Write a reflection paper on "What is an Educated Filipino".
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Write a reflection paper on "What is an Educated Filipino".
Transcribed Image Text:What Is an Educated Filipino?
Francisco Benitez
Great changes have taken place in the nature of our social life during the last twenty
years. The contact with Americans and their civilization has modified many of our old social
customs, traditions, and practices, some for the worse and many for the better. The means of
communication have improved, and therefore better understanding exists among the different
sections in our country. Religious freedom has developed religious tolerance in our people. The
growth of the public schools and the establishment of democratic institutions have developed our
national consciousness both in strength and in solidarity
With this growth of national consciousness and national spirit among our people, we
witness the corresponding rise of a new conception of education - the training of the individual
for the duties and privileges of a citizen not only for his own happiness and efficiency, but for
national service and welfare as well. In the old days, education was matter of private concern;
now it is public function, and the state not only has the duty but has the right as well to educate
every member of the community as well as the young, women as well as men – not only for the
good of the individual but also for the self-preservation and self-protection of the state itself. Our
modern public school system has been established as a safeguard against the shortcomings and
dangers of a democratic government and democratic institutions.
In the light of social changes, we come to the question: What qualities should distinguish
the educated Filipino of today? I venture to suggest that the educated Filipino should first be
distinguished by the power to do. The Oriental excels in reflective thinking; he is a philosopher.
The Occidental is a doer; he manages things, men, and affairs. The Filipino of today needs more
of this power to translate reflection into action, I believe that we are coming more and more to the
conviction that no Filipino has the right to be considered educated unless he is prepared to take
an active and useful part in the work, life, and progress of our country as well as in the progress
of the world.
The power to do embraces the ability to produce enough to support oneself and to
contribute to the economic development of the Philippines. Undoubtedly, a man may be, and
often is, an efficient producer of economic goods and at the same time he may not be educated.
But should we consider a man who is utterly unable to support himself and is an economic
burden to the society in which he lives educated merely because he possesses the superficial
graces of culture? I hope that no one will understand me as saying that the only sign of economic
efficiency is the ability to produce material goods, for useful social participation may take the
form of any of the valuable services rendered to society through such institutions as the home,
the school, the church, and the government. The mother, for example, who prepares wholesome
meals, takes good care of her children, and trains them in moral and right conduct at home –
she renders efficient service to the country as well as does the statesman or the captain of
industry. I would not make the power to do the final and only test of the educated Filipino: but I
believe that in our present situation, it is fundamental and basic.
The educated Filipino, in the second place, should be distinguished not only by his
knowledge of the past and of current events in the world's progress but also especially by his
knowledge of his race, his people, and his country, and his love of the truths and ideals that our
people have learned to cherish. Our character, our culture, and our national history are the core
of our national life and, consequently, of our education. I would not have the educated Filipino
ignore the culture and history of other lands, but can he afford to be ignorant of the history and
culture of his own country and yet call himself educated?
The educated Filipino, in third place, must have ingrained in his speech and conduct
those elements that are everywhere recognized as accompaniments of culture and morality, so
that, possessing the capacity for self-entertainment and study, he may not beat the mercy of the
pleasure of the senses or a burden to himself when alone.
There are, then, at least three characteristics which I believe to be the evidence of the
educated Filipino
(1) the power to do, to support himself.
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