What Makes You a Good Filipino?, If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Am I a good Filipino?” you’re not alone. In a country with such a strong sense of national identity, it’s a question that can linger in the back of our minds. We might look at our heroes, our community leaders, or our OFWs and think that being a “good Filipino” requires grand, sweeping acts of sacrifice.
But what if we’ve been looking at it all wrong?
Being a good Filipino isn’t about a single, monumental achievement. It’s not a title you earn after meeting a specific checklist. Instead, it’s a quiet, consistent practice woven into the fabric of our daily lives. It’s found in the small, conscious choices that honor our culture, uplift our community, and build a better future.
Here are a few ways that goodness shows up, often without fanfare.
1. You Carry Bayani-han in Your Heart, What Makes You a Good Filipino?
We often romanticize Bayanihan as the literal act of a community carrying a nipa hut on their shoulders. The modern Bayanihan spirit is subtler but just as powerful. It’s:
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Helping a coworker finish a task without being asked.
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Volunteering your skills to a local charity or youth group.
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Checking in on an elderly neighbor.
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Simply being a responsible and helpful member of your online and offline communities.
It’s the understanding that our individual well-being is tied to the well-being of those around us.
2. You Practice Critical Patriotism
A good Filipino doesn’t just love the country blindly. True love is honest and wants what’s best for the beloved. This means:
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Engaging critically: You don’t just share news; you verify it. You question narratives and seek out reliable information.
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Holding space for discourse: You can listen to opinions different from your own and engage in respectful dialogue, understanding that a healthy nation thrives on diverse perspectives.
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Demanding accountability: You believe that expecting good governance from our leaders is one of the most patriotic acts we can perform.
This kind of patriotism is active, not passive. It’s a love that rolls up its sleeves and gets involved.
3. You Embrace the Makabago and the Makaluma
A good Filipino walks confidently into the future without leaving the past behind. This means:
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Celebrating our heritage: You listen to OPM, appreciate our traditional arts, and try to understand our indigenous cultures. You might even make an effort to learn a few words of a local dialect beyond your own.
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Supporting local: You consciously choose to buy Pinoy—from patronizing local farmers’ markets to supporting Filipino designers, entrepreneurs, and artists.
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Protecting our environment: You understand that our beautiful beaches, mountains, and forests are a national treasure. Practicing simple eco-habits, like proper waste disposal, is an act of love for the Philippines.
4. You Lead with Malasakit
Malasakit is a uniquely Filipino concept that goes deeper than sympathy or empathy. It’s a genuine, deep-seated care and concern for the welfare of others. You know you have malasakit when:
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You feel a sense of responsibility not just for your family, but for your community.
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The success of a fellow Filipino, even a stranger, brings you genuine joy.
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You are pained by injustice and moved to help, even in a small way.
This innate compassion is the bedrock of our famous Filipino hospitality and resilience.
5. You Forge Your Own Path
Lastly, being a good Filipino does not mean you have to fit a specific mold. The Philippines is a tapestry of diverse stories. You are a good Filipino if you are:
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An OFW sacrificing abroad for your family back home.
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A community-based entrepreneur creating jobs in your barangay.
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An artist reimagining Filipino myths for a new generation.
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A scientist working on solutions for local problems.
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A teacher shaping young minds.
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A citizen who simply strives to be kind, honest, and hardworking in your everyday life.
The Bottom Line
So, what makes you a good Filipino?
It’s not about the scale of your impact, but the intention behind your actions. It’s in the small, daily decisions to be informed, to be compassionate, to be responsible, and to contribute your unique thread to the vibrant, ever-evolving fabric of our nation.
You don’t need to be a hero. You just need to be present, to care, and to try. And if you’re asking yourself this question in the first place, you’re likely already on the right path.
Magandang Pilipino ka. And that is more than enough.