5/2/2017 LearningFragments:ColonialMentality:AFilipinoHeritage?

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ColonialMentality:AFilipinoHeritage?
Thegoalistowaltzintothe
by:MarisCayE.Gabornes unknownanddeclareyourselfworthy
andcapableofbeingthere.Tolive
Tangkilikinangsaralingatin,(Patronizewhatisours),wehearthisstatement outthechaosuntilit'sclear.
spokenquiteoften.ClichasitmaysoundbutFilipinosdonotlivebyit.
HeidiPriebe
Skechers,Havaianas,ConverseandCrocssalesinthePhilippinesreachhundred
millionsayearwhiletheMarikinaShoeindustryremainsanunderdog.Akid
preferstoeatHersheysKissesratherthanenjoyGoyachocolate.TheHunger
GamesandotherHollywoodfilmsattractmoreaudiencesthanAngBabaesa
SepticTankandotherFilipinomovies.ThecurrenttrendinthePhilippinesis
veryfarfromwhatformerPresidentCarlosP.Garciahadenvisionedwhenhe
initiatedtheFilipinoFirstPolicyduringhisadministration.Theprogramsmain
objectivewastofreethePhilippineeconomyfromforeigncontroland
supervision.AlthoughthereareFilipinoswhotrytofollowthepathofnationalism
thatJoseRizalandotherheroeshadtaken,therearemorewhoaredrivenby
colonialmentality.

Takingprideinbeingacitizenofacountryisessentialforthatcountrysprogress.
Colonial mentality is often held accountable for the backwardness of the
Philippine economy and country as a whole. Its impacts can be deteriorating to
thenationinvariousaspectsespeciallyifleftnotscrutinizedandundirectedtoa
morenationalisticmentality.

DavidandOkazaki(2006)conceptualizedcolonialmentalityamongFilipinosand
Filipino Americans as a form of internalized oppression, characterized by a
perception of ethnic or cultural inferiority. It involves an automatic and
unreasonable rejection of anything Filipino and an instinctive and
uncritical preference for anything Western or foreign. Its scope is not
limited to the patronage of foreign products but also involves the choice of

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5/2/2017 LearningFragments:ColonialMentality:AFilipinoHeritage?

language, concept of beauty, educational system, laws and policies, and even
politicalsystem.Filipinoswiththecolonialmentalityareunconsciousmostofthe
timethattheyexhibitthistypeofmindset.Thedevelopmentofsuchamentalityis
aproductofthePhilippines'experiences.

DevelopmentofFilipinoColonialMentality

The colonial history of the Philippines is the primary factor in the existence of
colonial mentality among its constituents. It is believed to be a consequence of
more than four centuries of colonization under Spain and the United States of
America.AccordingtothetheoriesofMemmi,Fanon,andFreire,asalienteffect
ofcolonizationistheinternalizationoftheinferiorperceptionthatisimposedon
a person by the colonizer (as cited in David and Okazaki, 2006). Such
internalizationmayleadtofeelingsofinferiorityaboutoneselfandonesethnicor
culturalgroup,andfeelingsofshame,embarrassment,orresentmentaboutbeing
aperson.

Fanon formulated the classical colonial model which describes four phases of
colonization(ascitedinDavidandOkazaki,2006).Thefirstphaseinvolvesforced SpreadtheWord
entry of the colonizers in a territory with the purpose of exploiting its natural
resourcesandinhabitants.Thesecondphasefollows,whereinacolonialsocietyis +2 Recommend this on Google
established to disintegrate and recreate the existing culture. In this phase, the
colonizers impose their own customs on the inhabitants to create a contrast LearningF
betweentheirsuperiorityoverthelatter.Inthethirdstage,thecolonizersemploy 701likes

oppression and domination. They portray the inhabitants as savage people that
needtobecontrolled.Thethreestageseventuallyleadtothefinalphasewherea
racebased societal system exists and the political, social, and economic LikePage
institutions in the colony are devised to benefit the colonizers and continually
subjugate the colonized. Consequently, the colonized inhabitants would perceive Bethefirstofyourfriendsto
theirinferioritywhichleadthemtomimictheircolonizersasthelatter'swaysare likethis

already regarded as superior than the previously held traditions of the

colonized(DavidandOkazaki,2006).

Applying the aforementioned model to the Philippine context, the Spanish

colonization was a period of suffering and cruelty. Filipinos were treated
ruthlesslyandconsideredassecondclasscitizenswhichbroughtabouttheirlack
ofethnicpride.Theywerecaughtinahierarchyofinferioritythemestizosbowed
to the criollos (offspring of Spanish parents), the criollos to the peninsulares
(thosewithparentsborninSpain),whiletheIndiosortheFilipinoskneltbefore
everyone (Duldulao, 1987). The recurring reminder of the Filipinos weakness
markedintotheirmindsandisstillreflectedontheirbehaviorasarace.

