I am a Filipino
Written last 2019
Ako ay Pilipino
(I am a Filipino.)
My father is a Chinese citizen. He grew up in the Philippines. My mother is a Filipino with a hint of Spanish descent. They have raised me to both Filipino and Chinese cultures. I stand with my right hand hanging high in the air, repeating the oath every week as I study in a Filipino-Chinese school. The university I went to gave me a genuine sense of the Filipino culture, and I came to embrace each minute. I am proud to be a Filipino.
Buong katapatang nanunumpa
Sa watawat ng Pilipinas
(I pledge my full allegiance
To the flag of the Philippines.)
I faithfully pledge my allegiance to the flag of the Philippines. Every year, we remember the bloody history the Filipinos died for, our democracy and sovereignty. The kids I teach get a glimpse of what the Philippines had to go through to be where we are: free and rising to the top. I faithfully pledge my allegiance. I refuse to die for politicians who have no interest in our country. Heroes and martyrs shed their blood to be where we are today. The flag they designed became the pride of my heart, swelling in joy and frustration, wondering why we can’t rise in this tragedy. But my mind knew the answer to the question it seeks.
At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag
(And to the country it represents.)
And to the country it represents: the Philippines. You have been through so much. Inang Bayan, I wish we can fight for you. I long for justice when there is none. I yearn for service when I see selfishness. I wish I can do so much more than just wish. Pilipinas, I promise to battle for your independence. I vow to fight for your freedom, whether from the enemies surrounding our territory, or be it from traitors resting in our lands. We will not stay silent. Blood will be shed and they will see vengeance to anyone who tries to sell your value.
Na may dangal,
(With honor,)
With honor, as Jose Rizal has lived his life, we will make sure his words will live on to this day. The youth are the hope of the nation. This nation. And we will rise against any tyranny forming within our sight. We will not be silent. If you cut us down, two more will awaken from the truth. The blind will receive their sight. And the moment they do, the traitors will apologize for taking their voice away. We will fight for this land with honor, just as Rizal had done centuries ago.
Katarungan
(Justice,)
With justice. We refuse to sit in our homes as people with privilege get what the poor cannot. We will fight in every way possible. I refuse to view unfortunate incidents as an opportunity to romanticize the resilience of Filipinos. When calamity strikes, we fight back with justice. And justice means equal access for everyone. Justice means standing on trial, innocent until proven guilty. Justice means holding life as something sacred, as God had made us. With integrity, we will fight back. We will make our cries heard. We will shout from our homes. We will shed light on what you so desperately want to keep in the dark. We will burn your secrets with fire in our veins.
at kalayaan
(and freedom,)
With freedom. We struggled for our freedom when the Spanish kept us in our prisons. We battled for our freedom when the Americans tried to drag us in chains. We fought for our democracy when the Japanese forced us to march to our deaths. We fought for our rights when the Martial Law threatened to take our voice away. And we will protect our freedom as China tries to conquer what was never theirs. We will combat for our freedom as politicians turn a blind eye to the poor. We will force them to face the blood in their hands. Treason, no matter how hard you try to wash it off, will always leave a stain. The Filipinos are angry, and they have the right to be furious. If the government continues to blind them with the blood they shed, our shouts will make their ears deaf with the riots they have to face.
Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang.
(Put in motion by one nation.)
Everything is set into motion because of one country. Our country. Pilpinas, I love you too much to let you go. The Pearl of the Orient Sea has captured my heart. Thousands have died fighting for the Philippines, and a thousand more will die if that’s what it takes for us to see its value. Do not be mistaken. The bloodshed will continue to scream against those who turn away. You go blind on us; you turn a deaf ear, and we will consider you to be a traitor. You have seen the truth, yet believe a lie. And we will not tolerate this.
Maka-Diyos.
(For God,)
For the love of God, love this country right! For the love of God, the God of justice, do not give in to bribery. For the love of God, the God of the poor, take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. For the love of God, the God of peace, fight for this country to keep its peace. For the love of God, be proud you are a Filipino and own it. The heroes of our land have fought for sovereignty. The least we can do is to stand tall and claim what is ours. For the love of God, fight for this land.
Maka-tao.
(People,)
For the sake of the people, do something right! To the politicians, when you first served, isn’t it because you wanted to help the Filipinos? How can you give that if you stay silent? How can you achieve that if you make noise that makes no sense? How can you do that if you are blinded from the privilege given to you? Aren’t we called to be hospitable? Aren’t we known to be friendly? Stand up to that. Not only when days are good, but when lives are desperate. Give the people what they need. Give us what we need. We do not want military power, we do not need special powers granted. We demand to honor the current heroes, our doctors. We need mass testing. Give priority to those in need.
Makakalikasan
(Nature,)
For the sake of nature, care for those around us. Taal Volcano grumbles and spews ashes, angered by the sight of what her country has become. Injustice shouts on the empty streets. Corruption screams despite being forced into silence. The poor mourn for their rights the rulers ignored. The air grows gray as the traffic becomes worse day by day. Taal screams and Mayon erupts, their anger affecting everyone, teaching the people our statements can be heard too. And the government should be afraid.
at Makabansa.
(and country.)
For the love of this country, demand justice when robbed. Demand honesty when corruption is being bribed. Demand integrity when fraud is being praised. I refuse to see my country go down in ruins. You are still worth fighting for. We will strive for this country just as Rizal had. We will die for the truth, just as General Luna had. We will scream for justice, even if it means screaming with our last breath. The law should not be taken lightly. No one is above the constitution. No measure of privilege or power can make you stand above the statutes. People have tried this. No one has succeeded. You seek to be above the law, and everyone else will pull you down, back to your place. The rich and the poor are two sides of the same coin. We are under the Law. We cannot and we refuse for anyone to think otherwise.
We are resilient.
We are courageous.
We will not surrender.
We will not forget.
We will raise our voices.
We will fight for this nation.
We are Filipinos.
Ako ay Pilipino.
Buong katapatan nanunumpa sa watawat ng Pilipinas
At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag
Na may dangal, Katarungan, at kalayaan
Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang
Maka-Diyos
Maka-tao
Makakalikasan
at makabansa.
I am Filipino
I pledge my allegiance
To the flag of the Philippines
And to the country it represents
With honor, justice and freedom
Put in motion by one Nation
For God,
People,
Nature,
andCountry.
