Pliant Like the Bamboo
I. The mango tree and the bamboo had a disagreement.
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II. The Filipino is like the bamboo.
A. The Spaniards came
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B. The Americans came
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C. The invaders came
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III. The Filipino is a philosopher.
A. To him, “The past
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B. He has a saying that life
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C. He has a sense of
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D. In times of hardship, he says to himself,
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E. Being accused of indolence, he answers back,
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IV. The Filipino has various means of survival.
A. Despite problems, he
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B. His literature is
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C. He has the gift of
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V. The bamboo is symbolic of the Filipino national character.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
I. The mango tree and the bamboo had a disagreement. The proud mango tree boasted of its beauty and the delicious taste of its fruits, while the humble bamboo remained silent. A strong typhoon came and uprooted the mango tree, while the bamboo remained standing because it bent and swayed with the wind.
II. The Filipino is like the bamboo. A. The Spaniards came and tried to colonize the Philippines, but the Filipinos resisted and fought for their freedom. B. The Americans came and introduced new ideas and systems, which the Filipinos embraced and integrated into their own culture. C. The invaders came and tried to conquer the country, but the Filipinos remained resilient and fought for their sovereignty.
III. The Filipino is a philosopher. A. To him, "The past is the roots, the present is the trunk, and the future is the fruit." B. He has a saying that life is like a wheel, sometimes up, sometimes down. C. He has a sense of humor that allows him to laugh at his problems and find joy in life. D. In times of hardship, he says to himself, "Pain is only temporary, but victory is forever." E. Being accused of indolence, he answers back, "We are not lazy, we are just waiting for the right time."
IV. The Filipino has various means of survival. A. Despite problems, he remains optimistic and finds ways to overcome them. B. His literature is rich in folklore, legends, and myths that reflect his history and values. C. He has the gift of hospitality, welcoming and sharing with others his blessings and resources.
V. The bamboo is symbolic of the Filipino national character because it represents strength, resilience, adaptability, and humility. Just like the bamboo, the Filipinos bend but do not break in times of adversity, and they remain grounded in their cultural heritage while embracing new ideas and technologies.