europeans is nonetheless something that molded us uniquely our own and should be standing proud of .

I noticed some posters here ashamed to be called themselves Filipinos .
Where does that point of shame come from ? I can understand there is some of us living with a culture if blame .Typical isn’t it ? Blaming our own misfortunes as caused by somebody else and not owning up our very own mistakes. In 1950 – 60′s after independence our economy were ahead of Japan ,but soon after it was plummeting down to miserable state to date . Was it again all due to Spain ? Wasn’t it influneced by and large the same typical pinoy psyche of ningas cogon , pakikisama ,nepotism ,’ kamag-anak system ‘and ‘me ,me me ,me ‘ eccentric greedy plonkers and putting them into office without a thought , and most of it our mistakes in the making ,choosing the wrong leaders incapable of making the right decisions to lead this country to success .

What if not being colonize by Spain ,and not named filipinos .
Will we be fliying high with the first world?Not being rude ,but I think the Taliba group’s arguments is too far beyond my comprehension of what is sensible .Regarding Lapu-lapu as a national hero ?I must be mad ,if i ever agree of him as one. No way .Isn’t he and his followers just similar to the ravaging murderous Abu Sayaff or MINLF of today ? I am even worried to set foot to the lovely Mindanao incase I be caught in cross fires and kidnapping. Wow and Lapu-lapu a hero ,jeeezzz . If I do change my lines and believed it , send me to mental rehab pls.

negrense:

I’m speaking for myself not Taliba but I don’t have any delusions that the so-called Philippines would be a “1st world” country due to colonialism. I believe that we would be in a similar economic position as we are today but with a stronger/clearer sense of culture. I do admit that colonialism has helped us early on.

If you want to justify output of uniqueness as justification of colonialism, I disagree. It’s a condescending attitude of “we are different (ie better because we are Christians) than our Asian neighbors.

African Americans have a totally unique history and struggle. Do you justify slavery because we have Jazz and great athletes? Having pride of going through/surviving the struggle is good to be proud of but the actual event of kidnapping, slavery, colonialism, forced religion, etc? That is different.

Regarding Lap-Lapu as a national hero, I agree with you to some extent as it’s a contradiction of the mass Filipino mindset. If Lapu-Laup is a hero, then why doesn’t his fight resonate with you? By comparing Lapu-Lapu to the Abu Sayaff, isn’t fair as Lapu-Lapu was protecting his homeland from invaders. While I deplore Abu Sayaff ways, I do understand that they are a product of colonialism in the Philippines. Their ancestors were driven south where they still continue the fight against the Spanish.

Bottom line, think of it this way…….

You have a great life now with your own set of values, religion, language, economy, and etc. Say a group of people invaded your city and forced you to change everything or they would kill you. There’s a reason why colonialism (in the physical sense) does not occur today – because it’s wrong. Simple as that.

Thank you very much Christian. You had put it very aptly. We couldn't agree more. You are indeed one of the enlightened one.

To negrense:

With all due respect, we believe that you got it all wrong. If you would just care to read our post again, you would surely get the answers to some of your questions.

The comparison with the Abu Sayaff is utterly without basis. Rajah Lapu-lapu fought with honor, bravery, and love for his people and country. The Abu Sayaffs, being a terrorist group, would never come close to the status of our great hero.

Our advocacy originated from the historical fact that our colonizers (especially the Spaniards, who were responsible in giving the present name to our country) divested our ancestors of their ancestral possessions and enslaved them for 3 centuries. Should we, as descendants of our great ancestors, who shed blood and sacrificed their lives, be proud of that? That, we would even be willing to be named after our oppressor?

Our colonizers were responsible in implanting an oppressive system in our soil. A system where the culture of materialism and greed thrives. A system that feeds on the flesh of our people. To this day, the same system (in its mutated form) still subsists. Only the principal actors did change.

Thank you very much Christian. You had put it very aptly. We couldn’t agree more. You are indeed one of the enlightened one.

To negrense:

With all due respect, we believe that you got it all wrong. If you would just care to read our post again, you would surely get the answers to some of your questions.

The comparison with the Abu Sayaff is utterly without basis. Rajah Lapu-lapu fought with honor, bravery, and love for his people and country. The Abu Sayaffs, being a terrorist group, would never come close to the status of our great hero.

Our advocacy originated from the historical fact that our colonizers (especially the Spaniards, who were responsible in giving the present name to our country) divested our ancestors of their ancestral possessions and enslaved them for 3 centuries. Should we, as descendants of our great ancestors, who shed blood and sacrificed their lives, be proud of that? That, we would even be willing to be named after our oppressor?

Our colonizers were responsible in implanting an oppressive system in our soil. A system where the culture of materialism and greed thrives. A system that feeds on the flesh of our people. To this day, the same system (in its mutated form) still subsists. Only the principal actors did change.

Mabuhay ang lahing MAHARLIKA. Sana ito nalang ang pangalan ng ating bansa.

I totally agree with you TALIBA. Parang to dream the impossible dream. Sayang hindi natuloy yung plano ng former pres. Marcos na echange into Maharlika ang Pinas, civil unrest yata kahit saan sa Pinas noon kaya hindi nalang nabigyan ng pansin si Maharlika.

So who would you (TALIBA and Christian) consider a REAL FILIPINO hero?

I didn’t really know too much about the history of the Philippines until I started roaming around here and reading comments and whatnot. So I thank you guys for the sharing our history here

@Sugboboy: Lapu Lapu fought not to be a Filipino. I disagree that we can’t do anything about it. Other countries have changed their name to move on from their colonial past.

Ano ako? Ayoko nang akuin ang pangalan na ibinahagi ng mga kastila sa aking inang bayan. Sino ako? Marami tayong mga kulturang pinagdaanan. Ano ang tunay nating mga pangalan? Ano ba talaga ang dapatkong itawag sa sarili ko? Itaas ko daw ang aking noo kahit kanino ngunit paano kung ang kalagayan ng sarili kong bansa ay namumulubi. Huwag mo kaagad sasagutin and mga tanong kong ito hangga’t hindi mo nakikilala ang tunay mong pagkatao’t pinanggalingan. Hangga’t hindi mo nakikita ang malubhang sakit sa dinaramdam ng aking inang bayan. At huwag na huwag mong masabi sa akin kung ano ang tama at mali tungkol sa inang bayang pinanggalingan ko dahil wala kang karapatan. Lahat tayo’y walang ginagawa upang iahon sa kahirapan ang inang bansa kung hindi ang manood lamang.
Ikaw, sino ka bang talaga?

Dude…if we were not inherited By them..just imagine whats gonna be our physical characteristics?.. were gonNa look like lil wayne…i dont wnna look like him…im brOwn but im damn sure that im not bLack..peace

kung may magrereklamo email nyo koh….pra may ginagawa nman keo turuan ko keo gumawa ng resume..haha aranasm@lhd2.navy.mil

Haha this doesn’t look like Lapu Lapu. It looks like Che Guevara! lol XD

this blasphemy! this is madness!