WHAT IS AN EDUCATED FILIPINO

by : Francisco Benitez

SYNOPSIS:
Francisco Benitez was one of the foremost educators of the Philippines. As an
educator, he believed that education could make the country stable and progressive and that
every Filipino child should have the right to an education in order to develop his
potentials to the full. He also strongly advocated the development of the spirit of
nationalism, particularly in the youth, the development of internationalism, and of the
national language.
What is an Educated Filipino is a timely essay that comprehensively tackles the
new and modified definition of an educated Filipino. It does not merely discuss what an
educated Filipino is, rather, it entices its Filipino readers to change their view and act
upon it. The essay also stresses on the idea of knowing ones own race and culture and
possesses good moral values aside from his/her knowledge gathered in the school.
It began with describing the qualities that should distinguish the educated
Filipino of today. This mainly includes the power to do which describes the need of
power to translate reflection into action. Benitez believes that we are coming more and
more to the conviction that no Filipino has the right to be considered educated unless he is
prepared and ready 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.
The educated Filipino, in the second place, should be distinguished not only by his
knowledge of the past and current events in the world's progress, but more 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?
The educated Filipino, in the 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 many not be
at the mercy of the pleasures of the senses or a burden to himself when alone.

INTERPRETATION:
Education is a term which is more easily understood than defined. It is a process
of self-expression, thus an individual expresses himself through education. These innate
powers and potentialities are developed and drawn out through education. It is a process
by which he is brought into proper relationship with the ideas and meals, customs and
traditions of the society.
We Filipinos are given the right to be educated, but what are the attitudes that we
must possess to be called an educated Filipino? I think this is the time for us to have
the ingredients of education. We must have the ability, the knowledge and the mindset that
will help us nurture ourselves and others. Education makes a man who he is and what he
does. It chooses his faith and when he is on the right path, he leaves him in his own,
make his own decisions with his new life with education. It shows the surrounding
people who you are, what you like and what you dont. Education has to be used the right
way to be drive out the most of life. Only education can help you in the future, so why
abuse it, and take it if you can!
First, an educated Filipino is a good son or daughter to their parents or good
parents to their children. Despite the situation, a good son or daughter or good parents
upholds the family integrity and will always plan for whats best for the family. A good
son or daughter or good parents always take pride on being a member of the family and
will always look out for the best interest in the clan.
Secondly, an educated Filipino will have a heart fir humanity, a sympathy for
fellowmen, a Filipino that will look out for welfare not only to the sick, but also to the
displaced and disadvantage: a Filipino who will take time in participating in charity
works, community outreached and volunteer community services.
Latly, the educated Filipino is one who is deep-rooted in ones speech and
conduct. One must put into practice those elements recognized as concomitant to culture
and morality. Hence, one makes use of such elements for ones growth as an individual and
for a nations development as a whole.


Mikee C. Sta. Ana