An Educated Filipino Before the American colonization, education was said to be a private concern.

However, the Filipinos culture, social grace, communication skill, and as I may include also, our fashion changed because of the Americans. Our communication improved, people went to public schools, religious freedom was born, traditions and customs had also changed. It was said that their influence had somehow been for the good though some were for the worse. Through the years, our life generally improved for the better and education was then defined as the training of an individual for his duties and responsibilities as a citizen of his country. People became more concerned for the service of the country and not more for himself. With the growth of our culture and economy, education had a new conception for the people. Education was then given for the young and old, women and not only men. Due to the social changes, Francisco Benitez looked back on the question, What qualities should distinguish the educated Filipino of today? he stated that the educated Filipino has the power to do. Meaning, he is able to reflect about his life or philosophies and come up with an action to do. He is considered educated when he is prepared to work for the progress of the state and of the world. The power to do meant that he is productive to support himself and can contribute to the economic development of the Philippines. Though he can do, he may not be educated at the same time. For Francisco, someone who is educated is not only good in the production of economic goods but someone who works at home, school, church and government. He took the mother as an example; he said that when a mother takes care of her children, she is considered to be educated. Next, a Filipino is educated when he is aware of the worlds progress and loves the best ideals and traditions of his race. Lastly, an educated Filipino has refined manners and moral conduct as well as the power of growth. I thank the Americans for imparting education to us as part of being a citizen of your country. Maybe if we were not taught by them, our culture could be different. We were meant to be given the chance to learn through studying in schools, either in public, private or at home. With this blessing that we had, education had been becoming more important to us. Truly, our conception about education changed and improved. But I believe that a Filipino was educated in the beginning. Historians and archaeologists found that Filipinos used leaves to write their messages or ideas. With that evidence, I could say that we were born with the description of educated. We had the power to do because our ancestors knew how to think, how to work in order to eat or simply survive. Our ancestors reflections and philosophies were also evident because in their tribe, they were able to create their language, alphabet, rules and they discovered their world on their own. An educated Filipino is someone who is powerful even without the influence of another race. Many Filipinos have learned to live like those Americans or any race from the west. I observe people who have children speaking in English, wearing imported clothes or eating other cuisines. Some act like they are not Filipinos even they look like one. At some point, some people who have been educated forgot to think that it is important to love our ideals and traditions. We were educated that our language is Wikang Filipino but some are not proud of what we have. He is not fully educated because he uses more another language and acts ignorant about it. Educated for me means that there is knowledge of what is right, wrong and what is good or bad. Usually I hear people say, ano ba yan! Parang walang pinag-aralan!, whenever someone acted rude. I would agree that even if someone is not educated but had good morals, he is already educated. I am proud for Filipinos because we can cope up with the world even if we are considered a third world country. Many educated Filipinos serve not only their own country but also other countries. Many are called heroes who sacrifice to be away from their families just to give education and support. They have the power to do, love of country and good relationships with other races.

Submitted by: Jessa Mae A. Salimbagat