What makes you proud to be Filipino now?

These past months we have witnessed a series of negative events that rocked our country. It was news not only here but abroad as well. But Typhoon Yolanda came probably to remind us not to lose hope and to show the world that we Filipinos are a great, loving and strong people.

Watching how our fellowmen from the Visayas face the terrible devastation that hit their homes and killed their loved ones — how they picked up the broken pieces of their lives,  how they continued to live most especially for others in spite of all their pain, how they could still manage to smile and even help their neighbors — truly brought back that pride of what being a Filipino truly is. Seeing every Filipino ready to help each other is inspiring and enough to feel proud to be a Filipino.

Fernando Aracama, chef, Aracama

Beyond resilience, adaptability and having courage to face very difficult times, us Filipinos have shown that we are also most compassionate, selflessly eager and always ready to help anybody in need. This makes me proud to be Filipino.

Danielle Lyn I. Miras, student

I am proud to be a Filipino because of our wonderful culture, colorful heritage and our optimistic attitude towards life that, despite the calamities we’re facing right now, we Filipinos still get to put a smile on our faces.  

Quito Jose, chef and owner, Ninak & Brothers Burgers

I feel very proud to be a Filipino, more so during tough times such as what we are going through. I see us as a nation stepping up and doing what is necessary, to drive people to families from Villamor Airbase to different parts of the Philippines, no questions asked, to chefs contributing time, talent and treasure without any question, because damayan is a word that is very strong in every Filipino’s heart. In times of calamity and turmoil, we are resilient and optimistic! That’s why I am proud to be a Filipino.

Mae Paner a.k.a. Juana Change, TV ad director, political activist, video producer and actress

The spirit of volunteerism is what makes me proud to be Filipino at this time. I have not met a Filipino who has not made an effort to connect to ease the suffering of surviviors of Yolanda. Dahil sa nakita kong pagkakaisa at pakikiisa ng bawat Pilipino, babangon tayo sa kabila ng pagkukulang ng marami ng ating gobeyrno.

Tim Yap, TV host, editor, club owner, eventologist

The Filipino spirit makes  me proud to be Filipino. Time and again, we are put to a test through crisis and calamity, we pick up the pieces together and stand up as one. There’s an invisible force that makes the Filipino vulnerable yet invincible . We have so much to give. We laugh hard and we love even harder. Now more than ever is the time to be proud to be Pinoy!

Phoemela Baranda, actress, model

The strength and resilience of Filipinos is truly inspiring. The bayanihan is one Filipino spirit I’m proud of.

RJ Ledesma, Mercato Central co-founder, host, writer

Our sense of humor, our ability to bounce back and our unwavering faith in the Almighty.

Girlie Rodis, social media paparazzi, talent  manager, agent

I am proud to be Filipino because  we soldier through hard times with a sense of humor and just strong faith that we will overcome. The number of stories of ordinary people helping people is what gives me hope that we will get through this series of disasters that have plagued us in recent months.

Richie Lerma, adviser, Salcedo Auctions; director and chief curator, Ateneo Art Gallery

I am so proud of the way we have come together to aid those whose lives have been devastated by the recent typhoon.  Just last week, I witnessed firsthand how art auctions can become an important instrument for people to bid for the future, and lend a helping hand.

Rico M. Hizon, anchor, BBC World News

Despite the trauma and suffering, I experienced firsthand the resilience, the faith, the perseverance and the bayanihan spirit of the Filipino. Nagtulungan at nagkaisa ang sambayanag Pilipino. The Filipino spirit is typhoon-proof, and we will rise from the rubble of destruction. This is what makes me proud to be a Filipino.

Arnold Vegafria, talent manager

I am proud to be a Filipino because of our inherent trait of wanting to reach out and help our fellowmen whose lives were devastated by the supertyphoon. In these trying times, we have shown the whole world our compassion, resilience and our tenacity to survive.