Delicadeza

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Do you still remember that television commercial that was made in the 1980's by San Miguel Corporation promoting Filipino values such as "Bayanihan," "Pag-galang sa nakatatanda," "Pakikisama"or that of my favorite one as uttered by an elderly man wearing a barong-tagalog, " Mga kababayan, ating buhayin ang Delicadeza?"

Delicadeza is a Spanish term which when translated in English means daintiness. It is defined as an act of being refined or delicate in tastes or manners. But in simple terms, its commonly referred to as a sense of propriety or how to behave rightly in all circumstances. It is in essence an etiquette that was passed on to us as a legacy of the Spanish culture.

In the television commercial, they portrayed this Filipino value by showing an elected official politely declining an offer of some unknown patrons to pay for his family's meal in a restaurant. In that short but very effective demonstration of this value, the official was about to pay when his son told him that the people in the other table already paid on their behalf. The man privately confronted his son and told him why it's not proper for him to accept their generosity. And then he walked towards the unknown strangers and gave them their money and walked away.

This Filipino moral value is all but loss in today's present generation. Today, anyone it seems can be bought with a price. Not just in politics but in all aspects of Philippine life be it in education, religion, social mores, and daily dealings of the common people. Other countries in Asia like Japan in particular have their own counterpart for this moral value as entrenched in their traditional code of bushido wherein honor, self-discipline, bravery and simple living are incorporated in their daily lives. Any hint of misgiving or doubt, much less scandal and abuse of power whether true or not that would besmirch their good name was dealt with accordingly by withdrawing themselves from public office or position of authority preferring to resign rather than dishonor their family's name and reputation.

Maybe this is what is lacking in our society today. The gradual death of these time-honored traditions that were passed on to us by our parents and grandparents have contributed to the lack of discipline and general disintegration of social values in our younger generation who for lack of role models to emulate have become disillusioned with the seeming helplessness and malaise that permeates our society. The Filipino soul has been bereft and has become either shallow or completely empty. We don't notice but it chops down on every Filipino's core by slowly taking away what little is left of his dignity, self-esteem and respect. I'm afraid that pretty soon we would all but lose our ethical moorings and instead become cold and heartless individuals with no regard for authority and are only after our own self interests and gratification.

Our identity as a nation and a people should be preserved by hanging on to our cultural values and making sure that our future generation will not forget them. We can set the example to our own children by teaching them these things. The only positive contribution we can give hinges on passing on these traditions and constantly reminding those in our midst who have seem to forgot our humble beginnings. Indeed the country's future can be gleaned from its past.

Edgar Millan

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