PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

ACTIVITY # 1

NAME: Year & Sec: Date:

What Is An Educated Filipino?

Francisco Benitez

1. Great changes have taken place in the nature of our social life during the last twenty years. The contact with
Americans and their civilization has modified many of our old social customs, traditions, and practices, some for
the worse and many for the better. The means of communication have improved, and therefore better
understanding exists among the different sections in our country. Religious freedom has developed
religious tolerance in our people. The growth of the public schools and the establishment of democratic
institutions have developed our national consciousness both in strength and in solidarity.

2. With this growth of national consciousness and national spirit among our people, we witness the
corresponding rise of a new conception of education — the training of the individual for the duties and privileges
of a citizen not only for his own happiness and efficiency, but for national service and welfare as well. In the
old days, education was matter of private concern; now it is public function, and the state not only has the duty
but has the right as well to educate every member of the community as well as the young, women as
well as men — not only for the good of the individual bat also for the self- preservation and self-
protection of the state itself. Our modern public school system has been established as a safeguard
against the shortcomings and dangers of a democratic government and democratic institutions.

3. In the light of social changes, we come to the question: What qualities should distinguish the educated
Filipino of today? I venture to suggest that the educated Filipino should first be distinguished by the power
to do. The Oriental excels in reflective thinking; he is a philosopher. The Occidental is a doer; he manages things,
men, and affairs. The Filipino of today needs more of this power to translate reflection into action, I believe that
we are coming more and more to the conviction that no Filipino has the right to be considered educated
unless he is prepared to take an active and useful part in the work, life, and progress of our country as well as in
the progress of the world.

4. The power to do embraces the ability to produce enough to support oneself and to contribute to the
economic development of the Philippines. Undoubtedly, a man may be, and often is, an efficient producer of
economic goods and at the same time he may not be educated. But should we consider a man who is
utterly unable to support himself and is an economic burden to the society in which he lives educated
merely because he possesses the superficial graces of culture? I hope that no one will understand me as saying
that the only sign of economic efficiency is the ability to produce material goods, for useful social
participation may take the form of any of the valuable services rendered to society through such institutions
as the home, the school, the church, and the government. The mother, for example, who prepares wholesome
meals, takes good care of her children, and trains them in moral and right conduct at home — she renders
efficient service to the country as well as does the statesman or the captain of industry. I would not make the
power to do the final and only test of the educated Filipino: but I believe that in our present situation, it is
fundamental and basic.

5. The educated Filipino, in the second place, should be distinguished not only by his knowledge of the past
and of current events in the world's progress but also especially by his knowledge of his race, his people, and his
country, and his love of the truths and ideals that our people have learned to cherish. Our character, our culture,
and our national history are the core of our national life and, consequently, of our education. I would not have the
educated Filipino ignore the culture and history of other lands, but can he afford to be ignorant of the
history and culture of his own country and yet call himself educated?

6. The educated Filipino, in third place, must have ingrained in his speech and conduct those elements that are
everywhere recognized as accompaniments of culture and morality, so that, possessing the capacity for
self-entertainment and study, he may not be at the mercy of the pleasure of the senses or a burden to himself
when alone.
7. There are, then, at least three characteristics which I believe to be the evidence of the educated
Filipino — (1) the power to do, to support himself, and contribute to the wealth of our people; (2)
acquaintance with the world's progress, especially with that of his race, people, and community, together
with love of our best ideals and traditions; and (3) refined manners and moral conduct, as well as the power of
growth.
Comprehending the Text c. religious freedom has developed
A. Fill in the blanks to best complete the idea of religious tolerance
each statement. Give the letter that corresponds d. the public school system was established as
to your choice. a safeguard against the dangers of
democracy
1. Based on the first two sentences, the essay
was most probably written in the 6. The author gives the roost importance to the
. Filipino as a .
a. 1920s c. 1940s b. 1960s a. thinker c. doer
d. 1980s b. citizen d. gentleman

2. The essay directly states that education is 7. The purpose of the author is to . a. give a
for the good of both the individual and . profile of an educated Filipino
a. his parent c. his b. define democracy
community c. explain the benefits of good
b. the school d. his country education
d. compare the old and the new
3. According to the selection, the growth concept of education
of public schools and the establishment of
democratic institutions have developed 8. The essay states that the core of our national life
consists of our character, our culture, and our
a. national pride a. values c. education b.
b. religious freedom national history d. ideals
c. national consciousness d.
religious tolerance 9. The writer believes that the Westerner is a doer
4. This power in the statement in Number while the Oriental is a -
3 refers to the power a. worker c. manager b. lover
a. to translate c. of growth b. to do d. thinker
d. to know
5. The essay implies that . 10. The educated Filipino is not ignorant of his
a. the educated Filipino has the power to do country's .
b. there are built-in dangers to a. future c. debts b. destiny
democracy d. history

B. Put a check before the word or phrase that characterizes the educated Filipino.
1. a man of action 8. knows his country and his people
2. a reflective thinker 9. has refined manners and speech
3. productive 10. prepares wholesome meals
4. efficient 11. has good moral character
5. merciful _12. can support himself
6. serve his country _13. powerful
7. ignorant 14. loves truths and ideal