ThelevelofthesocialandeconomicdevelopmentthattheFilipinoshadattained
beforecolonizationisalsoafactorinthedevelopmentoftheircolonialmentality.
There was no concept of nation yet in the Philippines prior to the Spaniards'
arrival. The communities consisted of separate, autonomous barangays whose
contact with one another was only occasional and by barter only (Constantino,
1984). No particular religion existed to unify the early Filipinos, hence,
Catholicismwasreadilyembraced.TheSpaniardsforciblyresettledthescattered
barangays into larger communities where the people could more easily be Author
Christianizedandwhereeveryaspectoftheirlives,theircustomsandideascould
be scrutinized and shaped in the desired colonial mode. The introduction of a
religion which was an alien concept for Filipinos made physical conquest and
Viewcompleteprofilehere.
culturaldominationquiteeasyfortheSpanishcolonizers.ContrarytoCambodia
andIndonesia,thePhilippineshadnoAngkorWat,Boroboduroranymonument
that could remind its people of their ancestral origin (Constantino, 1984).
PopularPosts
Countries that have advanced social structures and a firmly established culture
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5/2/2017 LearningFragments:ColonialMentality:AFilipinoHeritage?

wouldbeabletoconfrontcolonizerswithdignityandwouldnotlosetheirsenseof ColonialMentality:AFilipino
racialworth.InthePhilippineexperience,colonizationoccurredbeforeFilipinos Heritage?
could develop a sufficient society so foreign influence easily penetrated their by:MarisCayE.Gabornes
culture. Tangkilikinangsaralingatin,
(Patronizewhatisours),wehear
The culture and Philippine values system are also factors in the acquisition of thisstatementspokenquiteoften.
colonial mentality. One of the goals of the Philippine values system is social Clich...
acceptance which lies on the values of smooth interpersonal relationship, amor LearningFragments
propio (selfesteem) and hiya (shame) (MacDonald, Raymundo and Panopio, Lifeisdifficult.That's
1994). According to Landa Jocano, the Filipino, regardless of inner ill feelings, afact.Thingsdon't
bows and resigns in silence since this is the behavior based on and required by alwaysgoourwayand
primal cultural norms expected of hiya (as cited in Yango, 2009). Filipinos by circumstancesdon't
nature aspire to be admired by other people and they persevere in saving their favorusallthetime.It'sbeca...
faces from embarrassment, this desire is also an outcome brought by their TheFivePeopleYouMeetin
colonial history. Even after colonization, there is a tendency for the colonized Heaven
peopletotrytobecomeliketheircolonizerstobefreedfrombeingidentifiedas I'mguilty.Aftermylastpost,I
inferior. Their history and experience of being inferior brought Filipinos in watchedtwomovies(Wedding
wanting to become superior. Thus, in an attempt to prove their independence, SingerandTheFivePeopleYou
Filipinos try to imitate their previous colonizers' way of thinking, appearance, MeetinHeaven)insteadof
preferences,andlifestyle. studyingfor...

FollowYourDestiny,
UtangnalooborthedebtofgratitudeisanotherofFilipinovaluesthatatsome WhereverItLeads
extentcontributestotheperpetuationofcolonialmentality(Enriquez,1978).The You
Americans are viewed by Filipinos in a positive light since they bestowed them Aclosefriendwho
independenceandtheyhadcontinuouslygivenaidtothePhilippineswheneverit alwaystakestimeto
is needed. In this sense, Filipinos have utang na loob (debt of gratitude) to the sharemotivationalmessagessent
thistomethismorning.Ithinkit
Americansthattheycanneverrepaythroughmoneythustheysupportwhatever
issomethingworthytoshare...
programsthatthelatterinitiateasasymboloftheirgratitudealthoughattimesit
isattheexpenseofFilipinos. UnderstandingNationalism
by:MarisCayE.Gabornes
Mass media also has a role in the colonial mentality of Filipinos. It has a large EveryPhilippineHistorybook
influence on Filipino viewers particularly on their behavior as consumers. containssomethingabout
nationalismandhowit
TelevisionsthroughtheunendingdisplaysofWesternfacesinadvertisementsand
contributedtothe...
shows portray beauty as having fair complexion and tall noses (David, 1996).
Celebrities that the people idolize are endorsing Westernmade products and ReassuranceAgainst
Westernowned companies which make it easier for the said companies to gain FearandDespair
profit.TheseadvertisementsstrengthentheyearningofFilipinostolivealifestyle Tonight'soneofthose
thatissimilartothatintheWestandignoretheFilipinowayoflife.RandyDavid nightswhenIcan't
moveonfroma
assertedthattheimportationoftelenovelasandrecentlyKoreannovelasbylocal
recitation.Theregretofnotbeing
networkscontributestoculturalinvasion.Theartofdubbingcreatedaconnection abletoremembersomething
between foreign artists and Filipino viewers, which exposes the latter to foreign you'v...
waysandfurtherleadstoemulation.

