I am a Filipino, by Carlos P. Romulo

Summary

In 'I Am a Filipino' by Carlos P. Romulo, the speaker passionately claims his Filipino identity, embracing the rich heritage and the responsibility to honor the past and shape the future. He reflects on the land's natural abundance and the resilience of its people, drawing strength from historical heroes and the enduring quest for freedom and democracy. The speech is a call to action, a pledge to continue the struggle for justice and equality, ensuring a legacy of freedom for generations to come.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The speaker identifies as a Filipino, inheriting a rich past and facing an uncertain future, emphasizing the dual responsibility to past and future.
• 🌊 The script paints a vivid picture of the Filipino people as descendants of ancient Malayan seafarers, who braved the seas in search of new lands.
• 🏞 The land is described with reverence, as a place of natural abundance and beauty, a gift from the ancestors to be cherished and preserved.
• 🔥 The narrative highlights the Filipino spirit of courage and defiance, as seen in historical figures like Lapu Lapu and Emilio Aguinaldo.
• 💪 The speaker's pride in Filipino heritage is underscored by the mention of heroes and their acts of valor, symbolizing the strength and resilience of the nation.
• 🌱 The 'immortal seed' metaphor is used to represent the enduring spirit of the Filipino people, suggesting continuity and the potential for growth and renewal.
• 🌅 The script speaks of the Filipino identity as a child of both East and West, embodying a unique blend of cultural influences and traditions.
• 🌐 The speaker acknowledges the global interconnectedness, stating that no nation is an island and that the fate of all humanity is intertwined.
• 🗽 The vision of democracy, justice, equality, and freedom is presented as an aspiration for the Filipino people, driving the speaker's commitment to these ideals.
• 🏆 The speaker pledges to strive for the realization of freedom in the Filipino inheritance, for current and future generations, reflecting a deep sense of duty and hope.
• 🎖 The final pledge is a tapestry woven from the voices and experiences of the Filipino people, from the labor of farmers to the march of soldiers, symbolizing unity and collective effort.

Q & A

Who is the author of the speech 'I Am a Filipino'?

The speech 'I Am a Filipino' is authored by Carlos P. Romulo.

What is the central theme of the speech?

The central theme of the speech is the speaker's identity as a Filipino, his connection to the past, and his responsibility towards the future.

What does the speaker inherit from his ancestors?

The speaker inherits a glorious past, a rich land, and the spirit of courage and defiance from his ancestors.

What is the significance of the land to the speaker?

The land is significant to the speaker as it represents the heritage of his people, the fruits of their labor, and the promise of a prosperous future.

What historical figures are mentioned in the speech, and why are they important?

Historical figures like Lapu Lapu, La Cantula, Jagocila, Gohoi, Joseph Sal, Bonifacio, Del Pilar, Antonio Luna, Emilio Dinaldo, and Manuel El Quezon are mentioned as symbols of heroism, resistance, and the struggle for freedom and independence.

What does the speaker mean by 'the seed of heroes' in his veins?

The 'seed of heroes' refers to the inherited courage and spirit of resistance that flows in the speaker's blood, connecting him to his ancestors' legacy of bravery.

How does the speaker describe his cultural identity?

The speaker describes his cultural identity as a child of the marriage of the East and the West, embodying the language, mysticism, passivity, and endurance of the East, as well as the vigor and progress of the West.

What does the speaker see as the role of the Filipino in the world?

The speaker sees the Filipino as a vital part of the global community, actively participating in the struggle for liberation and contributing to the progress of the world.

What is the speaker's pledge to his inheritance?

The speaker's pledge is to continue the legacy of his forebears, to strive for freedom and democracy, and to ensure that these values are passed down to future generations.

What does the speaker mean by 'the mighty fabric of my pledge'?

The 'mighty fabric of my pledge' symbolizes the speaker's commitment woven from the diverse elements of Filipino life, including the labor of farmers, the industry of workers, the resilience of the people, and the collective voice of the nation.

How does the speaker express his dedication to the future of the Philippines?

The speaker expresses his dedication by vowing to work tirelessly for the freedom and prosperity of his country, ensuring that these values are part of the inheritance for his children and their descendants.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Legacy and Identity of a Filipino

Carlos P. Romulo's 'I Am a Filipino' is a profound reflection on the Filipino identity and heritage. The speaker acknowledges being an inheritor of a proud past and a bearer of a future filled with uncertainty. He emphasizes the dual responsibility to honor the past and to shape the future. The narrative is filled with imagery of ancient Malayan seafarers, the land's natural wealth, and the historical figures who have fought for freedom and dignity. The speaker identifies with the blood of heroes and the immortal seed of courage that has shaped the Filipino spirit, from Lapu Lapu to Manuel L. Quezon. This paragraph is a declaration of the speaker's deep connection to the land and its history, and a commitment to uphold the legacy of his ancestors.

