nd just like that, the year 2013 is almost over. It was a bittersweet year for our beloved nation, a year of typhoons and tax scandals, a year of Ryzza Mae Dizon and Daniel Padilla, a year of a rising and falling economy, depending on who you ask.

But yes, despite all the hitches, we just wipe our eyebrows clean and continue to thump our chests with Pinoy pride. Here are 8 telltale signs that you’ve been a true, blue Pinoy for the past twelve months.

Youve-tried-a-cronut-8

The cronut, a pastry that can be described as the mutant love-child of a croissant and a donut, may as well be the national food of 2013. Every doughnut and bakeshop from Dunkin’ Donuts to Le Coeur De France hawked this sinful loop of sugary goodness and Filipinos everywhere caught the bug.

 

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Whether you joined the rallies all over the country or simply shared your irate comments on social media, you more or less expressed outrage over the lavish lifestyles of the Napoleses and the unabashed depravity of our country’s politicians. You have had it. You’ve popped an artery or two. You are one angry Filipino.

 

You-ve-volunteered-or-donated-to-victims-of-Typhoon-Yolanda-6

It goes without saying that in times of natural disasters, Filipinos are more than ready to lend a helping hand. With one of the most devastating typhoons recorded in history hitting our shores, it was an inspiring sight to see Filipinos volunteering, donating, selling their goods for a truly worthy cause. You went out of your way to help. (Opportunistic douchebags notwithstanding.)

 

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From the modest, raised-in-the-convent, conservative types we once were, Filipinos are quickly becoming more narcissistic by the day, no small thanks to the smartphone and a 3G connection.

You’ve posed your chance encounters with Ramon Bautista. You’ve flaunted your yoga-sculpted butt cheeks or your abs of steel. You’ve humble-bragged the minutest of victories, from being the first customer of a tony restaurant to winning a vacuum cleaner from a Facebook contest.

 

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You noticed an improvement in the quality of teleseryes. Plots are more risque now and are veering away from boring Cinderella formulas. You’re hooked. You’ve welcomed these characters into your very homes.

 

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Not all was fire and brimstone in our arcihpelago as you probably cried tears of joy as our very own Megan Young was crowned Miss World for 2013. It’s no small feat, indeed, as she is the first Filipina to win this seat.

 

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Give us Filipinos an Internet connection and the power of anonymity, and we become demigods on Facebook. You suddenly feel this surge of empowerment. You are now as powerful as ABS-CBN and GMA7. You can broadcast your own thoughts and opinions at the click of a mouse.

So for every misplaced joke Vice Ganda has made and for that drunken monologue Anne Curtis delivered, you’ve snarked once or twice on social media. Such is your power.

 

Youre-even-more-proudly-Pinoy-after-all-the-calamities-1

You can only shrug, “What else is new?” You’ve given up on the government. You’ve become a bit more prepared when the next one comes knocking. But yes, you are Filipino. You never give up.

How Pinoy were you in 2013? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the Comments Section.

Wincy Aquino Ong

Wincy Aquino Ong is a writer, musician, filmmaker, actor, and comic book illustrator. His works have been published in The Philippine Star and Esquire. His horror fiction was part of Neil Gaiman's Expeditions anthology. He is best known for the indie film San Lazaro, which was released in 2011.

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