Pretencioso

Pretencioso;

That's what I often noticed about some characters upon reading the novel

Noli Me Tangere. 

It astonished me how these kinds of people already existed in the past. 

People pretending to be what they're not, seemingly hiding behind a shield as if too afraid to show what they really are. 

Number one on the list would, of course, be no other than Donya Victorina; the woman who hides her true self under numerous layers of maquillage and innumerable lies. She pretends to be Spanish when she is clearly a Filipina. 

Similar to how a lot of girls are these days. They pretend to be someone they're not just in order to fit in the crowd. As a girl myself I cannot comprehend why they do such things because I think that in order to blend in and find your own clique or circle, you must really be yourself. 

Although it may not be any of my business since it's their lives anyway, these girls still need to realize that putting on a false front won't get them anywhere. I, too, have tried to alter and amend myself just to be able to assimilate with others, but I never felt happy nor contented about it. I felt as if I was caged up; my true self was bottled up inside of me. That's why I made the decision of showing what I really am and put to mind that if they can't accept who and what I am, then they don't deserve my presence either. 

I'm pretty sure that these girls will soon be conscious of this fact. After all, pretending and acting as someone else or someone new is a phase we all go through at some point in life. 

Let's just hope that this will remain just a phase for everyone.

“Perhaps it's impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be.” 

Hope

"Ang Kabataan ang Kinabukasan ng Bayan"

Dr. Jose Rizal once stated that the future of our nation is in the hands of the children, but will the future ahead of us remain bright with how the youth behaves today? 

We hear news about children and their wrong doings almost everyday. We witness kids doing drugs and committing crimes at a very young age. Teens who lack knowledge about sexual education engaging in unprotected pre-marital sex daily.

With the continuous augmenting rate of teenage pregnancy and school dropouts, will we ever face a bright future? 

It's simultaneously funny and infuriating to think that most kids and teens today don't think of their futures when they will clearly be the ones to suffer from the aftermath.

Should we lose hope?
No.

Yes, we do see some lives slowly deteriorating but our nation shouldn't fall apart so easily. We may witness a few people's beings slowly crumbling and withering, however, I strongly believe that there is still hope remaining for our nation because although what lies ahead may seem a bit gloomy now, we still envision ourselves living a pleasant and happy life in the coming days.

In my perspective, our future is not only contingent on our youth; it can be based off from our countrymen's positive mindsets.

"Habang may buhay, may pag-asa" is one of the many sayings Filipinos live by and as long as we maintain our positive outlook in life, I believe that we can make it.

We can and we will be a better nation.

Modern Day Filipina Women: Does the 'Maria Clara' Concept Still Exist?

Maria Clara, the mestiza heroine in Dr. Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere, has become the embodiment in Filipino culture for the traditional ideal woman.  

Known to be the most beautiful and widely celebrated lady in her hometown San Diego, Maria Clara became an icon for a great deal of young girls. She was always admired and commended for being pure, religious, and reserved.

Although numerous Pinays still resemble her grace, beauty and charm, does a real Maria Clara still exist in modern day Pinays? I say yes, they still do, and are probably better than before. 

Similar to new brands and products coming out in the market, Pinays nowadays are new and improved.

Based on the context of our culture and standards, the Philippines is comprised of strong women although we are defined to be in the sphere of a male-dominated post-colonial Christian society.

Some women may have chosen to take another path, but most Pinays remain loyal to their traditions, beliefs and values that had been passed on from one generation to the next.

Although in contrast to Maria Clara’s demure and reserved demeanor, Pinays living in the present ought to be stronger and more daring.

There will be changes in our society and we cannot do anything but to embrace it and set aside its flaws. Like what they always say, 

nothing in the world is constant except for change.