Remembering Our Strength: Rekindling the Filipino Bayanihan Spirit

​by: Nathaniel A. Saquiban

The nation of the Philippines is an archipelagic country composed of 7,641 islands based on the new count of National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.  It consists of 112 ethnolinguistic groups who comprise nearly 15% of the total population of the country according to a case study made by David E. De Vera, Executive Director of Philippine Association of Intercultural Development Inc. These facts show our diversity in many aspects such as, among others, cultures, traditions, beliefs, practices, customs, and dialects. Despite of all these, we are one nation under God. We work together as one and we care for one another.  We still embody the Bayanihan spirit by helping one another most especially in times of calamity or disaster, without expecting anything in return. Besides, there are intermarriages among different tribes and ethnic groups. 

The above is what we are known for. It is who we really are. It is our nature. It is our foundational trait. However, our distinct and admirable characteristic is marred by the social ill of division and factionalism due to political partisanship and other contributory factors. Sometimes, either in local or national scenario, those in the present administration does not support those who were in opposition. As a result, there are regional maldevelopment or underdevelopment and unequal distribution of wealth. There is lack of development in the countryside while there is too much industrialization in cities. Thus, there is too much congestion in highly urbanized areas due to increasing population and heavy traffic condition.
Let us therefore bridge this gap and uphold the value of interdependence. We are like one body of different parts that are dependent to one another. As the Scriptures have said, “…the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’” The same is true with us, an Ilocano cannot say to the Ilonggo, “I have no need of you” or a Cebuano cannot say to an Ibanag, “I have no need of you”. We all need one another, and we must work together for the good of our country.

In an office or agency, the same principle applies. Let us note that even before we express our dependency on one another, we are already made interdependent by our work. Most of our duties are interdependent. A task needs to be accomplished first before another task can be done. In so doing, we are forced to coordinate and collaborate. We should therefore duly consider our colleagues whose tasks are dependent on our accomplishments. We do our part diligently so that they may not also be unduly restrained, and the public will not also be denied services that should be extended promptly and adequately.
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In like manner in a bigger picture particularly sharing of resources in the country. There should be a sharing of resources among different geographical areas to realize a wider range of development. Selfishness is not our trait. Massive distribution of wealth, skills, knowledge, and expertise should be our constant practice. Without interdependence, there will be a delay in the delivery of social services. There will always be somebody who will be put to disadvantaged. Far be it from us. “Kapit bisig tayo; tayo ay Filipino”.