Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Where in the world can you see people smiling amidst burning houses or flooded homes? We Filipinos can smile at everything.
Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: We are always helpful towards others in times of crisis, as clearly shown during the height of last year’s calamities.
Filipino hospitality
Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: The one unique positive trait of Filipinos is hospitality always entertaining even unexpected guests and offering their best to the extent of sacrificing their next meal. There are many more, but those are also true of people in other lands.
Shiella Criz Lacsina, Gapan City: We Filipinos are known for our hospitality worldwide and our politeness. We use po and opo and follow the tradition of mano with elders to show our respect.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: Our being hospitable is the foremost positive trait of Pinoys. We are also resilient in facing life’s miseries.
Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: The most notable positive traits of Pinoys would definitely be generosity and hospitality, which might be considered rare among all races in the world.
Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: When I was a kid, the first lesson I got from my grade school teacher was about one of the positive traits of Filipinos that of being hospitable. This impression has lingered in my mind and has been affirmed by my own personal observations. During special occasions, people spend their last centavo to the point of borrowing money not only to feed invited as well as uninvited guests, but also to give them something to take home. I now discovered that this positive trait is subject to abuse. Even if you give all that you have, it will never be enough. If you are kind, people will accuse you of having selfish, ulterior motives.
Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Filipinos easily forgive and forget. We are hospitable to the extent that we pawn our valuables just to please our visitors.
Healthy attitude towards adversity
Dennis Acop, Benguet: We have a healthy attitude towards adversity. And we believe in God. Having associated with the rank and file in the military and the poor, I am proud of the fact that many Filipinos let their actions speak for themselves. Many soldiers, policemen, laborers, farmers, and businessmen, among others, whom I know are lousy with words and do not talk much but you should see the fruits of their labor! Still, many Pinoys do not fear the challenges that life has to offer, perhaps because we have become accustomed to living with poverty and social injustice. In contrast and I have personally seen this while living in the States many people in advanced societies get rattled easily by what would be mundane issues to Pinoys, who are so used to life-and-death scenarios back home. Finally, most Pinoys are God-fearing and this profound belief in something greater circumstances enable them to be resilient in the face of even the most threatening problems be it poverty, natural disaster, injustice, abuse, or death. Pinoys are the 12th most numerous people in the world and the preceding traits discussed are among the most positive traits, allowing Filipinos to endure and survive anywhere they are.
Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Pinoys are known all over the world as low-profile, peace-loving individuals. We are also known as very religious people who can still smile even during adversity. Filipinos can easily cope with all kinds of problems that may arise. We are also very forgiving and, if I may say so, the friendliest people on earth.
Rose Leobrera, Manila: Pinoys never lose faith. After any storm, he will pick up the pieces and readily start life anew. Our motto in life is to never lose hope. Yes, as long as there is life, may pag-asa. We also call this pananalig. We have a very strong faith in the Lord, who is the very reason why after every downfall, we firmly stand up again because we know that he will help and provide us. Wika nga, nasa tao ang gawa, nasa Diyos ang awa. We are also very industrious. We would not have plenty of street vendors or small business owners if this weren’t true. We are very hospitable, too. Visit a Pinoy relative and you will usually be accorded VIP treatment.
Many positive traits
Rey Onate, Palayan City: Hospitable, masayahin, mapagmalasakit, matiisin at mapagbigay.
Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: In the olden times, Pinoys were God-fearing, friendly, faithful, and loyal to family and the institution. People were honest, sincere, committed, cooperative, and helpful to those in need, friends and strangers alike. People were also responsible and reliable in their duties and obligations, patient about and more understanding of the weaknesses and shortcomings of others, and many more. Sad to say, there only a few of such traits still exist nowadays.
Jeffrey Villar, Capiz: Matulungin, mapagkumbaba, masayahin, magalang at mapagmahal sa bayan!
Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Oh, we have many positive traits. Even some of the bad traits we sometimes lament having are actually good, if practiced correctly and in moderation. The “kumpadre system”, which is already ingrained in us, for example, is good, but when someone in authority frees a known felon from prison, it becomes bad. The No. 1 Filipino positive trait, I believe, is our being the most friendly race of mankind and it is shown in the way we treat our visitors, especially foreigners. We even give our master bedroom to a guest. Our next most positive trait is elicited in times of crisis, when we surmount all difficulties during crises because we are persevering and we never say die!
Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: We have lots of positive traits. It’s just that the negative ones are those that are highlighted that’s why we are looked down upon. We are, to a fault, a forgiving lot. We are optimistic, honest, helpful and generous. We respect our elders, believe in the Almighty God and importantly we respect humanity and nature.
Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: Filipinos are generally intelligent, smart, hardworking, religious, cheerful, courageous, patient, warm and hospitable.
Our fear of God
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Ang Pinoy ay magalang, may takot sa Diyos at mapagmahal. All other traits stem from these.
Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: Optimism and relying on God’s help make us Pinoys strong in times of crisis of whatever sort.
Mark Richard Centeno, Cabanatuan City: They say we are hospitable, always smiling, and we are religious.
We’re resourceful and creative
Faith Ann Magno, Nueva Ecija: Even if we have a lot of problems, we are still able to smile and laugh. Filipinos are also resourceful and creative, lovable and have close family ties.
We are a happy people
Abelardo Abilay, Laguna: The Pinoy race is unique. Foreigners know us to be hardworking, flexible, hospitable, helpful, friendly, and patient. We are family-oriented. We like festivities and holidays. We love eating during fiestas and reunions. Most of us are still conservative. Nowadays, we are getting more and more nationalistic. You can see it on our t-shirts.
