Reasons Why Filipinos Are Worth Dying

"The Filipino is worth dying for"
-Ninoy Aquino

          This is a simple yet powerful statement, attributed to Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino, Jr. It is one of the most popular quotes in Philippine . It is quoted by great statesmen in their speeches, it is reprinted on thousads of t-shirts – but in truth, Ninoy never said this exact words. It was a summary of Ninoy's speech which he delivered before the Asia Society on August 4, 1980 in New York City.

          A lot of people our own have risked their lives and died for the welfare and freedom of our country. Just like many of our Filipino Heroes, like Jose Rizal, our National Hero who used pen and paper or Andres Bonifacio, "Ama ng Himagsikan" who used arms and weapons to fight for our country's freedom. Like what Ninoy also said "it is better to die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life", but what made them choose to fight for our country's freedom in exchange for their lives? Here are some reasons on what makes Filipinos worth dying for:

          Filipinos are very known to be  hospitable. They are very caring when it comes to visitors, they usually throw a party or a festival for visitors especially for foreigners to show one's cultures and traditions, but soon it became one of their customs or habits to be hospitable to visitors. Filipinos are also very loving, especially to their families. This can be seen by the fact that most Filipino families are extended family, wherein most children, after getting married are still living with their parents or letting their grandparents live with them or sometimes they just live very close to other family members. That is why Family ties are greatly bonded to each other in the Philippines.

          Filipinos are also known to be very respectful. One of the customs that are very famous to Filipinos is by saying "po" and "opo" to someone who's older to show respect. They also show respect by addressing "Kuya" for brothers, "Ate" for sisters, and many more like "Manong", "Manang","Lolo". They show respect by blessing to elderly or known as "mano po", wherein they held the elders hand put it on their forehead as a sign of respect and blessing.



          One of the Best asset and characteristics of Filipino is that they are very joyful and has a sense of humor. They like to smile and laugh in small little things or at a corny joke or sometimes for no reasons at all. It is like it just takes a bit of nudging and poking our funny bones to make us laugh. Filipinos are also optimistic and always thinks positive, even though how much situations get worse, they never lose hope that they are gonna find a way to overcome those trials and to solve the problem. That is why Filipinos like to laugh when they are happy or smile when they are sad, because they are positive thinkers, but when it comes to bravery and strength, never hesitate to think that they are not willing to risk lives to fight for what's right.

But after all this years, after so many things that happened so far. The Question is . . . .