In your opinion, in what positive aspect do Filipinos excel?

We are a very creative, versatile, and intelligent people. I hope honest and creative leaders emerge to harness these talents for greater national development. – Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province

We have excellent survival skills. We are the survivors of a string of so many natural and man-made disasters. – Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City

Grace under pressure

Grace under pressure. It’s the most positive Filipino value ever. Ravaged by natural and man-made calamities, we’re still firm and our national spirit is intact. – Leonard Villa, Batac City

It’s the Filipinos’ resiliency to overcome natural or man-made calamities. In spite of troubles, nakangiti pa rin ang Pinoy. – C.B. Manalastas, Manila

We excel most with our capacity to withstand extreme hardship and adverse circumstances. We can always manage to smile. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City

The only thing I have in mind are the smiles on our faces even in the middle of the hardest of times. – Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City

Filipinos have such a strong faith in God and a positive outlook. We keep smiling even in the face of gloom and we’re always looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. – L.C. Fiel, Quezon City

We can excel in everything, given the chance

Normally, we can excel in everything we put our minds into. The absence of challenges and incentives, however, causes our minds to stagnate and leaves it passive. – Ruel Bautista, Laguna

With proper motivation and training, Filipinos can excel in almost everything. See Pacman, Charice and Paeng? – Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal

Filipinos can excel in everything, given the right opportunity. – Jae delos Santos, Muntinlupa City

The more we experience hardships and difficulties in life, the more we become stronger, and the more we are challenged to get even. I am referring to ordinary Pinoys who strive very hard, yung kayod marino. In other countries, more often than not, we are discriminated against because of the kind of jobs we have (domestic helpers and caregivers, for example). Here, a foreigner is accorded royal treatment and we give him a taste of our hospitality. We also have a natural talent for performing, singing and acting. We have scientists who are given honors here and abroad. We also excel in fashion and in furniture design. We just need a moral boost, which we lack. Sayang, di ba? – Rose Leobrera, Manila

It’s the Filipino’s ability to “be wise or otherwise”, which could propel him or her to succeed in whatever endeavor. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City

Let me simplify that first, Filipinos belong to a multi-talented race. We have prestigious record holders like Paeng Nepumuceno, Bong Coo, Eugene Torre and Manny Pacquiao in their respective sports. We have child achievers in chess, golf and skating. We have directors and actors taking major awards in international film competition. We have the likes of Lea Salonga in music, Monique Lhuillier and others in fashion, inventors and scientists, and don’t forget our skilled OFWs as they wouldn’t be preferred for nothing. There’s GK for goodwill and humanitarian, SMEs and cooperatives for livelihood and a lot more. Filipinos, given the right breaks, can excel positively in any field. – Imee Aglibot, Rizal

We are known for being hospitable

It’s our hospitality that’s unsurpassed. We always bring out the best linen and silverware to treat our guests. – Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City

Filipinos are very hospitable. – Jojit Yu, Pitogo, Quezon

I believe that hospitality is one positive Filipino trait that we can be proud of. We readily welcome and get acquainted with newcomers and visitors. – Dino Monzon, Caloocan City

I worked in Malaysia for 10 years. Filipinos excel in their hospitality and hard work. – Gigi Zulita, Zamboanga City

Devotion to family

Love, care, protection, pride for his or her family is what is exceptional among us Pinoys. – Justo Cammayo, Isabela

Survivors

Filipinos are pliant like the bamboo. This reminds me of the Chinese saying: “The teeth are hard and they fall out, the tongue is soft and it remains.” If not for this trait, we never would have survived 300 years of Spanish colonization, 50 years of Hollywood, four years of Japanese imperialism, 20 years of a conjugal dictatorship, 31 months of Erap-Ping and PGMA-FG up to 2010. Talagang pang- Survivor Philippines tayo. – Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City

We Filipinos are described as “pliant like the bamboo”. We are tenacious but flexible and practical. That is why we survive, get over and weather all sorts of storms that come our way, no matter what. We are determined, committed and sacrificing, especially for the sake of the family. Umalis na lahat ng tao dahil declared as war zone na at mapanganib ang isang lugar, nandiyan pa rin ang Filipino. We are persevering, trustworthy and hard working. These peculiarities and many other good qualities make us competitive and give us an edge over all other nationalities. I am very proud of our race. Keep it up, mga kababayan. – Jaime Macayana, Republic of South Africa

One positive aspect we excel in today is the capacity to hurdle the hardships that PGMA is giving us. Ramdam na ramdam ang kahirapan, di kaunlaran, pero nakakaraos pa rin. – Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City

Filipinos excel in being resilient and matiisin.– Felma Aguilan, Misamis Oriental

We have the ability to thrive in difficult living conditions and to adapt to different cultures. Filipinos excel when it comes to hard work and dedication for the common good. – Alfredo Carballo Jr., Negros Occidental

A Filipino in a foreign land is a law-abiding person. Give a Filipino something to do, if it’s his expertise, he usually excels. He can easily adapt to any given environment, no matter how difficult. – Jose Fabello Jr., Misamis Oriental

Filipinos have the best survival instinct. Millions can’t find jobs at home, so they go all over the world, even in Iraq, to find work. – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

Filipinos are optimistic, resilient, and tough during hard times. We are forgiving. We have a good sense of humor. If not for these traits, we would have gone to the streets and staged revolts against officials and businessmen involved in countless graft and corruption anomalies. – C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City

We are an ingenious lot

We Filipinos are an ingenious lot. We are good at remedyo-Pinoy, making even the most unworthy scrap serviceable. It is this virtue that enables us to cope with the worst situations in life. – Mario Tejada, Ilocos Norte 