Inaddition,theintroductionofglobalizationinthePhilippinesopenedgatesfor BlogArchive
more Western influences. Globalization aims to unify all nations of the world in
2012 (33)
internationalaffairs,includingtrade,industry,cultureandeverythingthatcanbe
exchanged and function together in a harmonious manner (Funtecha, 2009). At 2013 (18)
thepresentage,itisinevitableforanycountrytoembraceglobalizationbecauseit
has various advantages. Globalization echoes the increasing need for greater FEBRUARY
(2)
transnationalcooperationandunderstanding,whicheliminatestheboundariesof MARCH
countries.Ithadbridgedmilesofdistancesbetweencountriesandpavedtheway (8)
forFilipinostobeeasilysusceptibletoforeigninfluencesandculture. HowtoFailYourGrades
EmailfromGod
EffectsofColonialMentality ColonialMentality:A
FilipinoHeritage?
ColonialmentalityproducedeffectsthataregraverthanwhatFilipinosrealizeand
UnderstandingNationalism
imagine. It is a burden and a barrier for the progress of Philippine economy,
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especiallyonindustriesproducingPhilippinemademerchandises.Filipinostend JobHunting#1:Job
to see Western goods as superior over those made in the Philippines thus a Rejection
producerandavendorofPhilippinegoodswillhaveahardtimemarketingthem. EvolutionofDeath
Filipino entrepreneurs in the cosmetic industry like Splash Corporation struggle
JobHunting#2:Passionvs.
to compete with multinational corporations that have adequate resources to FinancialGains
afford costly advertisements. Meanwhile, most of Filipino enterprises suffer
because consumers do not use much of anything made in the Philippines. JobHunting#3:Pause
Nowadays, when one sees a Filipino, chances are he is wearing something of a APRIL
(1)
designerbrandoreatingaWesternfood.FilipinosaretheonlyonesinAsiawho
JUNE
prefer foreign things than their own (Andres and Ilada, 1987). Andres revealed (1)
thatJapanesepatronizetheirproductsevenifthoseareinferiorcomparedtothe JULY
(1)
foreignmadeonesalsoIndianssticktotheirIndianwaysandideas.Needless
AUGUST
tosay,theoppositeappliestoFilipinosfortheyareimportorientedconsumers.A (2)
simplemanifestationofthisishowtheytrustsoapsmadewitholiveoilmorethan NOVEMBER
(3)
localcoconutoil.
2014 (6)
Filipinos preference for imported or foreign products influences their lifestyle.
Colonial mentality extends also to the peoples concept of beauty. They perceive 2015 (1)
beautybiasedonthemestizosattributesthatiswhyskinwhitenersareoneofthe
topgrossingproductsinthePhilippines.PauloTirol,AssistantBrandManagerfor 2016 (5)
Procter and Gamble Distributing (Phils.) Inc. said that more than 71% of the
2017 (1)
Philippine skincare market is in whitening products. A survey by Synovate on
2004 found that half of Filipino women use a skinwhitening product. Those in
theupperclassofthesocietyundergonoseliftsurgeriesandbleachingforthemto
be considered beautiful. Nationalists view those actions as a manifestation of Traffic
onesdiscontentofFilipinoattributes.
LiveTrafficFeed
Philippine culture music, literature and films is unappreciated because of AvisitorfromFremont,California
viewed"LearningFragments:Colonial
colonial mentality. Libraries and bookstores are filled with American and other
Mentality:AFilipinoHeritage?"6hrs
WesternbookswhilethereisscarcityinbookspublishedinTagalogandwritten 45minsago
AvisitorfromPhilippinesviewed
byFilipinoauthors.ErwinOrdoezassertedthatFilipinoauthorsareseldomread "LearningFragments:Colonial
by students and teachers since they favor Western writers (as cited in Abueva, Mentality:AFilipinoHeritage?"11hrs
1999).StudentsareverymuchfamiliarwithWilliamShakespeareandhisworks 25minsago
AvisitorfromBrampton,Ontario
butthementionofAmadoHernandezorJoseCorazondeJesuswillplaceacrease viewed"LearningFragments:TheFive
onanaveragestudentsforehead.EventheaverageFilipinoreaderspreferbooks PeopleYouMeetinHeaven"12hrs47
minsago
AvisitorfromMountainView,
writtenbyinternationalauthors.Infact,onlytwoFilipinoauthoredbooksmadeit
Californiaviewed"Learning
to thelatestBestsellers List of National Bookstore (National BookstoreWebsite, Fragments:ColonialMentality:A
March2013). FilipinoHeritage?"14hrs47minsago
AvisitorfromPittsburgh,Pennsylvania
viewed"LearningFragments:Learning
Hollywood movies have knocked down Philippine movie industry as well. Box Fragments"14hrs59minsago
AvisitorfromPhilippinesviewed
Office Mojo reported that, as of January 2013, "The Avengers," distributed by "LearningFragments:Colonial
Walt Disney Pictures, is the alltime highest grossing film in the Philippines. Mentality:AFilipinoHeritage?"16hrs
Meanwhile,"Sisterakas,"thealltimehighestgrossingFilipinofilmisonlyinsixth 56minsago
AvisitorfromTaytay,Rizalviewed
place.FilipinomoviesaresupportedwhentheyarecompetingwithotherFilipino "LearningFragments:Colonial
moviesbuttheyfallshortwhencomparedwithforeignfilms. Mentality:AFilipinoHeritage?"17hrs
12minsago
AvisitorfromPhilippinesviewed
"LearningFragments:Colonial
Emigration is another of the underlying effects of colonial mentality. As of
Mentality:AFilipinoHeritage?"18hrs
December2004,anestimated8.1millionFilipinos,whichisnearly10percentof 4minsago
AvisitorfromSugarLand,Texas
the Philippines' 85 million people, were working or residing in close to 200 viewed"LearningFragments:TheFive
countries and territories (Asis, 2006). Filipinos identify foreign lands as more PeopleYouMeetinHeaven"18hrs9
progressive nations and they dream to permanently reside there. Filipinos have minsago
AvisitorfromEuropeviewed
associatedforeigncountrieswithgreenerpastures,so,theychoosetoleavetheir "LearningFragments:Colonial
country either to work abroad or permanently migrate. A nationwide survey of Mentality:AFilipinoHeritage?"18hrs
RealtimeviewGetFeedjit

