I recently read an article about the main problems that hinder most Filipinos, It featured four main problems, which are; 1. The “Bahala Na” attitude, 2.they ride the bandwagon often, 3.Because we do not think, and 4.Some values we receive as children , These may seem like harsh, hurtful words, but as the saying goes “the truth,hurts”.
Now I won’t tackle all of those four, if I did, I could write a whole book on the subject, so I asked myself, among the four, which is more terrifying? but first let me explain what and why I did not choose the other three.
Number 2: We ride the bandwagon often– first and foremost this is not a big problem, people naturally go for what’s viral and what’s “in”, however yes it may set our beloved country as mere copycats, but hey! who isn’t?
Number 3:Because we do not think– This is just another reference to how Filipinos lack a sense of global uniqueness, I was pretty pissed off when I read the article, but what’s been said, has been said, An example of it is the annual Metro Manila Film Festival. Ilda had written an old but a very provocative article about this topic. (sorry for the minor plagiarism on that last sentence.)
Number 4: Some values we receive as children – I can’t argue with this, there are some negative values, Pinoy’s are exposed to as children, that greatly affect’s our lives as adults, here’s a link for a list of those “negative values“, I chose not to tackle this even if it’s a major topic, that can greatly help the Filipino’s if corrected, because (i’m planning to create a whole segment of posts around this topic.)
WHAT IS THE TOP POISON AMONG THE FOUR?
What I believe is something that we should eliminate in our country, is the viral disease of attitude called “BAHALA NA”, whatever happens, happens, now I chose this because of two major reasons:
#1: IT FORCES US TO NOT ACT– when a person says “Bahala Na” (whatever happens, happens.) what he’s really saying is “I no longer have the desire to know what to do, and how to do it, so I will just be content whit whatever comes.” you get into this crippled mental state, and what’s worse is when we say “Bahala Na” we follow it with the saying “Si God na bahala.” (God will take care of it)
Now I am a spiritual man, I have a strong personal relationship with our creator, but when you say verbally and mentally and spiritually, that you leave it all to him and that you don’t have the guts to do something about it, what you are really saying is “whatever happens, it’s on you God.” I specifically remember the saying “DO YOUR BEST AND
GOD WILL DO THE REST!” it never said “PUT IT ALL ON GOD, AND DO NOTHING.”
“ACTION” no matter how small, when done in a great way and in a great sense of passion and desire, is unstoppable! Respect yourself enough, that you stop relying on someone else to act, and respect life enough, that you stop putting it on everyone else, but yourself, MAN UP! (if you’re a woman the “man up” phrase applies to you too.
#2:IT’S CONTAGIOUS– Remember in school when we’re part of a team project, and after the process of doing that project, when it’s time to pass it to the teacher and the quality of our work was not what we expected it to be, There’s always that one guy that says “BAHALA NA” (what ever happens, happens) and what do the other team members do? they pile on and start consoling each other that “whatever happens, happens, we love this habit of “Bahala na” because it removes the guilt within us when we leave it to someone else like the universe, or god, or the spirits, or your ancestors! and when that feeling is emitted to the world, people around you start to do more of the same, why? because it removes the weight on our shoulders.
We are Filipinos! we have experienced a ton of hell as a country, lost a lot of heroes to the enemies, and we have fought great battles individually, but with our Blood, Our Courage and Our Love for this country, we dug out of hell, eliminated our enemies, and crushed the demons we fight individually, our ability to adapt and summon courage when needed, is what makes us a Filipino, Mediocrity is not in our vocabulary, Let us stop “THE BAHALA NA ATTITUDE”! we don’t need to put it on someone else!we don’t need to rely on other countries to prosper, we will rise!
I am a Pinoy citizen, and I can’t change that, and I don’t what to, the funny kwirks! The weird beliefs! the positive habits! these are what defines us, I wrote this piece not to change what makes us “Pinoy”, but rather to unleash and hopefully spread what the Filipinos really are, a country with more potential! not because of our natural resources, or our beautiful tourist spots, but rather because, we possess what most do not understand, “HEART”.
The Ten Fold Mentality 