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Pinoy 9Gaggers, Y U NO proud of your people?
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January 16th, 2012Culture, Current events, Entertainment: TV, Movies, Music etc..., Technology
Dear friends, I am worried. It seems to me that a lot of our youth are ashamed to be Filipinos. They feel that saying things like “Proud to be Pinoy” or “It’s more fun in the Philippines” is a shameful thing to do, something that should be abhorred and ultimately stopped.
HERE’S THE STORY…
Last week I was browsing 9Gag -it’s a popular website that’s filled with funny mini-comic strips and graphic artworks submitted by its followers- and saw this clever gag that relates our very own Taal Volcano to Inception‘s story of a dream within a dream…
I found it so amazing that I even shared it on my Facebook wall with the statement “Islands. More fun in the Philippines!
”, because I’m proud that our country has an amazing natural wonder like that, and of course, to promote the new Department of Tourism tagline of It’s More Fun in the Philippines. Then I decided to click on the image and check out what other 9Gaggers had to say about the graphic art. I wasn’t expecting the things I saw there.
There were tons of comments from young Filipinos expressing their disgust in other Pinoys who were posting proud to be Pinoy-related comments. Some were even apologizing to the other (foreign) audience of the website for the apparently improper and shameful behavior of their kababayans (countrymen) who were posting pride-related messagess.
Here are some of the posts that really got my blood running…
I was so shocked by the comments I saw and the number of likes that those comments got. What’s wrong with these kids? I couldn’t fathom their (insert hateful words here)! So, I blurted out my anger in these not-so-kind words in a comment:
Shame on you Pinoys who feel like they have to be ashamed of feeling proud for their country. You guys are insecure morons who want to feel cool. There is NOTHING wrong with being proud of your race and heritage. What is up with you people? Even if every single Filipino became obsessed with the country, that will be GREAT not only for tourism but national pride as well. Shame on you guys. Effin’ hipsters. Go migrate to somewhere else if you don’t want to be proud of where you came from. We don’t need you here anyway. Kthnxbye. #ican’tbelieveyoueguys
One commenter even attempted to battle me in the thread and well, let’s just say that he was a waste of time. To him though, I said:
Nobody’s shoving Pinoy pride into anyone. Nobody’s saying that we are better than anybody else. It only becomes “wrong” if you elevate yourself above all other cultures/races/countries and look down on others. However, if it’s just you saying that you are proud to be Pinoy or you love the Philippines, there is NOTHING wrong with that. Don’t call it overrated. It’s shouldn’t be a passing trend but something ingrained into our heads, DNA and everyday actions.
AND NOW FOR THE BLOW BY BLOW:
- Saying that you are proud of where you came from is NOT A BAD THING. Some of the very intelligent trolls in the threads argued that pride has to come from one’s personal achievements. If that is so, then is it also wrong for you to be proud of your parents, brothers or sisters? Is it also wrong to be proud of your alma mater and so on? NO. According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary pride can mean “delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship <parental pride>”. So there’s one arguement down the drain.
- Misguided pride? Misplaced Pride? When has the internet not been a good place to show your pride for your motherland? The internet provides some of the best avenues for communication. If you ask me, the internet is the BEST place to tell the world about how much you love the Philippines. If Pinoy pride goes viral, in what universe is that a bad thing?
- Shoving it into other people’s faces? I don’t see how saying “It’s more fun in the Philippines” equates to shoving it into someone’s face. As I’ve mentioned earlier, it only becomes bad if you belittle others or if you blatantly put down or mock other countries/people. Does Amazing Thailand or Malaysia Truly Asia mean that they too are being obnoxious braggarts?
- Humility. Expressing your support for a natural wonder in your country does not mean that you’re being boastful. If we don’t spread word about how awesome our country is, who will? Will we just hope and pray for foreigners to say that? Should we abolish all promotional projects of the DOT now?
- How dare they declare that they’re Filipino? If it were only possible, I would strip these (insert more hateful words here) of their citizenship. You cannot say that you’re proud of your country and then tell your countrymen to zip their mouths instead of shouting it out loud. Proclaiming that they are Filipino as well (while bashing their brethren) is way more shameful than whatever it is they are arguing about. Their comments show the other foreign 9Gaggers that there is a terrible discord amongst Filipinos and that we are ashamed of who we are.
BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID…
9Gag is a very popular site among college and highschool students in the Philippines. (Okay, there are yuppies too.
) But if the number of haters on this post is any indication of how our youth feels about our country, I think that we are in big, BIG trouble.How will we produce great leaders if the future of our country (insert Dr. Jose Rizal quote here) is filled with 0% pride for our country, our people, our culture, our heritage?
What will become of the Philippines once these kids grow up?
I personally think that these trolls should be the ones to (in their own words) STFU.