1,200adultrespondentsin2002foundoneinfiveFilipinosexpressingadesireto
migrate. More recent surveys carried out by Pulse Asia in 2005 found an
increasingpercentageofadultrespondents,26percentinJulyand33percentin
October,agreeingwiththestatement,"Ifitwereonlypossible,Iwouldmigrateto
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anothercountryandlivethere"(Asis,2006).

Interestinleavingthecountryisnotlimitedtoadults,theyoungpopulationshare
similarvision.Inanationwidesurveyin2003ofchildrenages10to12,47percent
reported that they wished to work abroad someday (Asis, 2006). This could
explainthegrowthofNursingschoolstooffsettheincreasingnumberofstudents
who want to pursue the career for the high income and employment overseas it
promises.
Although Filipinos abroad contribute to the countrys economy with their
remittances,suchasetupmustnotbefavoredbythegovernment.Filipinoslose
their sense of identity as they are exposed to the culture of other nations.
Moreover, it leads to brain drain since educated individuals choose to harness
their expertise abroad in exchange for larger income, which further causes
scarcity of professionals in the Philippines. The talents and competencies of
Filipinos are utilized by other nations while the country makes use of whatever
was left behind. As a result, the Philippines is left uncultivated similar to a rice
fieldthatwasabandonedbyitsfarmers.

Furthermore,theeducationalsystemisunsuitedtothecountry,itbeingaclone
of the American school system as expressed by Ordoez (as cited in Abueva,
1999). The apparatuses of education were utilized by the past colonizers of
Filipinos to produce ideas, instill values, and transmit information that would
insidiously work on the minds of the populace and render them impotent and
incapable of critical reflection. Teresita Maceda explained that alien or foreign
cultural standards dominated Philippine intellectual centers without material
basisinPhilippinesociety(ascitedinAbueva,1999).Asaresult,Filipinosregard
First World culture as superior and their own as inferior and marginal. She
furtherassertsthatPhilippinefolktaleswereexcludedfromtextbooksduringthe
colonizationperiodandviewedasinsignificantwhilethosewritteninEnglishor
Spanish are given importance. English textbooks did not only introduce the
Filipinos to a new language but it also opened a gate to the Western world that
Filipinos had already learned to imitate. The problem stems from the fact that
scholarsinthecountryaretrainedandeducatedinWesterninstitutionsthusthey
tendtothinkinWesterntermsandteachinWesternways(Espiritu,1968).There
are tendencies where Filipino culture is ignored brought by the predominant
Westernculturethatwasalreadyembeddedintheirminds.

