What really makes the true Filipino? What ideology should we stand for to keep us closest to the reality of our identity? Who among us could still proudly say that we still take pride of our Filipino heritage while in the midst of the worst political condition, poverty, economic instability, irreconcilable convictions, worst calamities, etc.

Introspection is inevitable. Here below are nuggets of wisdom from some of our biggest celebrities who have responded to our forum, "are you proud to be a Filipino? Why, and how?"

Some answers made us take a harder look at our condition, some made us even shed a tear of frustration, but overall, the forum satisfied a deeper longing of the soul to take pride in being a Filipino. Hope is there because there is a just God who is in control of our very situation.

Read on:

"In spite of how the Filipino is deemed by many nowadays, yes, I am proud to be a Filipino. I am not proud of how some of my countrymen have been conducting themselves, especially some in government. But I love my country and have faith in the Filipino’s strengths, abilities, resilience, and faith in the Almighty. Kahit saan sa mundo, magaling tayo. We are basically a caring people. Our smiles and warmth are genuine. And we are smart and talented. Kulang sa bansa natin nga lang opportunities, kaya madaming magaling sa atin ang umaalis. Sayang. We should get down on our knees and pray." — Sharon Cuneta

"Yes, I’m proud and confused. I’m proud simply because we still have a world boxing champion like Manny Pacquiao. I’m proud we are the only third world country to have a great huge number of shopping malls. Strange though. By the way, we are third world, two steps more and we are No. 1, first and champion. Ha ha ha! I’m proud because Filipinos are so flexible. We can make any profession turn into a Nurse. Even doctors become nurses. Sad though. Lastly, about 70 percent of us 80 million Filipinos seem to know how to run this country. But I am still confused. Apparently, nobody is qualified." — Cesar Montano

"I am definitely proud to be a Filipino. Many view our passion and zeal in a bad light but these traits are in fact our greatest assets. They contribute to our race’s resiliency that got us through the colonization of three superpowers, and the various trials we continue to face. Without a doubt, I am sure the Philippines will emerge triumphant in our goals." — Sen. Bong Revilla, Jr.

"I am extremely proud to be Filipino! I have always been. Why? Because never in my lifetime I have ever met a people that strive on surviving. People who know more about politics than the politicians. People who can turn garbage or memories of a calamity into a commodity. People who can sing, dance, act, model, punch, knock out, win, lose, win again, paint, sculpt, write, design, build, tear down, and build again. No one does it, takes it, fixes it, tolerates it like the Filipino. I am proud to be but ever prouder to be amongst Filipinos. Throw it our way, I dare you, we will survive. We will prevail. We will be the envy of the world if I had my way!" — Martin Nievera

"Of course I am proud to be a Filipino because of the few I’ve had the honor to encounter who at all times strive to make their country a little better, their fellows a little happier. It shames me that the supposedly best and brightest in power, as exemplified by the incumbent president that I voted for ceaselessly strive to elevate self and kin to the ranks of the fabulously rich and unabashedly corrupt. I am ashamed of having as a countryman the prayerful widow who deigns to ask the President to make the supreme sacrifice by stepping down, while she can’t even begin to relinquish an hacienda to its rightful owners. I’m ashamed of the unrepentant gangster who in his arrogance and power-drunkenness had the gall to blatantly blow our taxes and loans on mistresses and high living. I’m ashamed even as I still harbor hopes for my country. I know there are good ones out there." — Director Lore Reyes

"I am very proud to be a Filipino. Ours is a blessed race with rare talents and gifted with intelligence. We are hardworking and we are great survivors of very testing times. We are resilient. I take pride in beautiful places our country has and our incomparable hospitality." — Kuh Ledesma

"Our country has gone through a lot all throughout history but we are still here, standing proud. We are a very loving nation even if we don’t see eye to eye on some issues. Despite the problems, we all still manage to enjoy life and we know that we can get over all the trials. I am very proud to be a Filipino! No matter what happens, the Philippines will always be home for me. I know that God will bless our nation and redeem us." — Franco Laurel

"YES! And I will always be proud to be a Filipino. However, I am so ashamed of those people whose life’s ambition is to make the government fail, ruin the country, topple the president, and grab power in the guise of prayers and democracy. They do not deserve to be called citizens of the Republic." — John Lesaca

"I sincerely want to, but I don’t know how and why." — Arnel Ignacio

"Yes, I’m still proud because we always survive. I think that is something to be truly proud of." — Regine Velasquez