*Islandception gag and screenshot of comments were from www.9Gag.com. It is not my purpose to hurt anyone, but rather, to spread awareness about this alarming issue and to express my own personal views about it.
No related posts.
Tags: 2012, 9Gag, Filipino 9Gaggers, Filipino pride, Islandception on 9Gag, It's more fun in the Philippines slogan, Philippine Tourism, pinoy pride, Pinoys on 9Gag, the Filipino youth these days
34 responses to “Pinoy 9Gaggers, Y U NO proud of your people?” 
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One word for Internet trolls: PA-COOL.
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I think just because of the big number of Filipino readers (in simple terms: internet users) kaya tayo napapansin. More internet users = more Filipino pride comments = more attention. It doesn’t mean that all we do is comment how we are proud to be Filipinos. What we don’t know is that somewhere, people are also posting “(insert country here) pride” as well.
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Ariane January 16th, 2012 at 12:07
Good point, Clur. We visit the same sites. Watch the same shows. Read the same feeds (FB and Twitter) that’s why they think there’s too much of the promotions. But in truth, the internet is SOOOO HUGE. It’s just proof of how shallow and narrow-minded these people are.
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Crazy, crazy kids. The Philippines’ future is doomed if these kids get to hold seats in the government.
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Ariane January 16th, 2012 at 12:07
I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of them will migrate to other countries someday. But then again, I’m totally fine with that. We don’t need them.
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Joelle Guiao January 16th, 2012 at 20:28
why are you hating on us anyways? plus you ask us to leave the country?
haha that’s not the right way to act..
anyways, it doesn’t matter, i’m one of the people you wished that migrated. lol i migrated 6 months ago. but i still love the philippines more than anything else in the world
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Joseph Anthony Agustin January 16th, 2012 at 17:53
Hi! And yes, you are correct, I am the one who has the comment on apologizing to the foreigners who visited 9gag.
I am not saying that I am not proud to be a Filipino. I AM PROUD. I don’t even want to work on another country. But what I’m trying to say is don’t brag! other foreigners, they land posts on the hotpage, do they brag? no. Just be humble.
To the once who wrote this article. Are you always at 9gag? What I am trying to express in there is that DON’T BRAG ABOUT IT! Yes you can be proud but don’t brag about it all the time.
Everytime there is a post that reaches the hotpage, someone will say “it’s fun here in the Philippines” “Only in the Philippines” Once is enough yes but don’t do it often because it’s annoying.
As I said, BE PROUD, BUT DON’T BRAG.
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Ariane January 16th, 2012 at 18:22
Hi Joseph,
First of all, thank you for your response. I greatly appreciate it. I hope you don’t mind that your comment was indicated here. (Should you wish for me to take it out, I will do so gladly. Just to be fair).
Again, just to make it clear, I don’t mean to fight with anybody. I’m just really really shocked about this topic which I find very close to my heart.
Okay, with that said, I would love for you to defend your side on how saying things like “it’s fun here in the Philippines” or “proud to be Pinoy” is considered bragging. You said once is enough, why is that so? If for example I love my parent, should I say it only once? If I am proud of my cousin, can I not say it more than once? Also, are the ones who express their national pride on 9gag, the same ones who say it over and over again? Can you monitor each and every one of them? If it just so happens that a lot of people are saying the same thing, I don’t think you can penalize them for that. It’s a collective emotion, which is totally great for PATRIOTISM and NATIONAL PRIDE.
Oh, and yes, I do frequent 9Gag (so does my younger brother and a lot of my friends) just to get a quick fix on laughs, although I don’t submit posts or really follow people there.
Again, thank you for your thoughts. I would love to hear more from you.
Sincerely,
Ariane-
Joseph Anthony Agustin January 16th, 2012 at 19:47
Hello Ariane,
With regards to your example, “If for example I love my parent, should I say it only once? If I am proud of my cousin, can I not say it more than once?”
Will you be walking up in front of a stranger and say “Hey, I love my parents, I’m proud of my cousin.” and to add more annoyance, will you be saying that to every person that you come across?
That’s how I see it.
Okay, let’s put it that way, another filipino posted it “it’s more fun in the Philippines” will you be repeating that comment again? that’s why the like button is invented. Simple as that.If you’re proud to be a Filipino, do something about the country not just go around the internet and post that you love it.
With respect,
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Ariane January 17th, 2012 at 02:08
Hey again Joseph,
1. I will only say things (regardless of topic) if it relates to the conversation. If it is totally applicable to the situation (like with the amazing Taal Volcano in this case), I don’t see why I shouldn’t express my thoughts or feelings.
2. For my comment on the thread, I put up my thoughts first before I did some back reading. Which of course is based on impulse. I think it is the same for the other people. As I’ve said earlier, if it’s a collective opinion that just happens to be so, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. It wasn’t contrived. It’s not a conspiracy.
