Self-Flagellation Phenomenon in the Philippines
One of the most striking examples of colonial mentality in the Philippines is the practice of self-flagellation, or whipping oneself as a form of penance. This ritual, which is usually performed during Holy Week, is believed to have originated from Spanish colonizers who imposed their Catholic faith on the Filipinos. Some Filipinos still practice self-flagellation today, believing that it will cleanse them of their sins and bring them closer to God.
However, self-flagellation is not only a physical act, but also a psychological one. Many Filipinos suffer from a low self-esteem and a lack of appreciation for their own culture and achievements. They tend to bash and criticize anything that is made by their fellow countrymen, while praising and idolizing anything that comes from foreign countries. This is a sign of internalized oppression and a lack of national identity.
The Filipino self-flagellation phenomenon is a term that refers to the tendency of some Filipinos to criticize and belittle their own culture, achievements, and identity in favor of foreign ones. This phenomenon is often seen as a manifestation of colonial mentality, which is the internalized attitude of inferiority and dependency that results from centuries of colonization by Spain, the United States, and Japan.
A recent example of this phenomenon is the negative reaction of some Filipinos to the live-action remake of Voltes V, a popular Japanese anime series that aired in the Philippines in the 1970s. The remake, titled Voltes V: Legacy, is produced by GMA Network and features 100% Filipino-made CGI animation. However, instead of being proud and supportive of this local production, some Filipinos have been bashing and mocking it online, comparing it unfavorably to its foreign counterparts.
This is a sad and ironic situation, considering that Voltes V was one of the symbols of resistance and liberation during the martial law era. The show was banned by then-President Ferdinand Marcos for its subversive themes and messages. Many Filipinos grew up watching Voltes V and were inspired by its story of fighting against tyranny and oppression. Yet, some of them are now rejecting and ridiculing the very same show that they once loved and admired.
This shows that colonial mentality is still alive and well in the Philippines, even after decades of independence. It is a form of self-hatred and self-betrayal that prevents Filipinos from recognizing and celebrating their own talents and potentials. It is a hindrance to national development and progress. Likewise, it is time for Filipinos to stop flagellating themselves and start loving themselves. It is time for Filipinos to embrace their own culture and identity, and to appreciate their own achievements and contributions. It is time for Filipinos to be proud of being Filipino.
In this article, I will explore the causes, effects, and possible solutions to this phenomenon, as well as share some personal experiences and insights on how to overcome it. I hope that by reading this, you will gain a better understanding of yourself and your fellow Filipinos, and learn to appreciate the richness and diversity of our heritage.
Causes of self-flagellation
One of the main causes of self-flagellation is the lack of education and awareness about our own history, culture, and achievements. Many Filipinos grow up learning more about foreign countries than their own, and are exposed to media and entertainment that glorify Western or Asian standards of beauty, success, and morality. As a result, they develop a distorted and negative view of their own identity, and feel ashamed or inferior to others.
Another cause of self-flagellation is the lack of opportunities and resources in our country. Many Filipinos face poverty, corruption, violence, and injustice on a daily basis, and struggle to survive and thrive in a system that does not support them. They may feel hopeless or frustrated with their situation, and blame themselves or their country for their problems. They may also aspire to migrate to other countries, where they think they can have a better life.
A third cause of self-flagellation is the influence of colonialism and neocolonialism on our psyche. Colonialism is the political and economic domination of one country by another, while neocolonialism is the indirect control or exploitation of one country by another through cultural, economic, or political means. For more than 300 years, the Philippines was colonized by Spain, which imposed its religion, language, laws, and customs on the native population. The Philippines then became a colony of the United States for almost 50 years, which introduced its education, media, consumerism, and democracy to the country. The Philippines also suffered under Japanese occupation during World War II, which inflicted atrocities and horrors on the people.
These colonial experiences have left deep scars on our collective memory and identity. They have made us doubt our own capabilities and worth as a nation. They have made us dependent on foreign aid and intervention for our development and security. Not only that, but they have made us vulnerable to neocolonial influences that exploit our natural resources, labor force, and markets for their own benefit.
Effects of self-flagellation
Self-flagellation has many negative effects on our individual and collective well-being. Some of these effects are:
- Low self-esteem and confidence: Self-flagellation makes us feel unworthy and inadequate as individuals and as a group. We may suffer from inferiority complex or crab mentality, which is the tendency to pull down or sabotage others who are perceived as better or more successful than us.
- Loss of identity and culture: Self-flagellation makes us forget or reject our own roots and heritage. We may adopt foreign values or lifestyles that are incompatible with our own. We may neglect or abandon our own languages, traditions, arts, and customs.
- Lack of patriotism and nationalism: Self-flagellation makes us indifferent or hostile to our own country and people. We may not care about the issues or problems that affect our nation. We may not participate in civic activities or movements that aim to improve our society. Furthermore, we may even betray or harm our own interests for personal gain or foreign favor.
- Lack of innovation and creativity: Self-flagellation makes us unoriginal and conformist. We may not dare to think outside the box or challenge the status quo. We may not pursue our passions or talents. Furthermore, we may not contribute to the advancement of knowledge or culture. This can hinder our growth, development, or progress.
Self-flagellation is a harmful habit that we should avoid or overcome. Instead of being our own worst enemies, we should be our own best friends. We should appreciate and celebrate our strengths and achievements, while acknowledging and learning from our weaknesses and failures. We should respect and preserve our identity and culture, while embracing and appreciating diversity and difference. Likewise, we should love and serve our country and people, while cooperating and collaborating with other nations and peoples. We should nurture and express our innovation and creativity, while supporting and inspiring others to do the same.