WesternconceptsarenotalwaysapplicabletothePhilippinesforthecultureand
environment greatly varies. For instance, in studying psychology and sociology
there are terms and ideas that were described in Western models that do not
reallycapturetheiractualmeanings.Thebestexampleisthewordkapwa which
is translated in English as others but in the Philippine culture kapwa means
differently, it refers to a union of the self and others (Enriquez, 1978).
AccordingtoDr.ZeusSalazar,whattheFilipinoscholarslackisthemasteryand
application of pantayong pananaw (a "we" perspective usage of Filipino
languageasdiscourseinhistoryandothersocialsciences).Clearly,thePhilippine
educational system is largely Western influenced which is incompatible with
Filipinoculture.

EradicationofColonialMentality

Although one can argue that colonial mentality brought some advantages, like
changingFilipinosnonrationalisticvaluesorientationtoarationalisticoneand
strengthening their English proficiency, it is still undeniable that it produced
more drawbacks. To progress as a nation, Filipinos must decide to eradicate
colonialmentalityintheirsystem.Strobelsuggesteddecolonizationasthemethod
thatcaneradicatecolonialmentality(ascitedinYango,2009).
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Decolonizationreferstothetaskofunlearningcolonialmentality.Itsobjectiveis
toretellthenarrativeoftheoppressivecolonialexperiencethroughoutPhilippine
society for the purpose of exposing its oppressive intent. Yango (2009) asserted
that liberation begins with recognizing ones history thus the means of
decolonizing is not found in the destruction of the colonial narrative but within
the power of knowing the colonial experience. Transformation is a significant
objective in the process of decolonizing and it is expected that the power of
knowing the colonial experience will lead towards a new narrative that has
learnedtorespondagainstothercolonialnarrativesandtendenciesinthecontext
ofglobalization.Thetaskofdecolonizingcolonialmentalityindicatesanattempt
toreconfiguretheFilipinostoryinrelationtotheircolonialexperienceandview
colonialmentalityasabnormaloralienwithintheFilipinoconsciousness(Yango,
2009). Decolonization involves conscious mindset and deliberate action of
individuals.

Thegovernmentplaysasignificantroleinthisadvocacy.Strictimplementationof
the principles laid down in the Constitution and laws that protect Philippine
industry and are proFilipino should be practiced. A number of provisions that
promote the interests of Filipinos and protect Philippine entrepreneurs from
foreign exploitation exist in the 1987 Philippine Constitution such as Filipino
control of the economy (Art. II, Sec. 19), complete Filipino management and
control of public utilities (Art. XII, Sec. 11), promotion of the Filipino First
policy(Art.XII,Sec.10,par.2Sec.12),andthereservationtoFilipinosofcertain
areasofinvestmentsifinthenationalinterest(Art.XII,Sec.10,par.1).Moreover,
the Constitution upholds the preservation and enhancement of Filipino national
culture (Art. XIV, Secs. 1418). The Philippine Constitution is obviously pro
Filipino and it supports Filipinos in their endeavors. The legislators should now
ensure that the provisions of the Constitution are reflected in laws or else the
Constitutionwouldbenothingbutapieceofdocument.

Filipinos must reexamine their values and rekindle their pride and dignity for
beingFilipinos.HeberBartolomessong(1978)isverysuggestiveinthecontextof
Filipinosundergoingcosmeticsurgeries,itgoesTayoymgaPinoy,tayoyhindi
Kano, huwag kang mahihiya kung ang ilong mo ay pango (We are Filipinos
and not Americans, dont be ashamed though your nose is flat). It alludes
Filipinos to embrace their traits and take pride in them. Furthermore, Randy
DavidpointedoutthataFilipinoshouldacceptandbeproudofwhateverphysical
attributes given to him and not try to look like a Westerner since beauty is
subjective (as cited in Abueva, 1999). Patronizing Western products and
tryingtolooklikeaWesternerwillnevermakeaFilipinobecomeone.
Bakit nangagaya, meron naman tayo (Why imitate when we have our own),
this line from Bartolomes song is an advocacy for Filipinos to refrain from
imitatingforeignwaysandpreservethenation'sownidentity.Thereisaneedfor
cultural change among Filipinos and this process requires the Filipino
consciousnesstorejecttheadmissionofcolonialmentalityintotheFilipinobeing
(Yango,2009).Withoutthisparticularculturechange,theFilipinoconsciousness
willcontinuetobevictimizedbyWesterninfluences,beitfromwithinoroutside
Philippinesociety.

