The Philippine Online Chronicles

Ah basta…kahit ano pang sabihin nila … proud to be Pinoy!”

In an online poll about Filipino pride, this was one of the posts that drove home the point. Forget the Juan Tamad stereotypes, the derogatory remarks in imported television shows, or even the “hay naku, nakakahiya ang mga Pilipino” comments that even some of our pessimistic fellowmen relish saying. I asked some of my Facebook friends “What are you most proud of as a Filipino?” and here are some memorable answers:

“I’m proud of Filipinos’ resiliency … even in the worst of conditions, we always manage to thrive,” said Quel, 26, Writer.

For Executive Director of Knowledge Channel Foundation Doris Nuval, “I love the closeness of our extended family system, the caring, the loving for each other… the ‘mano po’, the respect for elders and the unbreakable links.”

“I’m proud to be Filipina because one thing that sets us apart from other races is our sense of humor, our fondness for laughter despite the crises that we go through,” wrote Karina, a graduate student from Ateneo de Manila.

In a 2003 International Social Survey (ISSP) Survey on national identity, 83 percent Filipinos answered they are “Very Proud” of being Filipino, while 13 percent felt “Proud” and a mere 3 percent are “Not Proud.” However, as calamities and political anomalies take us to the world’s headlines, we have allowed negativity to get the better of us. Some of us hold up our hands with a sigh or withdraw into apathy. And in a country that has yet to be economically self-reliant, how do we keep our national pride intact and strong?

This is the question the Filipino pride movement called Yabang Pinoy has been addressing for six years now. Under their mother foundation Children’s Environmental Awareness and Action Foundation (CEAAF), Yabang Pinoy was established in 2005 by a group of young, 24-to-29-year-old Filipinos who believe that the No. 1 problem our country is facing is lack of national pride.

“Back in 2005, it was very difficult to introduce a shouting proud Filipino product to the Philippine market because it was easier to sell imported products which Filipinos preferred,“ said Maricris Sarino, Executive Director of CEEAF and a full-time hard-core Yabang Pinoy advocate.

Founders of Yabang Pinoy studied the situation in developed countries and discovered that a common denominator among the citizens of these nations was pride of country, leading them to patronize their homegrown brands. If other countries made it, why can’t we?

For Yabang Pinoy, it all starts with changing the mindset of Filipinos in terms of “…sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa,” to quote a memorable line from the old Panatang Makabayan. Once the Filipino bursts with national pride, the other goals being eyed would follow.

To get the yabang out, the movement uses development communication through a series of year-long activities. Yabang Pinoy has successfully launched the fifth issue of Mag YP last July 1. Mag YP is the premiere online magazine advocating Filipino Pride. Each issue is filled with the freshest ideas on “Pinoy. Life. Style.”-- created and produced entirely by passionate Filipinos. To remind Filipinos of our vast and beautiful “likas na yaman,” Yabang Pinoy’s PINASPORT project invites Filipinos to share photos and videos of their favorite places in the Philippines. Happening December this year is Yabang Fest, a showcase of Filipino products, talents and movements in a big shebang of local bands, fashion shows and exhibits. Yabang Fest will also serve as a venue for recognizing Filipino advocates and volunteers who made big contributions to the movement. For the sports-minded, Yabang Pinoy yearly holds the Pinakamahabang Todo-Patintero in schools, to remind the youth of the fun and the cultural heritage of Philippine games.

But Yabang Pinoy’s biggest and most pinagyayabang event is its annual Global Pinoy Bazaar, featuring Philippine products, such as ladies’, men’s and children’s apparel, accessories, jewelries, shoes and bags, home decor, beachwear, home and wellness products, as well as Pinoy art and design. Yabang Pinoy is all set to hold the 7^th Global Bazaar on November 5-6 at Rockwell Tent in Makati City.

“We feel that the Global Pinoy Bazaar is a great way to promote and support our fellow Filipino craftsmen and artists and is a great way to encourage people out there to either venture into their own thing or support local,” shared Antonette Mendoza of Twee Shop.

“We believe in products proudly made in the Philippines and in the skill and talent of the Filipino entrepreneur,” says Kaye Ong of Suelas and Marengo.

Having Filipino pride and believing in the ingenuity of Filipinos would go a long way in nation-building.

Maricris emphasized: “We believe that continuous progress and development in our country will start once the Philippines has Filipino entrepreneurs producing  products with 100% Filipino love and pride”

Today, Yabang Pinoy has a 35-member core team and a total of 80,000 Yabang Pinoy advocates, volunteers and supporters. But, like their “Pinakamahabang Patintero,” Yabang Pinoy knows it has a long way to go before every Filipino says in all sincerity, “Ah basta! I’m proud to be Pinoy!”

Join the Yabang Pinoy movement. Visit http://www.facebook.com./yabangpinoy?sk=app_7146470109