PROUD TO BE PINOY (or this case, PINAY)

YABANG PINOY:
Ipagyabang na ikaw ay Pilipino
by Aimee Marcos

“Huwag mong hayaang ganito bigyan ang sarili ng respeto. (Don’t leave it this way, give yourself respect)”.

This line comes from one of the greatest songs that I believe that has ever been written: Para sa Masa by the Eraserheads. A big music fan, I believe that Eraserheads was (and in my opinion IS) the best band the Philippines had to offer music and the world. They brought together the sounds of the latest musical innovations overseas and put our Filipino humor and characteristics into it, creating great anthems of songs that even today still enjoy the popularity that they once had, if not more. Unintentionally, the Eraserheads’ line in this song has somehow described a cause that is now starting to slowly pick up momentum.

Causes, charities and musical events are hardly strangers to one another. There have been the “ONE” and “Make Poverty History” campaigns of last year to promote and put pressure on the world’s eight mightiest nations to decrease the debt in Africa and help with the relief efforts in that continent. There were Live 8 concerts that simultaneously happened in different countries throughout the world where headlining bands and artists performed for nothing. And before that, there was the movement of Lance Armstrong to “Live Strong”, a foundation to empower people with cancer to not give up and to keep on going.

These movements reverberated throughout the world, caught everyone’s attention and became a ‘trend’ (complete with the baller rubber bracelets as merchandise). There is now a trend catching up here to help different organizations with their different causes. People are starting to see that charity and helping people out do not have to be boring or just filled with speeches. Indeed, it seems that the less that is said, the more seems to get done.

Because of this inspiration, in November 2005 the "Yabang Pinoy" Filipino Pride campaign started. It was initiated by a group of young nationalistic Pinoys who are also part of the Children's Environmental Awareness and Action Foundation (www.ceaaf.com). They were tired of blaming the government, foreigners, the past and just generally pointing fingers at everyone else for all the problems we have and for the current status of our country. The group wanted to send the message across that in order for our country to progress, it is vital that each and every Filipino must take pride in who they are, which is first and foremost FILIPINO.

It is with the belief that being a shouting proud Pinoy will hopefully translate into actions that will encourage and support of one’s fellow Pinoys, and ultimately, themselves. In the advent of globalization, it is critical that our small and medium enterprises, Pinoy talents, and Pinoy products become globally competitive. This can be done if our 80 million Filipinos start consuming Pinoy products and talents. Imagine 80 million Pinoys consuming Pinoy products and supporting Pinoy talents---who else to help out the Pinoy but the Pinoy themselves?

The goal of the “Yabang Pinoy” campaign is to unite the Filipino people in believing in themselves and in their fellow Filipinos. The organization realized that this lack of belief is one of the gravest problems faced by the Philippines today; it manifests as Filipinos not believing in the achievements of their countrymen, perhaps not knowing them, and doubting their identity.

On that note, the organizers of the Yabang Pinoy campaign seek to be anonymous because the Yabang Pinoy - Filipino Pride campaign in owned by each and every Filipino.

There are many prominent advocates of this movement, namely: Bam Aquino, host of Breakfast on channel 23 and former Chairman of the National Youth Commission; Cesar Sarino; Senator Pia Cayetano; filmmaker Lino Cayetano; Pinoy Big Brother contestant and TV host Bianca Gonzales; musician Noel Cabangon; Medwin Malfe of True Faith; Ani de Leon, tri-athlete in the SEA games; Risa Hontiveros- Baraquel; Leo Oracion who is part of the Mt. Everest team; Filipino Artist Raymond Halili; writer Tals Diaz and actor TJ Trinidad.

One way of showcasing their participation is to incorporate their own version of the rubber ‘baller’ bracelet---but instead using a piece of braided abaca band that aims to make a statement, raise awareness and heighten Filipino people’s ethos, dignity and pride. The abaca band aims to signify a Filipino people who is truly proud to be one. Abaca, commonly known as the Manila hemp worldwide, belongs to the family of Musacea, which is indigenous to the Philippines. It is important to note that the Philippines is the largest source of abaca fiber. It is also considered as the strongest natural fiber. Abaca used to be one of our top exports together with sugar and tobacco.

Since abaca is unique to the Philippines, it aims to constantly remind Filipinos that we are tough, resilient and exceptional.

The most recent event of the Yabang Pinoy movement is the Sigaw Ni Maria Clara concert held at the back of the Mall of Asia on April 29th. They also held the “Chillax” event at Paseo Parkview Poolside for the benefit of the Children’s Environmental Awareness and Action Foundation (CEAAF). Bianca Gonzalez featured them on Celebrity Pinoy Big Brother by distributing the bracelets to her housemates. The movement is also featured now in Manual Magazine for May.

At a time wherein belief in oneself could not be more needed, this movement serves as a remembrance to how far we’ve come as a people, to remember who we are because of it, to see all the different things that make us who we are, and the potential of how much further we can go.

For more information, please visit www.yabangpinoy.com and you too can be part of this movement of collective national pride that is long overdue.