05:01

🌏 The Filipino's Global Perspective and Resolve

In the second paragraph, Romulo shifts the focus from the past to the present, acknowledging the impact of global events on the Filipino people. He recognizes that the tranquility of the past has been shattered by the chaos of war and conflict, and that no nation is an island unto itself. The speaker sees himself as part of a global community where choices made by individuals and nations have far-reaching consequences. Despite being perceived as a lone figure by some, he remains undeterred and inspired by the ideals of justice, equality, and freedom. Romulo pledges to strive for democracy and to ensure that these values are ingrained in the Filipino land and people. The paragraph concludes with a powerful promise to weave a fabric of commitment from the voices of the Filipino people, vowing to rest only when freedom is secured for future generations.

Keywords

💡Filipino

Filipino refers to a person from the Philippines or someone of Filipino descent. In the script, it is used to express the speaker's identity and the pride in their heritage. It is central to the theme of the video as it sets the stage for the exploration of Filipino history, culture, and aspirations.

💡Inheritance

Inheritance in this context is both a literal and figurative term referring to the land and the cultural legacy passed down through generations. It is a key concept in the video, symbolizing the speaker's connection to their ancestors and the responsibility to preserve and build upon the legacy they have received.

💡Malayan

Malayan refers to the indigenous people of the Philippine archipelago before the arrival of foreign influences. The term is used in the script to evoke a sense of ancient roots and to highlight the deep historical connection the speaker feels to the land and its first inhabitants.

💡Hope

Hope is a central theme in the video, representing the aspirations and dreams of the Filipino people for a better future. It is used to describe the spirit of the early settlers who ventured across seas in search of new opportunities and the ongoing pursuit of freedom and happiness.

💡Courage

Courage is highlighted as a defining characteristic of the Filipino spirit, exemplified through historical figures who fought for freedom and justice. In the script, it is used to draw a line from the bravery of ancient warriors to the modern struggle for national identity and self-determination.

💡Rebellion

Rebellion in the script signifies the resistance against foreign oppression and the fight for independence. It is an important concept that underscores the determination of the Filipino people to assert their rights and reject subjugation.

💡Democracy

Democracy is presented as an ideal and a goal for the Filipino people, symbolizing justice, equality, and freedom. The script uses the term to express the speaker's vision for a future where democratic principles guide the nation's governance and society.

💡East and West

The terms 'East' and 'West' are used to describe the cultural and historical influences shaping the Filipino identity. The script discusses the fusion of Eastern traditions and Western ideas, emphasizing the unique blend that defines the Filipino people and their place in the world.

💡Liberation

Liberation is a recurring theme in the video, referring to the quest for political independence and spiritual freedom from colonial and imperialist powers. It is used to convey the historical and ongoing struggle of the Filipino people to assert their autonomy and control over their destiny.

💡Pledge

Pledge in the script represents a solemn promise or commitment. It is used to express the speaker's dedication to uphold the values and aspirations of the Filipino people, to work towards a future of freedom and prosperity for generations to come.

💡Freedom

Freedom is a core value and the ultimate goal expressed in the video. It is used to encapsulate the desire for national sovereignty, individual liberties, and the pursuit of a life unencumbered by oppression. The script emphasizes the speaker's resolve to secure freedom as part of the Filipino inheritance.

Highlights

Filipinos are inheritors of a glorious past and bearers of an uncertain future, tasked with meeting responsibilities to both past and future.

The speaker hails from a hearty race of Malayan pioneers, whose memory and spirit are deeply rooted in the land.

Filipinos are born of a land sought and found by their ancestors, a land that has been their home for centuries.

The land is hallowed by the strength of the people's hearts and hands, and by every rite of law, both human and divine.

The land's natural resources, from fertile soil to abundant seas, are a source of pride and wealth.

The speaker's bloodline is traced back to heroes and warriors, whose courage and defiance echo through the ages.

Filipinos carry the immortal seed of their ancestors, a mark of their manhood and dignity as a human being.

The speaker identifies as a child of the marriage between the East and the West, embodying both cultures' strengths.

The East's language, mysticism, and endurance, along with the West's vigor and progress, shape the Filipino identity.

Filipinos are called to participate in the East's struggle for liberation and to embrace the West's contributions to progress.

The speaker acknowledges the interconnectedness of the world, where no nation is an island and all are part of the main.

Filipinos stand at the vanguard of progress, striving for justice, equality, and freedom for all mankind.

The speaker pledges to work tirelessly for democracy and to ensure that these ideals are realized in the Philippines.

The pledge is a commitment to the joyous cries of forebears, the battle cries of warriors, and the voices of the people.

Filipinos are born to freedom and will not rest until freedom is secured for themselves and future generations.

The speaker weaves the fabric of his pledge from the songs, labors, and aspirations of the Filipino people.

The pledge is a testament to the enduring spirit and collective will of the Filipino nation.