3. I AM PROUD to be Filipino, which I why I did something, and actually wrote this blog post.
And don’t worry, I’m a working citizen that contributes to the country. LOL. 4. How about you, in your own ways, how are you contributing to the country? Just curious.
Again, thank you for your commenting!
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Ok question here is, what exactly are you proud of being a Filipino?
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Ariane January 17th, 2012 at 02:01
A lot of things.
But my pride is not the one in question here. HeheThanks for commenting, btw!
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Joelle Guiao January 16th, 2012 at 20:23
I want to sayyyyyy, i’m sorry for this.
I never knew it would turn out to be such a big deal.First of all, i’m terribly sorry if i offended any of the filipinos or anyone at all. I did say “no offense” on my comment, it’s because I really didn’t want anyone to feel offended by it.
just so everyone knows, I LOVE THE PHILIPPINES and I AM REALLY PROUD to be a filipina.I just said that it was getting annoying. I never said i wasn’t proud, i never said anything near that anyways. and it was just a comment, i just wanted to express my opinions to other filipinos and people from the other countries. You yourself expressed what you wanted to say through this blog. and it seems as if you strongly dislike us for this. I don’t even hate any filipino.. lol
We all know it’s okay to be proud of our own country, but the thing is– we’re too proud. We shouldn’t be bragging on each post about the philippines, because sooner or later it’s going to get pretty annoying. We could have just kept it to ourselves. I hope you understand me.
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Ariane January 17th, 2012 at 02:17
Hi Joelle,
Don’t worry it’s not just about your comment. It was just alarming that so many of you shared the same sentiments. I’m also sorry if I started too harsh on my original comment (on 9gag) and for the “get out of the country” bits. I’m just really passionate about the issue. If your family’s choice was to migrate somewhere else, that is a decision entirely your own.
However, what good would keeping it to ourselves do? If we all believe that our country is beautiful and our people awesome, why should we hide it? As long as we aren’t stepping on anybody, why should saying “Proud to be Pinoy” hurt anybody?
I strongly disagree with the negativity of the rest of the posters in the pic, but I respect your opinion. We are all entitled to that. I’m glad that somehow you still love our country.
Thank you for sharing your side on the topic.
Sincerely,
Ariane
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Sheila Lu January 16th, 2012 at 22:34
Wow, apparently, being proud of your own country is something to be ashamed of AND on top of that something that needs to be apologized for, especially to foreigners… because apparently it’s annoying.
Well, you know what’s annoying? It’s a lot of Filipinos commenting and posting all over the internet how they feel so ashamed of their country, and how we’re all corrupt and all that bullshit. You know what? Maybe you guys should be the one to stfu. Because if you don’t think that spreading our pride for our country through the internet is helping in any way, then I can friggin’ say the same thing about all you haters who do nothing but complain about this country.
All you hipster Filipinos are freakin’ worse than the Jejemons. AND THAT IS SAYING A LOT.
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to be nationalistic it must not be like that. just think what other Filipinos on abroad. when they see a Filipino the first thing on their minds are drug pushers, prostitutes… well that’s reality and it hurts
our image on other countries is not good honestly and that’s reality we are popular of what they saw from us not the achievements that we got. as a Filipino i will not to brag that “im a proud to be a Filipino”
that’s why there is a lot of shows and some ‘paninira’ of other about us and you must know that because you are a active netizen too hopefully.
well maybe i suggest that we must change ourselves in order to change our community. i can say that Im a Filipino but not yet proud. We must do something to be proud of and we must work for it
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Ariane January 17th, 2012 at 02:20
Hi Leon,
It’s sad that you feel that way. Although I do agree with your point that we really have to improve ourselves and our country. Let us all work towards that!
Thank you for your comment.
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Joseph Anthony Agustin January 17th, 2012 at 13:56
Hi Ariane,
Good question! What do I do for my country? I obey traffic rules, I pay my all time high taxes without even complaining, I don’t just throw trashes. Not even a single gum wrapper or a piece of paper I have thrown improperly. In addition, I pick up trash from sidewalks and such and throw them to trash bin or proper waste area. Simple, but atleast, I’m doing my part for my country. I also had a chance to work abroad, did I took the opportunity? No.
I’m still young, 20 years old to be exact and I think I still have a long time to practice more things for the benefit of my country.Bottom line is, be proud of your country but don’t brag about it. It’s like carrying your own chair. If it’s fun here in the Philippines, don’t boast about it! Let the foreigners tell that it’s really fun here in the Philippines. Not us telling the same thing over and over again.
You have my full Name Ariane, search me on facebook, add me.