I think Filipinos are more intelligent and smarter than other people in the whole world. We just need to have a lot of self-discipline to show other countries how good we are. – Rommer Ryan Torres, Angeles City

Filipinos are hardworking

We excel in many positive aspects: in being hospitable, hardworking and resilient. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City

Filipinos excel in terms of enduring the hardship of life, loyalty, dedication and flexibility at work. – June Deoferio, Cavite City

We are hardworking. – Lydia Reyes, Bataan

We are industrious and skillful fast learners. Most importantly, we are a compassionate people. – James Gaw, Parañaque City

Being Filipino is one thing we can be proud of; Filipinos excel in everything. We are extremely talented. We are also polite. We know that we’re going through a crisis, but we’re still thinking positive and being masipag and matiyaga! – Crizel Fernandez, Baguio City

Optimistic and forgiving

We are “easy to forgive, easy to forget,” easy to manipulate, easygoing that even in serious and precarious situations, we tend to smile! – Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan

We have brave hearts to survive and we are always optimistic. We have a Herculean desire to succeed and a Napoleonic will to conquer. – J.V. Dionisio, Bulacan

We excel in tolerance and sacrifice for misdeeds done by our past and present leaders. – Digoy Coro, Batangas City

Singing and performing

Filipinos are known for many positive aspects, such as being the most hospitable people on earth. But, the one aspect where we excel most is in singing, whether solo or in a chorale group. Our singers have brought many honors for the country from competitions abroad. – I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City

Filipinos excel in singing. The majority are LALO (Lakas Loob) and AMM (Ayaw Magpasa ng Microphone) singers, tulad ko. – Rey Onate, Palayan City

Basically, Filipinos are endowed with remarkable talents and one of them is singing. We sing so well; pang-world class talaga. – Ella Arenas, Pangasinan

I think Filipinos excel in everything related to culture and the arts. Various Filipino talents are now globally recognized and awarded citations yearly. – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City

Filipinos excel practically in everything, be they sports, science, arts, music, etc. as long as there is proper training and motivation. The list of world-class Filipino achievers, past and present, is so long, with Pacquiao as the latest addition. Who’ll forget Paeng Nepomuceno, Efren “Bata” Reyes or Lea Salonga? - William Gonzaga, Marikina City

Emotional people

Pinoys are motivated by their emotions; maybe this is why there are so many good Pinoy singers and also numerous rumor-mongers. This could be regarded as a positive trait, if not for the important and pressing factors that require objectivity and discipline. – Mario Sunico, Metro Manila

We excel in the international job market

Filipinos in general excel in their loyalty and service to their employers. – Tony Gomez, Parañaque City

We excel in performing arts, sports (professional boxing) math and sciences, charity work, and as modern-day heroes, a.k.a. OFWs, who keep our economy afloat. – Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City

Whether he be a doctor, engineer, lawyer, nurse or even a lowly driver, the Filipino excels. This reputation serves him well in the international job market. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

I think it’s in the field of IT and computer science where Filipinos do excel and are at par with the world’s best. – Nap Cinco, Rizal

It is our courteousness and diligence. Besides we are still good in English. We can easily perform at par with the rest in the world. – Cris Rivera, Rizal

Glossing over the negatives

I can hardly think of anything; I hope others will. – Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City

Sorry to say, most Pinoys only see the negative side. Most of us don’t give so much attention to the bright side of life. – Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City

We excel as OFWs, but at we also excel in corruption, crab mentality and poverty. May papalag? – Gil Planas, Davao City

Filipinos excel in almost all positive aspects of human endeavors. If we are lagging behind our Asian neighbors, it’s because of graft and corruption, greed, crab mentality and politics. Filipinos also excel in these negative aspects. – Rodolfo Capili, Caloocan City

Pinoys are good followers, but not good leaders. Just look at the greed and corruption of political leaders and their subordinates. – Ed Alawi, Davao City

Imbibing the Western culture

It would be proficiency in English lang, the ability to imbibe the Western culture, and driving expertise. – Debbie Genato, Quezon City

Humility and utang na loob

Being meek and humble. – Ube Wenceslao, Imus, Cavite

Filipinos still recognize utang na loob, which can be destructive if politics comes into the picture. – T. Sanez, Cavite City

People are our best assets

We’re good at looking at problems as a challenge for finding solutions, which is the reason why we have inventors. Too bad the population explosion is viewed as a negative rather than a positive. People are always our best assets. – Ma. Victoria Marisfosque, Metro Manila

They say every country in the world has a Chinatown and that the Chinese are everywhere. But where the Chinese go, Filipinos go, too. But unlike them, we do not only cook, we also provide the world with doctors, nurses, engineers, factory workers, entertainers, dancers, waiters, programmers, teachers, maids – we’ve basically made human resource our No. 1 export. – Rico Fabello, Parañaque City

Only a few Filipinos give their best in the service of humanity while merely enjoying the pleasure in having the opportunity to serve. If only our Filipino inventors get support, they will multiply and make a difference in our present predicament. I cannot say that exporting manpower is a positive aspect. Although it is the one that keeps us floating, it also gives us problems and shame, on top of unbearable sorrows to many families, thanks to gullible domestic helpers, undocumented workers, drug couriers and prostitutes. It is just unfortunate that the likes of Tony Meloto or Lucrecia Kasilag are one in a million. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City

THE WAY I SEE IT

Religious leaders who aspire for the presidency must be reminded that Filipinos do not want a Khomeini in Malacañang. – Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal

That rule in basketball against taunting and trash talking should be discarded. It takes away the fun. Nobody gets hurt anyway. No harm, no foul. – Nito Aquino, Makati City

After the graft court found Erap guilty of plundering P4.1 billion, now he’s all over the country trying to sell himself as a graft crusader. – Ferdinand Rafer, Manila

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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