Critical Commentary for Indigenous Theoretical Tradition

            Establishing Indigenous Filipino theories is a huge step towards the promotion of our own. Focusing on own voices, own and other thoughts, and other local authors and sources, we may be able to develop and strengthen native ideas, without the influence of the other. What is lacking in the Philippine culture is, even though we are used to the norms and traditions, we still have no sense of protecting the country from the dominant groups in terms of embracing all of what the Philippine culture offers. Since the colonizers have given us the privilege and freedom to be exposed to their products, medium of communication, and the like, our standard of intelligence is diverted as well. Nowadays, if a particular person is fluent in speaking in English, he/she is smart. On the other hand, if he/she is fluent in speaking in Filipino, it is just average and does not even recognized by the public. This is already burying what should be expected of as notions in mind to Filipinos as citizens of the country.

            Transforming the meaning of negative stereotypes serves as a motivation among Filipinos to dwell on the positive side. Taking Bahala na and talangka mentality as an example, the notion of saying Bahala na as having an attitude of laziness since a person does not finalize things and just goes on with the flow could be reinterpreted as determination and risk taking, and a way of pumping courage into one’s system so that one does not buckle down in the face of formidable obstacles. Talangka mentality, which is defined as someone who is selfish, and who wants his fellowmen stay in the ground could be described as a call for community members to acknowledge their indebtedness to others and to work for the good of the entire community and not just for themselves.

            I believe that strengthening such theories could be a tool in the formation of the real identity of Filipinos. Besides the international setting, we always familiarize ourselves with a regionalistic attitude. This is now the time to be identified not as an Ilocano, but as a Filipino. This is now the time to be identified as a promoter of native products, not the branded ones made in the other parts of the world. Personally, if I will be given a choice to pursue my career using just the Filipino language, I will definitely do it and further enhance my ability in conversing. However, as modernity suggests, a universal foreign language is indeed significant with regard to relations with others. It may not be eradicated but still, when it comes to the encounter with fellow Filipinos in our land, we are the ones who should be spreading the heart of our own language.