I AM FILIPINO

I would like to share this wonderful poem written by Alexander L. Lacson, a man who's vision is set to change how Filipinos view themselves. Enjoy reading it!

I AM FILIPINO

I am Filipino, a child of the One God who is the Creator of all that is in our world and the universe. 

I am Filipino. I am as perfect and as beautiful as my Creator planned and wanted me to be, for my God created me in His image, out of His perfect love.

I am Filipino, a beloved child of God, like everyone else in our world, and no less than the stars above and anyone else below. As such, I have equal right and claim to all the beauty and bounty that God provided in my country and in the world.

I am Filipino. My Creator planted and destined me on a specific spot on earth, where the sun always shines, in an archipelago of 7,107 beautiful islands, which the whole world calls the "Pearl of the Orient".

I am Filipino. Pilipinas is the home God gave to me and my people. This is the land of my birth. This is the soil of my life. It shall be the resting place of my bones.

I am Filipino. The beauty and richness of my country lured many mighty powers of the world to invade our shores. So today, my blood is a mixture of the best and finest of the west and the east. My mind is an heir to all the great thoughts and values of the west, and the great virtues and principles of the east. My heart beats the romanticism of the west and the passion of the east.

I am Filipino. Today, my country is home to many tongues and cultures, to many colors and faiths. Today, my country is home to all types of peoples who come from various corners of the earth, and who try to live with each other, in an atmosphere of liberty and harmony.

I am Filipino. My Creator destined me to belong to a smaller part of humanity – the Filipino family. I am therefore a brethren, a kapatid, to anyone and everyone who is Filipino, whoever, wherever, and whatever he or she may be in our world.

I am Filipino. You will know me by the word "po" in my sentences. You will know my children by their "mano po", our tradition of children paying respect and honor to their parents and elders. You will know me by my sunny smile that is always on my face. You will know me by the warmth of my hospitality. But most important of all, you will know me by my loving and caring heart when you are in need of my help, even if you are a stranger.

I am Filipino. I belong to the family of humanity. I am therefore a kapatid to all the men and women of our world. I am a brethren of all Christians, of all Muslims, of all Jews, of all Buddhists, of all Hindus, and all other peoples whose faiths lie somewhere else.

I am Filipino. I am who I am today because of the role God wants me to play.

I am Filipino. My Creator made me exactly the way I am, so I can sow God's seeds of love in many parts of the world, so I can help humankind live more harmoniously as one family, so I can help the world become a better place for all humanity.

I am Filipino. God planted the seeds of beauty and greatness in me, for He truly wants me to great and beautiful, for God truly wants me to add more beauty and greatness to our world.

I am Filipino. I am a faithful child of God. And truly, the world is yet to see the full measure of the beauty and greatness of the Filipino. For truly, the world is yet to see what God can do to a child fully committed to Him.

I am Filipino. As a child of God, I am here, all too willing to lend my life, to help build a better country for my Filipino family, and a better world for all humanity.

I am Filipino.



By Alexander L. Lacson
Author, National Bestselling Book
"12 Little Things Filipinos Can Do To Help Our Country"