Felix Ramento, USA: Pinoys are, in the following order, cheerful, hardworking, flexible and neat, which is why we easily assimilate into any society in the world.
Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: We have lots of positive traits: We are resilient, humble, gregarious, friendly, and masayahin in facing the daily rigors of life.
Elsa Mendoza, Quezon City: Generally, we have been blessed with a happy attitude coupled with a large dose of sense of humor. Amidst strife and poverty, we can laugh, even at ourselves. That’s what makes us resilient as a people. We may be down one moment, but up again the next. It is not easy to put us down. We also have a compassionate heart we know how to love care for people and we are always ready to lend a helping hand. This compassionate nature shows in the way a Pinoy helps his family when necessary, like sending siblings to school after he has had the good luck of having a good paying job or helping out relatives who are not so well-off. Then there are the everyday heroes who care for the underprivileged, like Efren Peñaflorida and his friends, whose main desire is to give free education to poor children in the streets whose parents cannot afford regular schools. We are very creative. It’s a pleasant revelation to watch a morning TV program showing various astounding expressions of creativity in each presentation from regular Pinoys. We are also talented in the realm of music. We have performers known not only locally but also internationally. These are just a few traits we have which joyfully make me proud to be Pinoy!
We are religious
Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Two stand out: Religiosity and our hedonistic approach to life. But these traits need to be purified and balanced.
Apple Grace Santos, Bulacan: Filipinos are hospitable and religious. We have strong family ties and a deep cultural background.
Jim Veneracion, Naga City: The only positive trait of the Filipino that I can think of is religiosity or spirituality. I don’t have to say more.
Resiliency
Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: We are a resilient people. We don’t easily lose hope despite tragedies that come our way. Kapag nadadapa, madaling nakakabangon. We are also diligent and dedicated to our work and these are the traits that most OFWs in practically every corner of the globe have in common.
Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Resiliency. The Filipino character is similar to the bamboo because of our flexibility, endurance, and harmony with nature. The Filipino nation goes along with the forces of nature and politics. It copes with “fate” rather than fights against it.
C.B. Manalastas, Manila: The incomparable Pinoy’s resilency to various crises, his ability to easily forget and forgive, and his being friendly at masayahin.
Patriotism and love of family
Cris Rivera, Rizal: We have tightly-knit family ties.
Joel Caluag, Bulacan: We have close family ties; Pinoys are resilient to problems and hardships. We can just laugh at our problems and frustrations.
Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: The average normal native-born Filipino who is not affected by foreign/alien beliefs, culture and education is respectful and grateful. Like Bonifacio and Mabini, the Filipino is patriotic and faithful to his family.
Ruel Bautista, Laguna: I’m not sure if retracing the family tree and finding long-lost relatives is a positive trait but we are very good at it.
Patience and tolerance
Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Pinoys are forgiving, religious, patient, hopeful and understanding. Sadly, we are slowly deteriorating as far as our moral values are concerned.
Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Patience is the most positive trait of Pinoys. Patience in work, children’s misdeeds, corrupt leaders, and in almost anything else. Isinasa-Diyos na lamang.
Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Pinoys are resilient and tolerant, sometimes to the point of being used and abused.
Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Likas na matiisin ang mga Pilipino.
Honesty and sincerity
Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Being honest, trustworthy and sincere are some of the positive traits of Pinoys. These, sadly, we seldom see in our government officials.
‘Utang na loob’
Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Gratitude. We always remember those who helped us, knowing that someday, we will be able to reciprocate. We call it utang na loob. My guru said, “Give thanks to God for all your misfortunes; it is during the times when you called out for help that He always responded.” Thank God for calamities. When floods hit our place, my neighbor said, “Hay salamat, lalago ang mga halaman ko.” We were cheerful even when our co-LERAP rider died. We reminisced his being kalog; no one cried at his wake. We are forgiving. Look at FM and Erap after what they did to us, bida pa rin sila.
Tino Abella, Masbate: Maybe pagtanaw ng utang na loob to the extent of jeopardizing the life of the enemy just to satisfy his benefactor.
Bayanihan spirit
Louella Brown, Baguio City: Some of the positive traits of Pinoys are: the bayanihan spirit, patience, respectfulness, hospitality, and passion for education.
Arvin Padual, Quezon City: Most Pinoys are naturally helpful. That’s why in the event of tragedies and other calamities, they disregard their status in life.
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Positive traits still abound, like the bayanihan spirit, hospitality, generosity, to name a few.
Ed Alawi, Davao City: The bayanihan spirit is still there, as proven during Ondoy’s and Pepeng’s onslaught, but hospitality is out. Pinoys are now materialistic due to corruption.
William Gonzaga, Marikina City: For this Inbox texter, the unique Filipino bayanihan spirit and exceptionally close family ties have remained unequaled anywhere in the world. The recent onslaught of Ondoy and Pepeng that wrought widespread havoc in many cities and municipalities in our country showed exemplary concern from countless of Filipinos all over the world who delivered all possible assistance, financial and otherwise, to their afflicted compatriots. Certainly, such outstanding Filipino traits will prove their worth in the ages to come.
The will to survive
Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: We are patient, industrious, and, most of all, we have the will to survive.
Shiella Criz Lacsina, Gapan City: Filipinos are hardworking. We are a multi-tasking people, and we work hard to survive.
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