Transcending Filipinism

The term Filipinism by itself is Filipinism. It is uncommon in usage internationally, but somehow it made its way to world dictionaries and may refer to usage resulting from literally translating Tagalog words into English. These are English usage peculiar to and used only by Filipinos. Turn on/ off the lights is spoken as Open/ Close the lights; CR or Comfort Rooms are used instead of Toilets (The word “Toilet” has sensibility issue and considered unhygienic); Napkins are referred to as Tissue; Canteen is used instead of Cafeteria; Colgate means Toothpaste even though it’s a Close-Up; Refrigerator is generally called Frigidaire: Xerox is to photocopy even if the machines in use are UBIX, Brothers, etc. The preceding examples demonstrate that Filipinism is beyond lingual. 

It is about tradition, customary practice and generally accepted norms that manifest in  language and its usage. Filipinism is also expressions in actions like; the” boodle fight” to celebrate brotherhood and oneness; pouting or swaging of the lips to point direction; the rectangular fingers sign demanding for receipt; the smile with a nod when crossing path with a neighbor or acquaintance as a sign of courtesy; the surrender of a forehead to the hands of an elder upon reaching home to symbolize respect and subjugation. 

Boodle Fight with a Tourist

Mid Boodle Fight

Food before the Boodle Fight

Filipinism is about expediency and conservation of personal energy amid the life of scarcity and rare abundance. Filipinism is about the Filipino families whose members might be highly educated and thus by themselves understand the rules of English grammar but nonetheless accept these usages as a Filipino way of expression. The literal meaning in Filipino of English words and phrases is nearer to their heart because it is unpretentious and more understandable. It signifies empathy to the less educated. It is a way of reaching out. It is a means of patronage for the family members and relatives who were denied the opportunity to step a foot inside the halls of education, a mode of social blending. Filipinism is truly about the Filipino family, their uncompromising love, and concern for each other. The willingness to sacrifice personal comfort and happiness in order to bring a taste of the good life to their family. 

It is about their bond, and generally in all modesty a bond that maybe regarded as perpetual and unbreakable. Filipinism is more than language, again it is about the Filipino sensibilities, it is about a culture. 

Let us now give a thought on the positivities of Filipinism and the possibility of transcending it to National-ism.  It may safely be deduce that Filipinism is borne by scarcity and rare abundance; the need to complement each other; by patronage; respect; responsibility; tolerance; conservation, prudence and expediency. These elements were brought about by a common bond, that is, the sense of belonging and sharing. If the latter can be harness on a national level, to make each social unit of a family feel and actually be made as part of a whole through transparency, consultation and true participation in dealing with national issues particularly its effect on the ordinary Filipino's way of life, then maybe Filipino Nationalism can become the collective meaning of Filipinism, unbreakable..., perpetual.