Mostimportantly,nationalismtheattitudethatthemembersofanationhave
when they care about their national identity and their actions when seeking to
achieve or sustain national unity and independence must be emphasized in
social institutions like family, school and work place (Miscevic, 2005). Ideally,
Filipino nationalism, as characterized by Constantino (n.d.), is defensive or
protective, antiimperialist, massbased and not antidevelopment. She relates
thatnationalistsbelievethattheresourcesofPhilippinesshouldbeforthebenefit
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of Filipinos today and in the future. To achieve this, she suggests that the
Philippinegovernmentshouldprotectitspeopleagainstforeigncompetitionand
givethempreferenceindollarallocations.

Constantino clarifies that being antiimperialist is not synonymous to racism.

Filipino nationalism is not antiAmerican or antiJapanese it only advocates
opposition against those policies of governments that harm the interests of the
Filipino people, policies which these governments pressure the Philippine
governmenttoadopt.Itismassbasedbecause,unlikeinthepast,itaimstoserve
the interest of the majority and no longer the interest of one or another sector.
Constantino regards it as democratic since it believes in the greatest possible
participation of the people in the determination of policy, particularly in the re
orientationofdevelopmentprograms.

Filipinonationalismisnotantidevelopmentanditdoesnotadvocateeconomic,
political,scientificorculturalisolation.Itactuallyfosterseaseandcomfort,good
health,andaccesstothebestproductsofmansintellectandartisticspiritthatthe
highestachievementsofmodernscienceandartcanprovide(Constantino,n.d.).
This means that nationalism believes in economic, political, and scientific
exchangeswithothercountriesbutitrecommendsthatsuchexchangesaredone
carefully and selectively, always placing priority on the needs and welfare of the
Filipinopeople.

Conclusion

History is something that no one can change. The colonization that the
Philippines went through for over four centuries is engraved in the nations
historical experience and culture. Nevertheless, this does not necessarily imply
total tolerance and indulgence of Western influences, goods and concepts. The
cultural heritage and unique crafts of Filipinos are the things that
define their identity as a people consumption of Western products will
never transform anyone to a Westerner. In the first place, Filipinosmustnot
attempt to imitate Westerners. They must willfully recognize the
greatnessoftheirownrace.

Colonialmentalityshouldbeeliminatedslowlyifnoteradicatedcompletelyfrom
the Filipino being. Decolonization of Filipino colonial mentality should be
achieved before it totally ruins what was left of the Philippines and nationalism
must be promoted and advocated. It would take a deliberate action and a lot of
determination but Filipino nationalism is not impossible to be revived. Benigno
(2003)wasencouragingFilipinostodojustthatwhenhesaid,Wewereborn
Filipinos. Now we must learn to be Filipinos. After all, it is only the
identityandconvictionofbeingaFilipinothatcanrevivethesenseofnationalism
Dr. Jose Rizal manifested in between the lines of Noli me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo.

***I'llbehappyifthispaperwouldbeabletohelpanyone.Justpleasegivecredit
wherecreditisdue.
LastUpdated:October9,2013

Howtocitethisarticle:Gabornes,MarisCay.(2010,March11).Colonial
Mentality:AFilipinoHeritage?Retrievedfrom
http://learningfragments.blogspot.com

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SynovatePhilippines.2004.SkinWhiteninginSoutheastAsia.2010,March6.

Yango,Emo.2009.DecolonizingColonialMentality.Philippines:AGSTPress.

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NathanaelFlores
SaintLouisUniversity
salamatMaris.
LikeReplyOct17,201311:06am

FloraMae
Paraaque
itreallyreallyhelps speciallyinmyresearchpaper.thank
yousomuchMaris
LikeReplyMar12,20147:47am

ReneliAnnGloria
ResearchandDevelopmentatGringottsWizardingBank
thanksforthis!!!
LikeReplyApr25,201412:28pm

AnnaCalvan
St.Scholastica'sCollege
Iwasonthevergeofgivingupandchangingmytopicfor
thesisthenIfoundthis.Thankyousomuchforagreatarticle!

