On Jessica and "Proud To Be Pinoy"

It is just quite pathetic that -most- Filipinos just seem to leech on the success of others even if they have the tiniest speck of actually being Filipino. 


Jasmine Trias, Thia Megia.. those women who are remotely even Filipino nationals are suddenly elevated to women "Pinoys" could associate with.


Indeed, they could be proud, and we could admire. But to be actually proud of them - there's something quite off. Perhaps the word "proud" should be looked into before being used in instances like these. Being proud is used to imply being happy, or being highly honored for having something you own recognized. Filipinos do not own Jessica. Philippines doesn't own her either. 


The line "Proud to be pinoy" is just quite absurd as being Filipino is "given". It is what a person born in the Philippines, or born from parents with a Filipino nationality is. Citizenship is determined by either jus solis or jus sanguinis. It is an occurrence. Being a Filipino is not a privilege. It's not even an achievement.


Jessica's talent is something to be renowned. She's really good. But actually associating Jessica's amazing singing skills to her being a "Pinoy" is just wrong.


It's not in the nationality, it's in the skill and discipline.


Things like these turn the Filipino's mind to somewhere else. Instead of focusing on REAL national or international achievement such as clean politics, good governance, rocket science, invention of nuclear power in the PH, an economic breakthrough, etc., most "youths" focus on pop stars, celebrities, all the good non-significant things. 


Psychologically, perhaps (most) of our youth who find no achievement in their real lives look for something to associate with to get a boost in self-esteem. Now, having a (somehow) Filipino come out worldwide is a thing to own, a thing to claim, a personal ideal to imitate and affiliate with. It's the "damay-damay" principle aka, the success of others is your success even if you did nothing to ensure it. One goes up, you follow, and feel better yourself. 


Currently, our political governance is not something to be proud of. Healthcare for women is something to be ashamed of. Our country's Religious hierarchy is laughable and although we're quite getting better in our Police services and Economic picture, we're still incompetent as compared to our neighboring countries. 
I just think we should focus on those to be REALLY proud of what we, as Filipino people, could be capable of.


Just my two cents.