Transcripts

i am a filipino by carlos b

romulo i am a filipino

inheritor of a glorious past

hostage to the uncertain future

as such i must prove equal to a twofold

task

the task of meeting my responsibility to

the past

and the task of performing my obligation

to the future

i sprung from a hearty race child many

generations removed of ancient malayan

bioneers

across the centuries the memory comes

rushing back to me

of brown-skinned men putting out sea

in ships that were as frail as their

hearts were stout

over the sea i see them come born

upon the billowing wave and the

whistling wind

carried upon the mighty swell of hope

hope and the free abundance of new land

that was to be their home and their

children's

forever this is the land

they sought and found every inch of

shore

the ice first set upon

every hill and mountain that beckoned to

them

with a green and purple invitation

every mile of rolling plain that their

view and compass

every river and lake that promised a

plentiful living

and the fruitfulness of commerce is

hallowed spot to me

by the strength of their hearts and

hands

by every rite of law human and divine

just land and all the oppertnesses

thereof

the black and fertile soil the seas and

lakes and rivers stemming with fish

the forests with their inexhaustible

wealth in wildlife

and timber the mountains with their boas

swollen with minerals

the whole of this rich and happy land

has been

for centuries without number the land of

my fathers

this land i received interest from them

and

entrust will pass up to my children

and so on until the world is no more

i am a filipino in my blood runs

the mortal seed of heroes seed that

flower down the centuries in deeds of

courage

and defiance and my veins yet poses

the same hot blood that sent lapu lapu

to battle

against the first invader of this land

that nerved la cantula in the combat

against

the alien foe that drove jagocila

and the gohoi into rebellion against the

foreign oppressor

that seed is immortal it is the

self-same seed

that flowered in the heart of joseph sal

that morning in bhagambayan

when a volume of shots put an end to all

that was mortal of him

and made his spirit deathless forever

the same that flowered in the hearts of

bonifacio in balintawak

of del pilar a tireless

of antonio luna

that bloomed in flowers of frustration

in the sad heart of emilio dinaldo

and yet burst forth royally again in the

proud heart

of manuel el quezon when he stood at

last

on the threshold of ancient malacanang

palace

in the symbolic act of possession and

racial vindication

the sea they bear within me is an

immortal seed

it is the mark of my manhood the symbol

of dignity as a human being

like the seeds there were once buried in

the top of the thunk hammond

man thousand years ago it shall grow and

flower

and bear food again it is the insignia

of my race

and my generation is but a stage in the

unending search of my people

for freedom and happiness i

am a filipino child of the marriage of

the east

and the west the east with its language

and mysticism

its passivity and endurance was my

mother

and my sire was the west that came

thundering across the seas with a grass

and sword and the machine

i am of the east an eager participant in

its spirit

and its struggles for liberation from

the imperialist

yoke but i also know that the east was

awake from its centuried sleep

shake off the lethargy that has bound

his limbs

and start moving where destiny awaits

for i too am of the west

and the vigorous peoples of the west

have destroyed forever

and the peace and quiet that once

were ours i can longer leave

a being apart from those whose world now

trembles through the roar of bomb

and cannon shaft i cannot say of a

matter of universal life

and death of freedom and slavery for all

mankind

that it concerns me not for no man a no

nation is an island

but a part of the main there is no

longer any east

and west only individuals and nations

making those momentous choices which are

the hinges upon

which history resolves

at the vanguard of progress in this part

of the world

i stand a forlorn figure in the eyes of

some

but not one defeated and lost four

through the thick interlacing branches

of habit and custom above me

i have seen the light of the sun and i

know

that it is good i have seen the light of

justice and equality and freedom

my heart has been lifted by the vision

of democracy

and i shall not rest until my land and

my people

shall have been blessed by these

beyond the power of any man or nation to

subvert

or destroy i am a filipino

and this is my inheritance what pledge

shall i give that i may prove worthy of

my inheritance

i shall give the pledge that has come

ringing down the corridors of the

centuries

and it shall be compounded of the joyous

cries of my malign forebears

when first they saw the contours of this

land loom

before their eyes of the battle cries

that have resounded in every field of

combat from octant to tyrant bass of

the voices of my people when they sing

land of the morning child of the sun

returning

near shall invaders trample thy

sacred shore out of the lush

green of these 7 000 aisles

out of the heart strings of 60 million

people

all vibrating to one song i shall weave

the mighty fabric of my pledge

out of the songs of the farmers at

sunrise when they go to labor

in the fields out of the sweat of the

heart beaten pioneers in malig

and coronado out of the silent endurance

of steve dwars

at beers and the ominous grumbling of

peasants in pampanga

out of the first cries of babies newly

born and the lullabies the mothers

sing out of the crashing of gears and

the wine of turbines in the factories

out of the crash of closed shares

turning the earth

out of the limitless patience of

teachers and the classrooms and doctors

and the clinics out of the trap of

soldiers

marching i shall make the pattern of my

pledge

i am filipino born to freedom and i

shall not rest

until freedom shall have been added unto

my inheritance

for myself and my children and my

children's

children forever

i am a filipino by carlos p romelo