LikeReplySep1,201412:08am

StephanieFayeRicardel
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5/2/2017 LearningFragments:ColonialMentality:AFilipinoHeritage?
StephanieFayeRicardel
WorksatNone
Thankyousosomuchforthis!Helpedmealotinmythesis
paper
LikeReply 1Dec5,201412:03pm

SofiaRoxaneS.Maningas
AteneodeManilaUniversity
Thankyouverymuchforthis!! IthoughtIwouldn'tbeable
tofindsomethingaboutmytopicthenIsawthis..
LikeReply 2Dec14,201411:01am

AprilBonghanoy
PamantasanngLungsodngPasig
ThankYouVeryMuch..itissohelpfultothestudentslikeus
esp.nowbecausemyteacherassignedustodoaresearch
paper. Onceagainthankyou.
LikeReply 1Jan23,20151:04pm

JudyMaeCastillo
NotreDameofMarbelUniversity
verynicearticle.ThankYou!
LikeReplyJan17,20166:51pm

SevenCelestCansila
UniversityofPerpetualHelpSystemDALTA
thanksssforthisss
LikeReplyFeb10,20169:42pm

DecereeSumcad
Hi!Ireallywannacopyyourarticleandshareitwithmy
classmatesfordiscussionbutCtrl+Adoesn'twork.It'sreally
veryhelpful.WhatshouldIdo?
LikeReplyFeb19,201610:45pm

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JoseLeonidasValencia August17,2013at9:19PM
Interestingread.=)Correction:ThesongTayoyMgaPinoywasactually
performedbyBanyuhayNiHeberandwrittenbyHeberBartolome.Francis
Magalonawasonly14yearsoldwhenthissongwasreleasedin1978.
Reply

Replies

Maris October9,2013at1:06AM
HelloJose!Thankyousomuchforreadingthis.Mostespecially,
thankyouforthecorrection.Icheckedtheinformationandyou
wereright.Ialreadyeditedmypost.Again,thanks!=)

Reply

Anonymous May9,2014at2:45PM
HiMaris,

Niceblog.IwishmoreyoungergenerationFilipinocitizens(anyrace)can
readthisblog.Ithinkthemainreasonsarenotlovingourownandhaving
afixedmindset.Inorderacountrytodevelop.

First the citizens must "Love their own country" like Germany, Korea,
Japan,andChina.Ifyouobservethesecountries.Youcanfindthatmostof
themwanttocreatetheirownproductanduseittheydon'tallowUSA,UK
orSpaintotakeoverthem.

Second is the "Fixed Mindset". Germans, Japanese, South Koreans, and

Chinese. basically believe they can do it together. They have a growth
mindset that helps them have in mind that their country can also be
developed.

AndsincetheSpanishruledusforalongtime.Wetendtohavetheirhabit
of being Lazy. which if you notice Spain's economy now. Or try visiting
Spain, you will observe people their are so relaxed and slow paced. And
Spanishcrueltyofstealingotherstuff.CombiningtheAmericanmindsetof
want to get rich fast and hustle anyone. where corruption comes in. The
combinationturnsoutnotsogood.

I hope one day we can be like Germany, South Korea, Japanese, and
Chinese.Lookattheircountrynow.Oncepoorbutnowrising...
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5/2/2017 LearningFragments:ColonialMentality:AFilipinoHeritage?

For me idolizing is just being a slave..if people ever think why are we on
earth. Its maybe we need to live happily without greed, help others, and
loveourown.

I work overseas and observe different cultures like how they think and
work.

Pleaseletmeknowwhatyouthink.
Reply

Replies

Maris October7,2014at6:21PM
Hello! Thank you for reading my blog and for sharing your
insights.:)

Iagreewithyouthattherearecountriesthatarenationalisticand
thisqualityhelpedtheminattaininggrowthanddevelopment.I
haven't been in the countries you've cited but I had the same
observationwhenIvisitedThailandandCambodia.Comparedto
Filipinos and Cambodians (who were both victims of
colonization), Thais are far more nationalistic. I remembered
how I had a hard time looking for familiar food in Thailand
because even franchises like Dunkin Donuts and KFC are
"localized." In contrast, Cambodia just like the Philippines has
embraced western culture and products. Back then, I was so
grateful to finally leave Thailand and have familiar food and
productsinCambodia.ButasIthinkaboutitnow,I'msoamazed
at how Thailand was able to welcome globalization without
sacrificingitsownheritage.

Ihopethatsomedaywecanattainthesamelevelofnationalism
that countries like Thailand possess. Although, it's not our fault
thatwewerecolonized,it'supto us to undo the effects of those
periodsofcolonization.

