An Epidemic of World-recognition Hunger

Written maybe 2022 or 2023

"Wow! That’s some world-class presentation you’ve got there!”

Music to the ears, isn’t it, whenever you hear compliments like this. Especially if directed to us Filipinos. That made me wonder. Why are we Filipinos so overly bent on being recognized worldwide?

Of course everyone wants that, to some extent. Who wouldn’t want to be recognized? But there’s something different with us Filipinos. Whatever the field—be that medicine, music, technology—we really hunger for validation, especially from citizens of other countries. There’s that sense of pride and joy whenever we receive compliments and encouragements from foreigners. For many of us, it is validation from the outside that matters.

Not saying that’s wrong. The problem is not with the desire for world-recognition. The problem is that sometimes, we go overboard, to the point of doing the exact opposite of what we were supposed to be doing. Bringing people down instead of building them up. Bashing people because they don’t live up to our standards. Tearing people down before they even start. And then there’s the classic crab mentality. Not to mention that sore point where we can’t seem to agree on our ‘Filipino identity’. Who are we as Filipinos? How do we want to be known to the world? There’s no single, clear-cut answer, which is also why some people—Filipinos, no less—label those trying to get in the global scene as ‘second-rate’ and ‘trying hard’. Well, where would we be if we don’t try hard?

Somehow, I can’t really blame us for being this way. We have had a very long history of colonization and oppression. We have been deemed an inferior race together with some of our neighbors. This racial inequality is not so blatantly seen now, but it is there, and it’s not just for Filipinos. We simply don’t notice it because the signs are subtle, and some of it can be seen in the actions and decisions of so-called ‘world-leaders’. I don’t know if it is something that can ever be fixed. But still, our history and our current state is not an excuse for us to keep biting at each other. The fact remains that we are yet to make a lasting positive mark in the global arena and we cannot do so without changing our perspectives.

Which brings me back to the original question. Why are we so hungry for world-recognition? Do we believe that by being recognized worldwide, we can be part of the ‘in crowd’ and experience the privileges that come with it? Or is it for the simple reason that if this hunger is satisfied, we would feel better about ourselves? Who knows. We have different reasons. On the other hand, we also have to understand why some people are not ‘infected’ by this epidemic. There are those whose sole focus is on the current state of their fellow Filipinos, still enduring the oppressive conditions in our country, whether it be from the government or from the culture and toxic attitudes of the Filipino people themselves. So what if we get known worldwide, yet forget our fellowmen who are suffering in our country, right here, right now?

We all want a better Philippines, that much is true. We just have different ways of working at it. And what with the talent and angst and passion of the Filipino people, this is surely achievable. Not dreaming here, just stating a fact. Hence we don’t stop working at it, no matter how bleak the future seems to be. If only we keep ourselves united by a common passion for our country and our fellowmen. If only we learn to use our differences to fulfill our common goal.

So to all individuals and groups who are working hard to land the Philippines in the global scene, keep at it, and never forget who you’re doing it for. For all of us affected by this epidemic, I just hope that underneath all that hunger for world recognition is a desire to make our country a better place to live in. But there’s only so much the world can do for us. Ultimately, it will be up to ourselves to fix what needs to be fixed.

Change, lasting change, starts from within.