"I love the Philippines."

Ich liebe den Philippinen.
(German: “I love the Philippines.”)

An hour before the midnight of January 4, 1989, I was born in Gov. Teofilo Sison Memorial Provincial Hospital (now Ilocos Regional Hospital) in Dagupan, Pangasinan. By virtue of my birthplace, I was a Filipina. My mother is a Pangasinense and my father, a Baguio boy. Again, by virtue of my parents' nationality, I was 100% Filipina. As far as I know, the second, third, and fourth generations before my parents were pure Filipinos. I speak Filipino fluently and rather well, and I understand and speak quite good Pangasinense and a little Ilocano, as well.

During the academic year 2005-2006, I started attending college at the Ateneo. My course? European Studies.

It may seem odd, even surprising, for someone who is as pure as a Filipino can be, to decide getting a tertiary education majoring in a foreign-oriented course. Indeed, many relatives, acquaintances, and friends have been curious about my choice of Major. Often, I answer them the shortest sentence I can give: I love Europe.

Not to say, I haven't been to Europe. In fact, in my now-17 years of life, I haven't gone out of the Philippines. See, that's how nationalistic my family is--my parents would rather go to monotonous provinces every year than even get a glimpse of what's beyond the Pearl of the East. I, however, want so much to get out of the country. And the first place I hope to go to is definitely Europe.

I could not remember when I first started my passion with foreign ideas, particularly of European ones. What I do remember is that since my childhood, I have been a bookworm, and back to my grade school years, I probably have read twice the number of books than average students of my age did. It is my love of books that has lead me to more knowledge, to greater wisdom, and to deeper appreciation of what's beyond. I particularly enjoyed books that gave me a glimpse of the life in other countries--in places I haven't set foot into. I was astounded by how different other nations' cultures are compared to that which I have grown to. I was especially amazed by how different foreigners looked: how they could have blonde or red or gray or auburn hair, or how their eyes may be blue, green, orange, and other shades I could only visualize. Then there are also the freckles and the dozens of moles in their faces and all over their skin... those just make me smile.

When I watch foreign movies, I am often after the learning, with entertainment being second. I watch movies often to learn about foreign life, since movies are stories that are made by people and based from people's lives and dreams. They reflected to me the truth, what's happening and what really are in other parts of the world. The first aspect I pay attention to, more than the plot, the setting, or the conflict, are the characters themselves. By observing the characters’ faces, I imagine the classes of people in their countries. By listening to their conversations, I perceive how foreign people deal with one another. By analyzing their actions, I get ideas about the things they value, their innate qualities, and their capabilities and shortcomings compared to ours as Filipinos.

During my sixth grade in high school, I started reading the Harry Potter series--and I liked the British culture so much that it is now the first country in the whole world that I would want to go to. In my high school days, I started reading Shakespeare, Chaucer, and other European writers and poets. During my free times, I was in the library reading dictionaries of foreign languages, atlases of different nations, and biographies of foreign personalities. I got much curiosity about monarchy, which is widespread in Europe. I am proud that I have read seven or eight entire books dedicated to Princess Diana's life, for she has really intrigued me. I dreamt of going to Europe, specifically to U.K., not just for the experience but perhaps, to get married to a smart, faithful, tall, gorgeous, tanned, blonde, and blue-eyed millionaire (I dream one exists) and settle there.

Up to now, whenever I am out, my head turns to stare at the tall, blonde, and blue-eyed foreigners (often Europeans) who are visiting the country. Often I have no time to stop and make friends to them, so I hope the other Filipinos around will treat them well. I do not have to have much doubt or worries about that; we Filipinos are natural guest keepers. We are known globally for being hospitable--and in other aspects, as well. When I see foreign tourists, I pray that they will see the beauty and enjoy here in my country. When they don't seem to be having a good time, I worry and think that they probably didn't like something about my country.

Besides that I no longer can change the fact that I am a pure Filipina, I do not think I'd want to be naturalized. It's true that it may not be my choice to be a Filipino citizen, yet I'd want to remain one. Over time, I have seen the country, understood its history, submerged in its culture, known its people, and experienced the highs and lows of being a Filipino, and I accept all of them.

I may have taken the course European Studies, and I may as soon as I graduate leave for Europe, yet I will remain a Filipina. I am proud to be a Filipino citizen. I am proud of my country's history, of Rizal, of Katipunan, of EDSA. I am proud of the Filipinos' hospitality, their laughter, their Catholic devotion, their respect for the elderly, even their superstitions. I am proud of how our OFWs (with my dad being one and me being another in a few years) sacrifice for their love, of their faith, of their perseverance. I am proud of their dreams, and their generosity, and their cooperation. I love sinangag, mangga, sapin-sapin, puto, taho, balot, and isaw. I may learn German, French, Italian, Spanish, and others... but I will never forget my own language. I may admire Shakespeare, Rowling, and Piercy, but I will still read Pugad Baboy.

You see, even if I want to leave the country, I will always return for the good. I may want to travel the world over and immerse in various cultures, but I will never forget mine. I may have taken the course European Studies, and I hope I will reach my dreams someday, but somehow, when I have saved much money in U.K., I will return and share it in the Philippines. Whatever knowledge I discover and learn outside the country, I will return and use for my own Philippines. The type of person I'll become will be accounted to my Filipino roots. The number of brain drains and culture shocks I may face will make me a stronger person and appreciate where I come from even more. Because no matter how plain the average Filipinos' brown hair, brown skin, and brown eyes may be, I still love Filipinos. And I am still a Filipina.