At least ganun ako dati, and I struggle on it from time to time.

Madalas na sabihin na Filipinos have an inferiority complex. Rather, we tend to have simultaneous superiority and inferiority complexes. Or to rephrase, we tend to see ourselves or the country as main characters.

The inferiority complex is reality shattering the initial feelings of superiority or exceptionalism. Napaisip na ako, why are we so engrossed with comparing ourselves with our geographic neighbors? Bakit gutom tayo sa validation?

May point ang looking outside the country to find what needs to be improved within. Ang problema lang, naliligaw ang rason kung bakit gusto natin umasenso ang Pilipinas. I admire the drive, kaso lang, madalas, gusto lang natin na gumanda ang Pilipinas para lang masabi unironically “Pilipinas Numbawan!”.

To me, eto ang obvious na reason kung bakit tayo obsessed na ikumpara sarili natin sa iba.

Tama nga na instead, we should compare us to ourselves in the past. Are we better than our past selves? Dapat, gusto natin umunlad ang Pilipinas kasi gusto natin sumaya ang buhay ng kapwa Pilipino.