"Yes, I’m proud to be Filipino. Because even the strongest blows that hit us, still they can’t stop or put us down. We’re very resilient." — Diether Ocampo

"When I remember the stories of Lapu-Lapu, Dagohoy, Diego and Gabriela Silang, Gomburza, Rizal, Ninoy Aquino, yes I am proud to be a Filipino. When my daughters (ages 4 and 1) and I, put our lives at stake on Edsa 20 years ago, yes I am proud to be a Filipino. It’s the only country where I am a first-class citizen. Now, after joining Edsa 2 and being governed by Mrs. Arroyo and all her sipsips, I’m having second thoughts. Should I still be proud of being a Filipino having helped install an administration that has become even worse than Marcos? But listening to Susan Roces, Guingona, Binay, Escudero, Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Joel Villanueva, Randy David, Satur Ocampo, and other so-called left-leaning-pro people representatives, I believe again in what Ninoy said, "the Filipino is worth dying for." I am once again proud to be Filipino, one of the many children of the true living God who is destined to serve Him here in Asia; the country where He planted the seed of Christianity 400 ago. Ang tagal lang nating magising sa ating tunay na tungkulin sa kanya." — Director Boots Plata

"Yes, I can say with candor that I am a Filipino and to deny and defy that because the country is in the midst of trials can be considered a monumental fiasco." — Evangeline Pascual

"To be honest, I am no longer sure if I could be proud of being a Filipino. As a part-time expat, the two People Power gave me pride and the whole world saluted us! But the events that took place recently somehow erased that feeling. Why can’t our leaders live up to the promise of Edsa? How come personal ambitions are more important than the lives of the downtrodden Filipinos? Cry The Beloved Country!" — Director Gil Portes

"Yes, I am very proud to be a Filipino. In fact, I surrendered my green card because I want to be a Filipino forever. We’re very adaptable race. Kahit saan ilagay, magsu-survive. Hindi katulad ng mga ibang nasyon magrereklamo kaagad kapag hindi convenient. Pero tayo hindi. Para tayong bubble gum, kahit saan dalhin, dumidikit." — Ricky Reyes

"Yes, I’m proud to be a Filipino. I realize that because I enjoy the privilege of seeing other countries, nations. And I have ssen that there is a lot to be proud about being Filipino: Our color, our resilience, our language, our ability to adapt. If we can only stop putting ourselves down." — Ivan Mayrina

"Oo naman. Pinoy ako. From birth, til I die. We might be a third world country but there are 7,000 plus reasons to be proud of. Where else do you see a democratic country that exercises its rights everyday with the politics goin on her and all the protests. We exemplify freedom. It is a great reason to be proud or our country. Our history flows in our blood. In our hearts, makikita ang pagmamahal sa bayan natin. Jeremy Marquez for President!" — Jeremy Marquez

"After heading the Philippine delegation to the World Championship of the Performing Arts Competition where the Philippines bagged a total of 16 awards including the world champion award with only two contestants besting 51 countries, I cannot but be proud to be a Filipino. I have always believed in the Filipino talent and will continue to find avenues that would catapult the Filipino artist to his rightful place in the world." — Ida Henares

"I am proud to be a Filipino which is why I chose to live in Manila even if most of my husband’s family members are in the USA. There are many struggling Pinoys and I want to be able to contribute in anyway by inspiring them through songs we produce or concerts that reach out to lost souls. As I heard the laments of the ‘Wowowee’ victims in Medical City and the victims and orphans of the Leyte landslide, I felt my Filipino blood surging because they were such simple loving, poor people with few needs, who only want to be cared for. There is much to be done in this country and I want to be one of the catalysts who could be part of bringing out the best in my fellow Filipinos. Truly it is the poor provincial Filipinos that make me proud because through their poverty and simplicity, they still manage to smile, work industriously and thank God and have faith that the best is yet to come for us. Before the resurrection, crucifixion, I am proud to be Filipino because we have wonderful countrymen whose gifts and talents are just waiting to be harnessed through responsible and honest leadership of our supposed ‘public servants’." — Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano

"Yes, I am. Because there are no other people in the world who struggle so bravely to provide for their families. Overcoming trials and difficulties no matter how hard they are." — Melanie Marquez

"I’m proud being a Filipino. I’m proud of my heritage. We are the most creative people in the world. We adapt easily and do you guys ever notice all Filipinos know how to sing? Sing along with me folks. Pinoy Ako! Wohooo!" — Asia Agcaoili