28 February 2024
I have decided to write a short blog for Filipino Thrive, a new events website supporting Filipino events in the UK. Like my own website way back and before the social media generation we all live in, Fil-Event.com, Filipino Thrive is plugging a much needed gap in the Filipino events scene.
It’s an absolute honour for me to have been invited to contribute to this excellent website and content.
I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce my advocacies and insights into Filipinos and what for me makes them so special and admirable. Maraming Salamat po!
Now here’s my top 5:
1) Filipinos are always hospitable and always make great hosts at any party.
When you get invited to a Filipino house or party, there is always an abundance of food and a warm welcome!!! That’s regardless of whatever time you happen to arrive!!! The first question will always be, Have you eaten? Filipinos CARE about hospitality and always put their guests first, even before themselves in fact!!!
2) Filipinos are hard working.
There is no such thing as unemployment benefits in the Philippines or state support like in the UK for those out of work, meaning to say that Filipinos have an ingrained sense of work and duty. For those back home who don’t have a regular job, you would even find some who would maybe help park cars or sell snacks on buses, cook street foods etc all to make a living. Filipinos are very resourceful indeed and will always find a way to better their situation.
3) Filipinos are caring and compassionate.
From my experience of knowing and indeed working with Filipinos for many years, particularly in healthcare, I can say that I am still a passionate supporter of Filipino nurses, carers and other medical staff who I know go to extraordinary lengths to care for others. They also do so with such passion, commitment, skill and dedication.
I can say without doubt that we are incredibly lucky and fortunate here in the UK as well as other countries where there are Filipino workers to have such a dedicated, committed and highly skilled workforce to support us throughout our lives. It goes without saying that I am also incredibly grateful to ALL such workers regardless of nationality, but as this article is about Filipinos, they deserve a special mention for their wonderful attributes.
4) Filipinos are resilient
From my own personal experience and perspective of being married to a Filipina for over a quarter of a century, I can say categorically that Filipinos will always find a way to make it through. Even during the most difficult times, Filipinos will always look at every situation with positivity and resolve and basically carry on with life, always finding a way regardless of whatever situation they encounter, Filipinos will find a way, come what may and I believe have great resolve.
5) Filipinos are very family oriented and respectful of elders.
Throughout most of my adult life, I have always found Filipinos to be very family orientated. I know how important families are to every Filipino. This is the primary reason why there are more than 11 million OFWs or overseas Filipino workers in just about every country on earth. These are Filipinos who choose to migrate or work abroad to support their loved ones or families back home in the Philippines. The vast majority of Filipinos then send back home money each month to provide vital support to their families. I believe this is to be applauded and respected. This is the ultimate sacrifice to support and better the lives of ones family back home.
With this comes the responsibility of looking after or helping parents, siblings and other relatives even for those Filipinos who do not end up abroad and stay in the Philippines, I know from personal experience and insight just important elders are to all Filipinos, in fact the terms of endearments of Kuya and Ate, (older brother and sister) Nanay and Tatay (mother and father) and Lola and Lolo (grandmother and grandmother) in Filipino refer not only to immediate family members, but also extend to anyone older than the person using such terms, meaning to say that respect of elders by Filipinos is deeply ingrained in the Filipino language and indeed attitude towards others. This I believe makes Filipinos one of the most passionate, caring and deeply respectful of family and indeed others in the world.
Malcolm Conlan is a British national, living in London, married to a Filipina from Pangasinan, with two grown up children. Malcolm has been an active member of the Filipino community in the UK for close to three decades. As well as being passionate about the Philippines and her people,
Malcolm has a keen interest in social media as an influencer supporting many Filipinos through the years via Facebook and other such mediums.
Malcolm wishes to congratulate Filipino Thrive on their hard work in the community for all Filipinos.