The Filipino has been lied to

I feel so blessed that my work as an inspirational speaker allows me to travel all across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao where I get to engage with so many amazing audiences from all sectors of Filipino society. I consider myself so fortunate that we get to share our motivational message to some of the nation’s biggest organizations in both the private and public sector. My favorite engagements are always opportunities where I can meet the Filipino youth. I especially love getting the chance to get to know more about their story, their hopes and dreams for the future.

While I am listening to these inspiring young men and women I quickly realize that most of them are far more gifted and talented than I ever was at their age. Yet I am shocked that so many of these beautiful young Filipinos have such a low opinion of their own capability. As I listen to them, I begin to realize that so many of our Filipino youth don’t believe in themselves. Their negative self-talk is telling them that they are not good enough or that they not smart enough to become the leaders of tomorrow. They don’t believe in the greatness of their country or the opportunities there are in the Philippines to create extraordinary value for their fellow Filipinos. Worst of all, they believe that they are powerless to change anything. This breaks my heart. How did this happen?

How can so many of todays youth have such false limiting beliefs? How can they ever realize their potential if they continue to hold onto this disempowering mindset. First and foremost this is not their fault. These beautiful kids have been lied to. They have been told that they are not good enough or not smart enough. So where did these lies come from? It is easy for us to blame parents, government or social media, however I believe that the primary source of these lies has its roots in a long history of subservience to foreign masters. The “colonial hangover” is still the primary root cause of these lies.

My own country Ireland was colonized by England for 800 years, yet almost 100 years after independence some of my own countrymen and women still have our own version of this “colonial hangover”. Although being colonialized did bring many positive social changes to both the Philippines and Ireland, the greatest negative impact of prolonged occupation is the disempowered mindset it leaves on the oppressed people. A mindset that takes generations to recover from. Today so many of the Filipino youth are the victims of this mindset. There is a crisis of self-confidence, self-belief and self-worth. But times are changing. I believe that there is a growing minority of young Filipinos that will finally put an end to this “colonial hangover” once and for all.

These young Filipinos are choosing to making a stand. They are the Filipinos that are rejecting the lies of the past that they are not good enough or not smart enough. They are the Filipinos rejecting that status quo and the false belief that the Philippines will always be a 3rd world country. They are the Filipinos that are choosing to believe in the greatness within themselves and that greatness that lies within every Filipino. These are the Filipinos that are converting their beliefs into action. These Filipinos are my heroes.

In business they are Filipinos that are creating World-Class Filipino brands many of which I am a proud daily consumer: My favorite personal care products are Filipino (Human Nature), my favorite chocolate is Filipino (Malagos), my favorite ice tea is Filipino (Bayani Brew), my favorite coffee store is Filipino (Bo’s Coffee). These proudly Pinoy brands are truly world-class and in my opinion better than any of their foreign competitors. Smashing the false belief that foreign products are better than Filipino products. For me, these brave Filipino entrepreneurs are some of the most inspiring examples of Filipino Excellence you will ever meet. The will not be silenced.

I believe that the next decade will be the most defining decade in the history of the Philippines. There is a new generation of Filipinos, like never before, that are absolutely determined to end poverty in this nation and build a “walang iwanan” economy the like of which the world has never seen. That’s why I believe that the Philippines will inspire the world. The “colonial hangover” is fading. More and more Filipinos are choosing to believe in the greatness of this nation. The Rise of Pinoy has begun. This is the greatest time in history to be in the Philippines. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.

For comments, suggestions and reactions, contact Mike@mikegrogan.ph.

Mike Grogan is an International Speaker and Best-Selling Author who believes in the Genius of the Pinoy. As a Lean Management Coach, Irish native Mike has traveled to 39 countries around the world but he believes that there is something very special about the Filipino. Today he works as a consultant for People Dynamics, where he travels across the Philippines inspiring, empowering and motivating Pinoys every week to become World-Class and believe in the Filipino Dream.