Again,thankyousomuchforyourinsights.:)

Reply

Anonymous October3,2014at11:28AM
Hi Maris! Just wondering, what would you do when you try to patronize
our own products but the quality is poor or the taste is not as yummy
comparedtoimportedones?
Reply

Replies

Maris October7,2014at5:58PM
Hello there! First of all, I think it's important to remember that
patronizing our own products doesn't equate to completely
rejecting foreign products, the same way that nationalism is not

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5/2/2017 LearningFragments:ColonialMentality:AFilipinoHeritage?

aboutbeingantiforeigner.Regardingyourquestion,Iwouldtry
tolookforotherlocalbrandsthatmanufacturetheproduct.Ifall
else fails, I'll use imported ones guiltfree since I know that I've
donewhatIcould.:)

Thanks for your question. It only shows us that establishing the

"Filipinofirst" mindset is the responsibility of both local
consumersandmanufacturers/companies.

Reply

Anonymous November27,2014at2:17PM
Greatpoints,verywellwrittenandthorough.Congratulations.
Reply

Replies

Maris December1,2014at11:10PM
Thanksforthekindwords!:)

Reply

Anonymous May4,2015at12:05AM
Thanks for the article. I've been looking for something that can answer
some of my questions on the colonial mentality we Filipinos have. Your
article answered most of them, so I'm pretty grateful. I've always been
intrigued about the Filipino Identity and how colonial mentality fits to it.
MostlybecauseIgrewupalittleconfusedaboutmyown.Thankfully,I've
been able to find some sort of link now that I'm a little older. From my
experience, young Filipinos have a hard time being able to connect with
their culture because we're still finding ways on how to incorporate our
past into the present modern world today and make it more known and
spread out.But thanks to how it's easier to spread information and
knowledge right now, we've been learning a lot and seeing a lot more
appreciationinculture.Ithinkabigfactoristhatwhileothercultureshad
alreadyhadtheirtimetofigurethisproblemourintheirpast,ourmoment
is only really happening now. I personally like to dub it as our own
"Cultural revolution" with how a lot of things are popping up. lol. We're
actually good in a lot of things and if only we'd support each other, we'd
reallygoalongway.
Reply

Replies

Maris May8,2015at10:05PM
I totally agree with you. It was difficult to assert our identity
partly because of our colonial history. For a while, as a race, we
were confused with all the foreign influences that it was almost
impossibletodeterminewhatistrulyFilipino.Iguessuntilnow
the same has not been fully resolved. But I think what is
importantisthatFilipinosarelearningtocompeteandassertour

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5/2/2017 LearningFragments:ColonialMentality:AFilipinoHeritage?

raceglobally.TherecognitionthatFilipinoshavebeengettingin
variousfieldsinternationallyisabighelpforourselfesteem.But
I hope someday we can be proud Filipinos even without the
praisesorapprovalofforeigncountries.

Thankyouforsharingyourideas.:)

Reply

Anonymous July25,2015at7:52AM
Hopefully this will help open the eyes of some people. I appreciate your
effortstopromotedialogueofthistopic.Onlythroughtalkingaboutitwe
can make people aware that it's a problem. I hope in the near future this
problemwillbeintheforefrontofFilipinos'
attention.
Reply

Anonymous July29,2015at9:46PM
Thishadbeenveryhelpful.NotjustformyThesisbutalsoforthosewho
should be concerned. I hope this crusade echoes not just to those are
evidently capable or who are in the position to incite significant change,
but to every Filipino who can be convinced of this insight. I'll carry this
knowledgealongwithotherthingsthatIlearn,uptilIgrowoutfrommy
presentlyripeyears.:)
Reply

JasmaneCasimiro March28,2016at4:50PM
Hi,Maris!Doyouhaveapdfcopyofthis?I'mwritingapaperandIwantto
citeyourwork.HowdoIgetacopyofthis?Nicework,bytheway.:)
Reply

Anonymous November26,2016at1:07PM
Hi!Ijustwanttotellyouthatimimpressedofyourworksoiwouldliketo
haveyourpermissionbecauseiwantedtogetsomeofitspartstofinishmy
speechforOralCommunication!Thanks!DN
Reply

Edward December31,2016at1:21AM
Blamethemediaandtheeducationsystem.Ouryouthshouldbelearning
prehispanic cultures of philippines, study baybayin, and filipino martial
arts at an early age. Ingrain the youth that we had our own language,
writingsystems,andartsevenbeforethewesternersarrived.Butsincewe
haveadoptedhispaniccultureweshouldalsoembraceit.
Reply

Anonymous January5,2017at12:01PM

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hellomarisireallyreallyloveyourblog.itissoinformativeandveryuseful
inourthesis
Reply

Anonymous February28,2017at9:17AM
thankyoumuchthisisagreat!!!articleintermsofmindsetandactionsas
filipino.
Reply

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