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100 Best Things of Being Pinoy

61. Barong Tagalog. Enables men to look formal & dignified without having to strangle themselves with a necktie. Worn well, it makes any oridinary Juan look marvelously makisig.

62. Filipinas. They mae the best friends, lovers, wives. Too bad they can't say the same for Filipinos.

63. Filipinos. So maybe they're bolero & macho with an occasional streak of generic infidelity; they do know how to make a woman feel like one.

64. Catholicism. What fun would sin be without guilt? Jesus Christ is firmly planted on Philippine soil.

65. Dolphy. Our favorite, ultra-durable comedian gives the beleaguered Pinoy everyman an odd dignity, even in drag.

66. Style. Something we often prefer over substance. But every Filipino claims it is a birthright.

67. Bad Tastes. Clear plastic coverson the vinyl-upholestered sofa, posters of poker playing dogs masquerading as art, over accessorized jeepneys & altars, the list is endless & wealth only seems to magnify it.

68. Mangoes. Crisp & tart, or luciously ripe, they evoke memories of family outings & endless sunshine in a heart shaped package.

69. Unbridled Optimism. Why we rank so low in the suicide scale.

70. Street Food. Barbeque, lugaw, banana-cue, fishballs, isaw (chicken entrails), adidas (chicken feet), warm taho. Forget about hepatitis, here's cheap tasty food with a gritty ambience.

71. The Siesta. Snoozing in the middle of the day is smart, not lazy.

72. Honorifics & Courteous Titles. Kuya, ate, diko, ditse, ineng, totoy, ingkong, aling, mang, manong, manang. No exact english translation, but these words connote respect, deference & the value placed on kinship.

73. Heroes & people who Stood up for Truth & Freedom. Lapu-lapu started it all & other heroes & revolutionaries followed: Diego Silang, Macario Sakay, Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Melchora Aquino, Gregorio Del Pilar, Gabriela Silang, Miguel Malvar, Francisco Balagtas, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Panday Pira, Emilio Jacinto, Raha Suliman, Antonio Luna, Gomburza, Emilio Aguinaldo, the heroes of Bataan & Corregidor, Pepe Diokno, Satur Ocampo, Dean Armado Malay, Evelio Javier, Ninoy Aquino, Lola Rosa & other comfort women who spoke up, honest cabbie Emilio Avincula, Rona Mahilum, the women lawyers who did not let Jaloslos get away with rape.

74. Flora & Fauna. The dugong (sea cows), the tarsier, calamian deer, bearcat, Philippine eagle, sampaguita, ilang-ilang, camia, pandan, the creatures that make our archepelago unique.

75. Pilipino Songs & Composers. OPM: "Ama Namin, Lupang Hinirang, Gaano ko Ikaw Kamahal, Ngayon at Kailanman, Anak, Handog, Hindi Kita Malilimutan, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit," Ryan Cayabyab, George Cansenco, Restie Umali, Levi Celerio, Manuel Francisco, Freddie Aguilar, Florante, living examples of our musical gifts.

76. Metro Aides. They started out as Imelda Marcos' groupies, but have gallantly proven their worth. Against all odds, they continously prove that cleanliness is next to godliness.

77. Sari-sari Stores. There's one in every corner, offering everything from bananas and floor wax, to band-aid & bakya.

78. Philippine National Red Cross. PAWS. Caritas. Fund drives. They help us help each other.

79. Favorite TV Shows through the Years. "Tawag ng Tanghalan, John & Marsha, Campoy, Ryan, Ryan Musikahan, Kwarto o Kahon, Public Forums/Live, Student Canteen, Eat Bulaga." In the age of inane variety shows, they have redeemed Philippine television.

80. Quirks of Language. It will make any tourist crazy with "Baba ba? Oo, bababa!"

81. Expressions. "Sayang, naman, kadiri, pala, ano ba?" Expressions that defy translations but wrings out feeling genuinely Pinoy.

82. Cookfighting. Filipino men loves it more than their wives (sometimes).

83. Dr. Jose Rizal. A category on himself. Hero, medicine man, genius, athlete, sculptor, fictionist, poet, essayist, husband, lover, samaritan, martyr. Truly someone to emulate & be proud of, anytime, anywhere.

84. Nora Aunor. Short, dark & homely looking. She redefined how leading ladies should look like.

85. Noranian or Vilmanian. Defines the friendly rivalry between Ate Guy & Ate Vi for so many years. The only way to be for many fans.

86. Filipino Christmas. The world's longest holiday season. A perfect ecuse to mix our love for feasting, gift giving & music & wrap it up with a touch of religion.

87. Relatives & Kababayan Abroad. The best refuge against lonliness, discrimination & confusion in a foreign place. Distant relatives & fellow Pinoys readily roll out the welcome mat even on a basis of a phone introduction or referral.

88. Festivals. Sinulog, Ati-atihan, Moriones. Sounds, colors, pagan, frenzy & christian overtones.

89. Folk Dances. Tinikling, pandanggo sa ilaw, karinosa, kuratsa, itik-itik, alitaptap, rigodon. All the right moves & a distinct rhythm.

90. Native Wear & Costumes. Baro't saya, tapis, terno, saya, salakot, bakya. Lovely form & ingenious functions in the way we dress.