Philippines claims Half-Pinoys

Many half-Pinoys around the world have risen in recent times, whether in sports, entertainment, politics and business. And sure enough, the Philippines always claim them as its own, even if they don't speak the language or haven't been to the country.

Is it really a bad thing? I don't think so.

The recent victory of Marlisa Punzalan in 'The X-Factor Australia' again shows how the Philippines claims people like her as Filipino. Many news articles report, "Pinay teen wins X-Factor' or something like that. Many netizens would also comment 'Pinoy Pride' and 'Proud to be Filipino'. While there are a lot of positive comments, there are also those who say, she's not Filipino and therefore, the Philippines should not brand her as Pinoy.

It is true that Marlisa and other Fil-foreigners are not Filipinos legally, but I really don't see anything wrong with using the word 'Filipino' to describe them, at least in the title of an article. I also don't see anything wrong with being proud of them or being happy that a half-Pinoy accomplished something in the international stage.

I guess Filipinos express admiration for the half-Pinoys primarily because of their achievements, and in a way, it also makes them happy that somehow someone from their homeland fulfilled his or her dreams. It makes Filipinos happy that if she/he can make it, then perhaps many more Filipinos can also make it. Plus with all the bad news in the country, news about half-Pinoys are a welcome change. It's a feel-good story.

As many know, families and communities are big in the Philippines, where blood is thicker than water. And knowing someone has a Filipino blood kinda makes that person part of the one big Filipino community. Who knows, perhaps Marlisa is your cousin in the 10th degree.

Supporting half-Pinoys around the world is not a bad thing, but at the same time we should also support the Filipinos here in the country and help them develop their talents in various fields.