It might be nice to grab some coffee and have a little chit-chat with you some other time.Cheers
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hey ariane napanod mo na ba to? naiinis ako sa ka-kitiran ng utak ng taong gumawa nito. enjoy watching!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvF1VVDuySo-
Ariane January 17th, 2012 at 21:24
Hey Malia,
Ang masasabi ko lang dyan ay… hindi matutuwa si Sir Groyon sa video na ito. Hehe.
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Naintriga ako sa comments nila na sinabi mo sa Tumblr. I just want to say this:
Bragging is talking about something that isn’t true about yourself. For example: “Shet, ang galing kong graphic artist!” pero ang alam ko lang gawin e i-rotate ang pictures ko, yan ang bragging. Pero kung yung sinasabi mo e totoo…example, “Ang mga Filipinos ay hospitable kaya proud ako maging Pinoy” e wala namang bragging jan. You’re just stating a fact about your people and yourself and saying that in a public site doesn’t mean you’re shoving it down people’s throats.
Yun lang. Baka lang di nila naiintindihan ang true concept ng BRAGGING.
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Hi Yani
Can I just say that this post is really interesting?
Ate Jae
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Ariane February 29th, 2012 at 17:42
Thanks Ate Jae!
I really felt the need to express my opinions kasi. Haha.
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BelowInfinity March 4th, 2012 at 19:17
Gusto ko lang sabihin to sa author ng article na ito.
Mayroon ka bang nakitang americano na nagsabi kay Mark Zuckerburg na “Proud to be American!”?
Mayroon ka bang nakitang Tsino na nagsabi kay Jackie Chan na “Proud to be Chinese!”?
Wala diba? Kasi pwede naman na sabihin ito sa mahinahong paraan.
Sana naman na maintindihan mo.
Sincerly
-BelowInfinity, a 9GAGGER, a Redditor, a /b/tard.
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Ariane March 7th, 2012 at 20:54
Kumusta BelowInfinity,
Hindi ko maintindihan ang una mong mga punto. At sa palagay ko naman ay mahinahon na paraan ang pag-tatayp ng simpleng “proud to be Pinoy” sa isang 9Gag comment.
Ngunit, sa kabila nito, maraming salamat sa iyong pagdalaw sa aking blog. Nirerespeto ko ang iyong mga opinyon.
Lubos na gumagalang,
Ariane
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I just realized noh, maybe it’s our ‘thing’ as Filipinos to be proud. E sa hindi nila thing magsabi ng I’m proud to be _____. Kung walang Amerikano o Chinese na nagsasabing proud sila maging Amerikano o Chinese, I think it’s because you can really SEE that they’re proud.
E feeling ko sa’tin, SAYING it somehow makes other Pinoy SEE how proud some of us are. And MAYBE, just MAYBE, ma-internalize ng lahat ng Pinoy ‘to just by saying it. Kasi hindi naman nakikita sa lahat ng tao na proud sila diba. For me, it’s okay to say it out loud over and over again, and I’m hoping for that time when you can see that everyone is indeed proud to be Pinoy dahil tumatak na ito sa isip at puso nila. Just saying.
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Ariane March 16th, 2012 at 23:27
Thanks for that Clarence.
That’s a very good point. I also hope that by always expressing it, eventually everybody’s actions shift in such a way that we can really make the Philippines a better place/ the Filipinos a better people. Para bang, ma-THE SECRET natin ang more good things to be proud of.
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For me, seeing comments like “I am proud to be pinoy” is better than seeing comments like “Don’t brag..oh btw, i’m pinoy too.”
Parang..Pinoy ka, tapos sasawayin mo ung iba kasi proud sila sa kinalakahan nila? Bakit? Para saan? So it’s annoying to you.. eh ano ngayon? lalo mo lang pinapababa yung tingin ng ibang lahi sa mga Pinoy..Magiging katatawanan lalo sa kanila..kasi mga magkakalahi, hindi magkasundo.. buti sana kung soooobrang below the belt yung comment..
When what you feel is towards positivity.. shout it to the world.. pero kung negative rin lang..just keep it to yourself.. yes, everyone is entitled to have their own opinion.. but you have to be very responsible.. especially when you know that the message will be shown to everyone..
Peace!
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I’m not ashamed of being Filipino, but at the same time, I don’t feel the need to yell out ‘Pinoy Pride’ whenever Pacquiao wins a match or whenever a person (who just happens to be Filipino or part-Filipino) receives some sort of recognition. Think about it. When Pacquiao wins, that’s his win and not the collective success of Filipinos everywhere. Why should I be proud of something I didn’t do myself?
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Ariane April 3rd, 2012 at 18:12
Hi there! Kindly refer to my first bullet point in the Blow by Blow section of this post.
Thank you for commenting!
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Alexis January 16th, 2012 at 02:55