By: Tals Diaz
Philippine Daily Inquirer , Page C1 - Jan.21,2006

We don't always need a revolution to come together and unite.

We can come together with something small, and yet still be able to raise our fists in the air to make a statement. The common bond is a little band: a piece of braided abaca worn on our wrists to signify being a Filipino that's truly proud to be one. (Quite literally a twist to the Livestrong advocacy). It's all part of The Yabang Pinoy campaign, aimed to raise Filipino pride and heighten our collective dignity. Abaca, commonly known as the Manila hemp worldwide, is considered as the strongest natural fiber that is indigenous to the Philippine islands. The bands are crafted by underprivileged communities living in stilt houses, so you can even get to help out with every bracelet you buy.

The campaign was founded by a group of Filipinos who realized that one of the biggest problems faced by the Philippines today is Filipinos not believing enough in their nationality.|

All you need to do is email info@yabangpinoy.com to answer the question, “Ano g maipagyayabang mo bilang isang Pilipino?” together with your name and contact number. The best testimonials are collated on the website, www.yabangpinoy.com.

Call it a cool revolution, a cool Pinoy revolution. Wear the band and raise your fists in the air, not to overthrow, but to uplift. Yabang, ‘noh?

By Pamela Ayson
AAVA NEWS – Ayala Alabang Village Community Magazine Vol. 8 Issue 06

Imagine the world without Filipinos. It's probably a bit different. No, come on, examine and really imagine what it's like for a world to exist without us balut-eating species. For sure it would be a surprise for you and you'll realize that it's completely different.

If there were no Pinoys, the Karaoke that was invented by Roberto del Rosario, will not exist. On a more serious note, if Fe del Mundo wasn't born, studies that contributed to the invention of the incubator would not have surfaced. Millions and millions of babies would have had difficulty fighting for their lives if not for that piece of equipment.

More examples? Simple lang! Kung walang Pinoy, walang fishballs, walang jeep, walang Manny Pacquiao, maraming wala. Pati ikaw, wala rin.

Anywhere you go, there's a Filipino that is making the world go round in his own little way. Sadly, the usual case is, many Filipinos have little faith in themselves. More often than not, many Pinoys aspire to be someone else they are not.

Grass may seem greener on the other side, but really, it is time to change that way of thinking. We have to start looking at ourselves to finally realize that this nation, with its culture and identity, is filled with so many things to be truly proud of and to be happy with. This is what “Yabang Pinoy” is all about.

A bunch of young, active and nationalistic Filipinos realized that one of the gravest problems faced by the Philippines today is Filipinos not believing in their nationality and doubting their identity. Thus, the “Yabang Pinoy” campaign was born.

This advocacy aims to raise awareness and heighten Filipino people's ethos, dignity and pride by making a statement through the use of a piece of braided abaca band. The abaca band, crafted by underprivileged communities and made from the strongest natural fiber that is unique to the Philippines, aims to constantly remind Filipinos that we are tough, resilient, and exceptional. .

If you have been looking for a way to constantly remind the Filipino people to take pride of their nationality and to unite the Filipino people in believing in themselves and in fellow Filipinos— this is a way!

We might wake up one day confused with our identity, or are we already? Let's all join hands and unite before it's too late. Or better yet, wear that band and be proud. It's about that time that we join forces and start rebuilding our nation. Be that person to ignite. Spark that fire fueled by your precious Filipino blood.

Being Pinoy is enough reason, not just to have an excuse to eat balut, but to be proud and to inspire us to make our positive contribution in this world. It will not just be the same without us! Kaya, patunayang may karapatan kang mabuhay sa mundong ito at ibagyabang mo na ikaw ay Pinoy! As the song goes, “Pinoy ako, Pinoy tayo, ibang-iba ang Pinoy, huwag kang matatakot.” Baduy daw oh! Hindi baduy. Pinoy!

By: Jon Carlos Rodriguez
AAVA News - Ayala Alabang Village Community Magazine Vol.8 Issue 07

We are just a cog in this machine. We are the Philippines, where athletes are proclaimed as "heroes", where boxers get a call from the President on live television, where people's affinity for television can be life-threatening, and where there are over 90 Starbucks coffeehouses.

As Filipinos, we have been stepped on, exalted, humiliated, and praised. We can go from zero to hero in ten minutes, and then back to zero after a few weeks. Roughly two months have passed in this new year, and already, Filipinos have been on an emotional rollercoaster. Just after we heard about a certain victorious, heroic boxer who has an album made us stand tall and proud to be a Filipino, news came out that made us cringe in fear and sympathy as we witnessed an unfortunate event of losing over 70 Filipinos. They can debate all they want, and play the blame game as long as they wish, but nothing will change the fact that there is something wrong with you and me, and the lines that are drawn between you and me, that keeps you from sharing the same room with me, can never be crossed as long as the, no not security, but obscurity of politics, religion, and media exists. In just two months, we saw a GenSan native turn from a boxing hero to a singer, to a boxing hero/singer with a lovechild. We saw a fun, entertaining, "for-the-people" game show turn to a disastrous, tragic, mishap. And, to think, it's only February.

In a time where the world is a war away from imploding, it is comforting to know that Filipinos are recognized around the world, doing well, showing excellence in their professions, because it certainly helps knowing that we are welcome, that we are part of something. Because really, who wants to feel left out, right? Definitely not the smart one, the musician, the cheerdancer, or the jock. One thing I've learned from hearing other countries that speak of their accomplishments, is that countries, much like humans, need to have an identity, to stand out, to be remembered by, to make a mark in the world.

In comes "Yabang Pinoy", a campaign that promotes pride in being a Filipino. Not unlike other socially-aware organizations before it, Yabang Pinoy adheres to using a band to distinguish those showing their support. But unlike the usual white band, or yellow band that other campaigns are accustomed to, Yabang Pinoy uses the natural fiber Abaca. Maybe someone in the "powers-that-be" department decided that awareness bracelets made of rubber just don't cut it for us Filipinos. Besides, what better to represent us strong, resilient Filipinos, other than strong, resilient abaca? It may be fashionable, but its purpose is not exclusive to fashion alone. Wearing it would proclaim your pride in being a Filipino, but more importantly, it demonstrates support for our own homeland's products. The band costs as much as a pirated cd, so the next time you purchase your precious cd, think of Yabang Pinoy and ponder on the importance of supporting a devious, rich businessman or businesswoman who burns cd's with reckless abandon. Or, you can ponder on the importance of supporting our indigenous brothers and sisters, who crafted the abaca bracelet. Should we be proud being a Filipino? Why not? I, myself, don't see any reason why I shouldn't be proud. Sins and crimes of my fellow citizens does not make us less of a Filipino, or less of a human being for that matter. And what they've taken from us, whatever that may be, they no longer owe to us, but it is something they owe to the world. At least that's how I see it. Because after all, we are just a cog in this machine. We are the Philippines, where people are said to be needy but a bulk are cellphone-dependent, and where there are over 90 Starbucks coffeehouses.

  YABANG MO MEN and DLSU
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