Pinay Fervor

When I first traveled outside the country, I asked my mom this question: "If you saw me for the first time, from which country do you think I'm from based on my features?" After thinking for a while my mom told me I look like I'm from Malaysia. (Grrr...I don't look like a Pinay!)

That answer was further proven when strangers I met during my travels asked me if I'm from Malaysia, Singapore, or Indonesia. An Indian chef even thought I was from India. So how come they didn't think I was a Filipina? That question lingered in my mind until an American guy sitting in front of me during breakfast asked if I was from the Philippines. I was so surprised and asked him how did he know. He said he saw me bless my food before eating and since I looked like an Asian, he concluded that I might be from the Philippines because it's the only country in Asia with the highest population of Catholics. Good analysis, I thought.

So that answered my question. People judge us initially by our appearance, and further by our actions. If I act like a Pinay, they would see me as a Pinay. So I came up with some distinguishing characteristics of a Filipina:

1. Expressive - According to my Chinese colleagues, the thing that they noticed among us Filipinas is that our face can have a lot of expressions. When we feel happy we smile a lot and the smile reaches our eyes --- making it all the more sincere. When we feel bad, the frown can be seen on our face and can even be observed by the slouch of our shoulders. We are not afraid to express how we feel and even if we try to hide them, our feelings are still displayed through our actions.

2. Strong - We can survive in any place, given any task. If you go around the world, you will see that most nurses, caregivers, etc. are mostly Filipinas. This is because these professions are the most physically and emotionally draining. And I can say with pride that most Filipinas can take on that responsibility with dignity.

3. Religious - Because of the Spanish colonization, most of us grew up in a Catholic family. We have been taught to pray the rosary, pray before eating, pray before going to bed, go to mass every Sunday, etc. Catholic teachings have been engraved in our ancestors, our lolas, our moms, our titas --- to the point of sometimes being 'fanatics', thus the term Catholic fanaticism. I am in no way complaining because this is one of the traits that distinguish us from our Asian neighbors.

The list is short and simple --- like a Pinay. (Ack...that really is a cliche...erase..erase). Seriously speaking, after living a so-called "Shanghainese life", I really missed everything Filipino. I have to confess that I listened to Tagalog songs during my trip back to Manila. I missed those semi-'kundiman' heart-wrenching songs that always make you think about unrequited love or 'kilig' moments. (This further proves point # 1 --- we really can't help but express our feelings --- sometimes through music.)

So if someone again asks me if I'm from Malaysia, Singapore, or Indonesia, I'll just answer him/her: "Hindi, Pinay ako." =P